The fun storyline leading up the Auburn-South Alabama game last week was that Auburn needed to be on upset-watch. The reason: South Alabama is better than Ball State. Cool story, bro. Do people still say that?
Auburn had the ball five times in the 1st half. They scored a touchdown on four of them and punted on the other. Cam Coleman finally caught a touchdown pass. Auburn had drives of 12 and 14 plays that chewed up tons of clock. It was complete control of the situation.
Also in the 1st half, the defense got their first interception of the season, gave up a long drive that ended in a field goal, gave up another long drive that ended in a touchdown, and forced a punt. It was fine. Tons of plays and yards, but only nine points given up. It was 28-9 at the half.
Auburn would only touch the ball in a meaningful manner two more times the entire game. Seriously. In an entire half, they kicked a field goal after sixteen plays, went 3-and-out and punted, and got the ball back at the end to take a knee.
Coach Freeze admitted that once he got up two touchdowns, they pretty much sat on the ball. It felt like they were doing that most of the game. There were SO many plays and SO many yards, but even with only two turnovers by South Alabama and none for Auburn, both teams just decided to hold the ball as long as they possibly could.
It was fine. But because they are named South Alabama and many casual fans didn’t realize they had a team or have been actually half-decent over the years, it meant Auburn isn’t good. That’s what it means, guys.
The defense gave up one touchdown in the 2nd half, just like the 1st. But their kicker missed both of his extra points for the day, which made for the weird score. And again, South Alabama held onto the ball, and moved the ball more than we wanted, thanks to a few drive-extending penalties, but they scored two touchdowns and kicked a field goal in an entire college football game. It’s fine.
BUT IF WE PLAY LIKE THAT AGAINST OKLAH… we weren’t playing Oklahoma.
It was Homecoming. It was hot. Auburn did what they wanted on offense. They let a good offense move the ball a little on defense, and Auburn could’ve scored sixty points, but decided not to.
Now it’s SEC season. Auburn has been on the road in middle America already. Jackson Arnold gets to go see his “friends.” It’ll be a good’n. But for now Auburn is 3-0. Enjoy it this week.
