2020 The LSU Game

This game always scares because unusual things happen in this historic rivalry. Auburn is a 3 point underdog at home. A win would be huge. A loss would be bad. This is the afternoon game on CBS. FIRST QUARTER The teams swap possessions before Auburn punts to the LSU one. The teams swap possessions again as Auburn can only get to midfield on its second possession. No score at the end of the first quarter. SECOND QUARTER First play of the quarter LSU misses a 54 FG attempt. So far it lookds like this kind of game where a little here or there could decide it. Nothing exciting about either team. AFter the missed FG our offense finally shows some life. There is a completion to Seth Williams who loses possession off the ball as he steps out of bounds at the oe. The call on the field is completion. The LSU player recovered the ball in the end zone. The call on the field is overturned and LSU gets possession on a touchback. Weird plays like this happen all the time in this game. If we lose this play will be big. Pritchett gets a big interception. Initial call was a 52 yard return to the end zone. Review should he stepped out of bounds on the 5. Bigsby to the one but guess what. Illegal formation moves us back five. But on the next play Stove takes the short pass to paydirt. Auburn 7 LSU 0 LSU crosses midfied before punting to the end zone. Auburn punts it back inside the LSU 25. The LSU QB fumbles and Christian Tutt scoops at the 20 and runs it in. Defense is dominating for the Tigers. Auburn 14 LSU 0 LSU punts to our one but on the first play Bigsby runs out over the 25. The Tigers push to the LSU 34. Auburn drives 99 yards for the touchdown. The score coming on a short compeltion into the end zone to a wide open Capers. Well designed play. Auburn 21 LSU 0 On the last play of the half LSU gets a 51-yd. field goal. Auburn 21 LSU 3 THIRD QUARTER Auburn marches right down the field mixing the run and the pass. First and goal on the five Nix fakes to Bigsby and runs it in around left end. We are seeing the Auburn offense come alive in this game. Auburn 28 LSU 3 First play from scrimmage on a tipped ball at the line of scrimmage, Big Kat grabs it, and AU starts at the LSU 20. First and goal at the 6. Bigsby powers in from the 2 on third down. Auburn takes advantage of another LSU turnover. Auburn 35 LSU 3 LSU changes quarterbacks and goes three and out. The Tigers drive across midfield thanks to the nifty feet of Bo Nix. First down to the 12. Bigsby runs it in from the 4 untouched. All of a sudden this is the Auburn offense we've been waiting for. 69 yards in 12 plays as the third quarter winds down. Auburn 42 LSU 3 The quarter ends with Auburn in command. FOURTH QUARTER Auburn ball after LSU punts to start the fourth quarter. First play from the 9 Nix hits Schwartz in stride for a 91 TD pass. He was several steps behind the defender. I have been waiting for this for a long time! Auburn 48 LSU 3 Loy comes in to finish the game and Bo sits down after passing for exactly 300 yards and running for 81. LSU gets a touchdown pass. Auburn 48 LSU 11 LSU regains possession and drives to the Auburn 25 but run out of downs as the Tigers get a big sack on 4th and 7. Our Tigers run out the clock. FINAL SCORE AUBURN 48 LSU 11 That was a good one on both sides of the ball and no turnovers. Big day for Bo Nix and the defense.

Auburn vs. Ole Miss highlights

2020 The Ole Miss Game

It seems to me that the season is in peril. At 2 & 2 the season is on the brink. Lose this one and the reaction will be ugly. It was bad last week losing to South Carolina, a team we clearly should have beaten. Somehow Auburn is a 3.5 favorite at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. The game kicks off at 11 on the SEC Network. The Rebs are 1 and 3. How did they lose to Arkansas last week? They can score points. I do not see how the Tigers can keep up. FIRST QUARTER Both teams go three and out to start the game. Ole Miss is trying to run early. The Rebels drive to a third and goal from the four when Auburn intercepts in the end zone on a poorly thrown pass. From their five Auburn is quickly out over their 30 behind the Tank. First down to midfield. First down to the Ole Miss 39. First down to the 19. First down to the 8. Nix to the four but loses the ball. Call on the field is that he was down. The play is reviewed and the call on the field stands. Close! Bigsby scores on the next play thru the line standing up. That was a nice drive on the ground with only one pass that I can remember. Smash mash football. Auburn 7 Ole Miss 0 The Rebels get a big run by the QB on third and 4 and are all the way to the Auburn 32. Like Auburn they are running the football. The quarter ends with OM just inside the Red Zone keeping the ball on the ground and having success. SECOND HALF TD pass from the 7 on third down. Auburn 7 Ole Miss 0 It looks like our defense cannot stop their offense which I figured would be the case. The really disappointing thing is that all of their success is on the ground. Their run game is gashing our defense. Can our offense keep up? I don't see it happening. This is exactly how I figured this game would go only I did not think they would run the ball like this. The Tigers punch out two quick first downs behind Shivers runs. First down to the OM 20. First and goal from the 4. Touchdown Bo Nix on the keeper around left end. Auburn 14 Ole Miss 7 The Rebs try to draw Auburn offsides on 4th 5 but it doesn't work. The Rebs go for it anyway and pickup the first down. Then we are called for interference in the end zone. First down OM at our 25. OM keeps converting third downs. Not good. And they continue to gash us on the ground. Touchdown Ole Miss. Auburn 14 Ole Miss 14 3:35 left in the half. This is a low-grade shootout so far. I continue to doubt our offense can keep up. WE drive to midfied but the drive stalls with 46 seconds left. The punt leaves the playing field on the 10. 36 seconds left. One play and the clock expires. At the half this is truly anybody's game. THIRD QUARTER Bigsby runs the kickoff back the distance but AU is called for holding. We begin on the 20. We get to our 49 before running out of downs. This is the problem. We cannot sustain drives like they can. And NOW our punter cannot handle a high snap. Ole Miss is one our 25. This is a turnover, the last thing we needed to open the second half. Our defense holds bringing up 4th and 5. It's a fake FG attempt and we stuff it! That is HUGE! We move to 4th and less than a yard and we punt. I am disappointed but we back OM up to their 11 on the punt. We will look back if we lose this game to offensive ineffectiveness early in the half. Quickly Ole Miss gets a long completion and they are inside our 10. We will be behind shortly and to play catch up. They had a receiver wide open with no defender around. First play inside the 10 touchdown. Ole Miss goes 89 hards in three plays. Yikes. Auburn 14 Ole Miss 21 We are behind now. It will be very difficult to win this game since our defense cannot stop their offense and our offense cannot keep up. This is just what I predicted. We drop the kickoff and start on our 12. If we don't score here the game is over. One first down. Two first downs. Third first down inside the OM 40. Long completion to Williams at the one. Shivers runs it in on the next play. We have to have this! Auburn 21 Ole Miss 21 The defense gets a big stop. Ole Miss is punting on their 37. The Tigers begin on the 20. The quarter ends with Auburn at second and 8 from the 22. The Tigers drive to the 18 where Bigsby runs it in around left end. Tank Bigsby is a winner. But then our holder can't handle the high snap and the point after fails. Oh my, this could cost us the ball game. Auburn 27 Ole Miss 21 10:04 left. Likely OM will go the distance and our offense will have to do it again. OM gets to our 20 the clock winding down to 6:32. First and goal OM from the 5. Touchdown. Auburn 27 Ole Miss 28 We are a missed point after from losing this game. Can our offense win the game for us? We get called for holding. First and 20. No gain second and 20. Third and 20. We are in real trouble if we cannot maintain possession. Incomplete pass. Fourth down. Ole Miss regains possesion on their 45. Barring a miracle this game has slipped away with 4:50 to go. Our defense holds. OM ppunts to the end zone. We start on the 20 with 2:25 to go. Nix is sacked on the first play. Third and short. First down just across the 30. First down incompletion. First down with 1:21 to go. TOUCHDOWN AUBURN! Nix to Williams who rambles 40 yards after the catch for the score. TWO POINT CONVERSION IS GOOD! AUBURN 35 OLE MISS 28 1:11 to go. OM fair catches the kickoff. First pass incomplete 1:08 left. QB runs just enough for the first down. Clock winds under a minute. OOB play with 26 seconds left. QB runs out of bounds, 17 seconds left around midfield. Incompletion. 13 seconds left from our 40. Completion to the 29 with 8 seconds left. Now comes the throw to the end zone and I hope we do not get called for interference. Incompletion. Open recever can't come up with the ball. 3 seconds left. Last play Auburn intercepts game over!!! Big win for the Tigers. Seth Williams make the play. Catches the ball around the OM 40, turns and runs it in. The play of the game. Seth Williams is a gamer!!! Auburn 35 Ole Miss 28

2020 The South Carolina Game

 The game kicks off at 11 on ESPN.  Auburn comes in at 2-1 and USC is 1-2.  I do not know the line for sure but AU maybe favored by 3.   This game could go either way from their field.  I would favor Auburn at home but on the road who knows.

FIRST QUARTER

USC goes three and out.

The Tigers drive to the USC 21 mainly thru the air.  The 35 yd. FG attempt is good.

Auburn 3 South Carolina 0

The Gamecocks have a long TD run nullified by an obvious holding call.

From the 25 the Tigers push them back to the 10 on another 3 and out.

The Tigers set up at their own 44.

First down to the 11.

On second Seth Williams can't hold on to the ball as he hits the ground in the end zone.

On third down Nix to Stove for the touchdown.

Auburn is having tremendous success with slant passes.

Surprisingly Auburn goes for two on the wildcat but Pegues pass into the end zone is incomplete.

Auburn 9 South Carolina 0

USC pushes out to their 46 but the punt rolls to the Auburn 2.

First down completion to the 25.

Third and 6 from the AU 29 as the quarter ends.

SECOND QUARTER

Third and 11 after a false start.

USC throws an interception at the Auburn 29.

Bad throw by Nix.  His passing accuracy leaves something to be desired.

First down Gamecocks to the Auburn 16.

First down the Auburn 3/4.

Touchdown South Carolina.  The turnover changes the momentum quickly.

Auburn 9 South Carolina 7

Wow!  Long 44 yd. completion to Seth Williams.  To the USC 15.  The ball hung up there and Seth went up and got it.

On second down Bigsby runs near the goal line but fumbles into the end zone.  The ruling on the field is no fumble.  The play is reviewed and the call on the field is upheld.  Tank Bigsby is the rugged RB we need.

Bigsby walks into the end zone from the one.  That's the answer we needed from the offense.

Auburn 16 South Carolina 7

After one first down USC is punting.

We let the punt hit the ground and it rolls to the 5.

First downs out to the 34.

On third and six the ball bounces off of one of our receivers and USC intercepts at midfield.  Tough break.  Nix tried to force the ball into a covered receiver.

The Gamecocks drive.  This game is not much fun to watch because I think we have the better team but we could easily lose the game.  The tough-luck interception that stated this drive show this.

The score comes on a rush from the one with 35 seconds left.  Both Carolina scores come after turnovers.

Auburn 16 South Carolina 14

The Tigers reach midfield but the clock dies.

It's anybody's game at the half.

THIRD QUARTER

Initial possession Auburn drives for a FG.

Auburn 19 South Carolina 14

USC drives to the Auburn 25.

USC moves inside the Auburn 10.

The score comes on a pass to the end zone from the 10.  Point after on a 2-pt. try no good.

Auburn 19 South Carolina 20

This game so far fills me with dread because we should win this game but we probably won't.

The Tigers go three and out.  This game is slipping away.  Our offense has gone cold.  A dropped pass here and an errant throw next.

The Gamecocks drive to the AU 21 where Auburn gets a big interception as the ball bounces into the air and our player picks it up before it hits the ground.  The clock is under 2 minutes in the quarter.

First down across the 30 but we move to third and 7.

THEN  Nix throws another interception that's run back inside the Auburn 10.  If we lose this game you can pin it on Bo Nix.  First play TD USC.  This game is going south in a hurry.  This is probably Nix's worst game ever.

Auburn 19 South Carolina 27.

54 seconds left in the quarter.

We can't get anybody open and Nix is having to force his throws.  Our offense has completely vanished.

The quarter ends with Auburn facing third and 16 after a holding call.

FOURTH QUARTER

We get a long completion to Seth Williams but there is another holding call this time on Capers.

Auburn is punting on 4th and 4.  USC will scrimmage from their 21.

Our defense is wearing down.

The Gamecocks kick a 30-yd. FG.  We are in serious trouble.

Auburn 19 South Carolina 30

9:13 left

We need big plays.

Bigsby runs to the Gamecock 45 on the first play from the 25.

The Tigers are moving the ball inside the 10 quickly.

Third and goal from the 4.

Fourth and goal from the 4.

We settle for the FG.  Not a satisfactory end to a great drive.

Auburn 22 South Carolina 30

USC runs some clock but our defense holds and we regain possession at our 25.

We are at the Gamecock 35 with 1:37 left first down.

First down at the USC 17.

Nix commits grounding senselessly.  Why does he do this time after time?  It's dumb.

We are back to the 23 with 23 seconds left.

28 seconds on the clock.

Nix runs OOB leading to 4th down at the 13 with 9 seconds left.  Nix's scramble ran too much time off the clock.  4th and 5.

The game ends.  Bad loss.  We should be better than South Carolina.  

FINAL SCORE 

30-22 Carolina

Auburn vs. Arkansas highlights

2020 The Arkansas Game

 After a drubbing by Georgia the Tigers return home to face the Razorbacks with their new coach who replaced our OC who shocked Mississippi State last week for their first SEC win in forever.  This is a dangerous game for Auburn.  A loss today would be disastrous.  I am very nervous.  I just do not know what to expect.  The Tigers must improve on both sides of the ball.  Auburn is a 13.5 favorite.  The game begins in the rain at Jordan-Hare on ESPN.

FIRST QUARTER

Auburn wins the toss and defers.  Arkansas goes three and out.

Good punt return ruined by a holding call.  Auburn starts on their own 28.

After one first down Auburn is punting.

Arkansas fair catches the punt on the ten.

After one first down the Razorbacks are punting.  

Auburn fair catches on the 16.

So far this looks like two teams playing in slow motion.

The rain continues to fall.

On two running plays Auburn is out to their 44.

First down to the Arky 46.

4th down on the Arky 44 as the rain affects the last two passes.

The punt is downed at the Arkansas 3.  A field position game early.

Arkansas is three and out punting from inside their five.

AUBURN BLOCKS THE PUNT AND RECOVERS IN THE END ZONE!  JORDAN PETERS blocks the punt.  BARTON LESTER FALLS ON THE PUNT IN THE END ZONE.

AUBURN 7 ARKANSAS 0

The rain continues harder.  Kickoff out of bounds.  Arkansas at their 35.

Another Arkansas three and out.  The AU defense is showing up right now.

AU starts at the 23.

DJ Williams explodes for 41 yards the Arkansas 36.

On 4th and three Carlson makes a 47 yard field goal!  Auburn increases its lead with 36 seconds left in the quarter with the weather deteriorating.

AUBURN 10 ARKANSAS 0

The quarter ends with the Razorbacks facing second and seven.

SECOND QUARTER

One first down and Arkansas is punting.

Tutt has to dive on the ball at the 20 with no return.

Tank Bigsby runs for two straight first downs.

First down running the ball to the Arkansas 36.

Auburn is running football with Bigsby and Williams and I like it.

First down behind Bigsby to the 15.

Nix around right end from the 15 for the end zone.

80 yards on that drive in ten plays ALL on the ground.

AUBURN 17 ARKANSAS 0

After a kickoff out of bounds and abetted by an Auburn facemark penalty Arkansas drives for a score which comes from a short pass from around the five.  The point after is no good.  The ball never got off the ground.

AUBURN 17 ARKANSAS 6

6:24 left in the half.

Kickoff return to the Auburn 33.

The Tigers reach midfield before the drive fizzles.

Bad punt by Nix.  Arkansas starts at their 25 with a little more than four minutes to go.

We need a turnover.

BUT there is a long completion to the Auburn 30.  Yikes!

Arkansas shows offensive sizzle all of a sudden.

Arkansas completion to the AU ten.  I don't like this.

Arkansas to the seven.

Touchdown Arkansas.  Just like that four minutes ago Auburn was up 17 and now the Razorbacks score two straight touchdowns.  They have gone to a hurry up offense the last two drives.  It's anybody's game.

The two point attempt fails as their receiver cannot hold the ball in the end zone.

AUBURN 17 ARKANSAS 12

From the 35 Bigsby runs on the first play to the Arkansas 39.

Completion to Williams to the Arkansas nine!

Quickly we move to third and goal at the seven.

We lose a yard and we have to go for the field goal.

41 seconds left.

We go right down the field but have to settle for the FG attempt.  Good.

AUBURN 20 ARKANSAS 12

38 seconds left.

Arkansas runs out the clock.

It's anybody's game.

THIRD QUARTER

The Tigers receive to start the half and drive to the Arkansas 38 before the usual trouble starts.

Back we go from there.  We have had success running the ball but little success throwing the ball.  Nix either has to run for his life or his short passes are not accurate.  Our passing game in nonexistent.  We cannot sustain a drive.  One of our scores came on a blocked punt.

Arkansas gains possession on the punt inside their 15.  This game is not going well at this point.

Arkansas starts moving the ball like they did at the end of the second quarter.

Coach Steele better do something.  Coach Morris better do something.

The Hogs cross midfield.  Their offense is having success against our porous defense.  Our defense looks lethargic.

Arkansas moves to our 17.  They convert third downs unlike Auburn.

We are not getting any pressure on their QB.

We will be lucky to win this football game.

First and goal from the nine.  We sack the RB for a loss but get called for facemask.  Auburn is doing everything it can to lose this game.

Touchdown Arkansas.  This is totally disgusting.  They are making great offensive play calls against our defense which looks lifeless.  At least the 2-point attempt is not good.

AUBURN 20 ARKANSAS 18

The Tigers drive to the Arkansas 17 finally completing a few passes.

There is a holding call and back we go.

The quarter ends with Auburn facing third and ten from the 17.

FOURTH QUARTER

First play Schwartz takes the short completion to the end zone.  We needed that one.

AUBURN 27 ARKANSAS 18

Here comes Arkansas again.  It looks like our defense is not going to stand up.

Arkansas moves inside out five as they complete a shuffle pass against our blitz.

We move to fourth and goal from about the five.

The FG attempt is good.

AUBURN 27 ARKANSAS 21

This is what you call a fourth quarter game.

On our first play from  scrimmage Bigsby fumbles and Arkansas recovers.  The play is reviewed and Bigsby is luckily ruled down.  It looked like the review could have gone either way but the call on the field was fumble.

But Auburn is punting from just outside our 20.  Arkansas has scored something like 4 straight times.  What can our defense do?

The punt goes to the Razorback 30.  Scary stuff here for sure.

Our defense hasn't stopped Arkansas since early in the second quarter.  They have kept our defense off balance mixing runs and throws.

Arkansas drives for the touchdown converting a 4th and 6 and on the next play throwing the end zone for the touchdown.  Now this really is hairy.

AUBURN 27 ARKANSAS 28

We are headed for a wild finish.

The Tigers hold the Hogs and get the ball back after the punt at the Arkansas 45.

With 28 seconds left we face 4th down at the  after Nix drops the snap under center and clocks the ball immediately called for grounding.

Sanders hits the FG with 7 seconds left on the clock.  Whew!

AUBURN 30 ARKANSAS 28

OH, MY!  Glad to win.  It was one of those games.  Just glad to win this one.  It could have gone either way in the rain at Jordan-Hare with a Covid crowd negating our home field advantage.  Let's move on.  this Auburn team needs much improvement to handle this 10 game SEC schedule.

2020 The Georgia Game

 So here we are in this strange 2020 football season with COVID-19 and each SEC team playing ten conference games which leads to Auburn and Georgia playing the second game of the season in October in Athens where Auburn has not won since 2005.  Strange, indeed!  In my lifetime we have always played Georgia in November, part of what Coach Dye used to call "Amen Corner."  The Bulldogs seem to be about a 7 point favorite.  They beat Arkansas last Saturday and we beat Kentucky.  Kickoff is at 6:30 on ESPN.  I hate waiting around all day for these night kickoffs.

FIRST QUARTER

Auburn wins the toss and defers.  Georgia goes three and out from their 43.

The punt goes into the end zone.

Auburn gets two straight penalties---false start---and we have to start from the 10.

Tank Bigsby is the starting tailback.

The Tigers go three and out.

Georgia starts on their 42.

On the punt return Smoke Monday is ejected for targeting on the punt returner.  Huge loss.  Jaylin Simpson is already unavailable.

The Bulldogs scrimmage from the AU 43.

First down to the 31 and then first down to the AU 15 as the Dogs convert a third and ten.

First down Georgia to the AU three as UGA converts another third down.

The score comes from the one.

Auburn 0 Georgia 7

The Tigers give up two third down conversions after the targeting penalty gives the Dogs good starting field position.

Can our offense respond?

We cannot afford a slow start in this game.

Again we go three and out quickly.

A slow start indeed.  We need a turnover.  Their defense is dominating our offense so far.

UGA starts on their 37.

First down to midfield.

UGA is gashing us between the tackles.  

First down to the 28.  The Dogs are getting a big push up the middle with pure power running.

Georgia is powering the ball between the tackles and we can't stop them.

First down to the Auburn four.

On third and goal from the four the pass into the end zone is deflected.  Why is UGA trying to pass the ball from the four after gashing us between the tackles right down the field.  They get the field goal but are still dominating the game.

Auburn 0 Georgia 10

First first down to the Auburn 45.

We move to fourth and three from the UGA 48.  UGA fair catches at the 16.

Georgia has 6 first downs; Auburn has one.

48-22 UGA rushing advantage.

First down to the UGA 39.

The first quarter ends.  It doesn't look good early.

SECOND QUARTER

Georgia is driving again and we cannot stop them.

First down Georgia to the Auburn 32.  The Georgia ground game is dominant.

Georgia is completely dominating the lines of scrimmage.  This is ugly.  Power running big time.

On third and nine the TD pass goes to Pickens from the 21.  Auburn tried to single cover Pickens and we can't do it.  That was too easy Stan White says.  Georgia is making the right calls and executing.  Oh, my.

Auburn 0 Georgia 17

If we can't score on this possession we have no chance.

Alas, we go three and out. 

UGA starts around their 28.

We desperately need a turnover.  Somehow we have to stop the bleeding.  We are getting beat so bad physically I don't see how.

Quickly UGA gets a 49 yard completion to the Auburn 12 as their QB has all day to throw.  This is ugly, ugly, ugly. 

The Dogs move inside the five.  To the one yard line.  Touchdown Georgia.  Total domination for Georgia at the line of scrimmage.  They are making it look easy.  No way to sugarcoat this.  I did not anticipate this.  Our defense is simply getting physically beaten.  Our offense can't get started.

Auburn 0 Georgia 24

Finally we get some movement.  First down across midfield.  An almost completion to Williams at the fourteen.  From the UGA 31 Bigsby takes a reception to the UGA 12.  We move to third from the 15.

Timeout with 3:54 left.

Georgia is called for targeting.  First down Auburn at the seven.

Third and goal from the four.

Fourth down from the three and we have to settle for the FG attempt.

The kick is good.

A disappointing end to that drive but at least points.  65 yards in 12 plays.

Auburn 3 Georgia 24

1:38 left.

Sanders kicks out of bounds.  We surely didn't need that.  UGA has two timeouts left.

Georgia is quickly to the 48 as the clock drops under a minute.

Our defense holds.  Georgia punts.  Auburn takes the ball at the 13 with 18 seconds left.  The half ends.

24 to 3 Georgia dominates.

THIRD QUARTER

The Tigers get the ball coming out in the second half.

Two first downs and we are just across midfield.

First down to the UGA 34.

First down to the UGA 23.

We move to third and 10.

We move to a long field goal.  Better than nothing, but we need touchdowns.

Auburn 6 Georgia 24

Unless we stop the UGA offensive dynamo we have no chance.  Can Coach Steele dial up something to keep us in the game?

The answer is no.  Georgia moves right down the field.  They are more physical than our defense.  When you run the football like and stop the other team from running you will win every time.  At least we force the field goal attempt.

Auburn 6 Georgia 27

We have pretty much gone to empty backfield sets.

The Tigers cross midfield on short passes.

We move to third and ten at the Georgia 49.

We move to fourth and one.

First down just across the line to make.

Bigsby runs for 9.

Third and one.

First down just across the line to make.  So far a long and sustained drive.

First down at the 27.

We get a holding call.  Not what we needed.  I could see #71 holding.

Then Nix is sacked and we face third and forever.  Will there be a miracle like 2013?

Third and 28.

Fourth and 12.  Hey, that's manageable.  :)

Nix is intercepted.  Well, that about does it as the third quarter ends on that play.

FOURTH QUARTER

FINAL SCORE

27-6 Georgia