AU turns tables on turnovers

By Joe McAdory

Five turnovers will get you beat every time. Auburn knows all about that. Tonight, New Mexico State is learning it too.

Auburn forced three Aggie turnovers in the third period, returned a first-period fumble for a touchdown and used an NMSU fumble on a kickoff to set up another score to take a 48-20 lead.

Looks like it’s time for Auburn to put in the reserves. This one’s over.

Tigers strike in third quarter

By Joe McAdory

This is by far Auburn’s best third quarter this season. The Tigers used an interception by Jonathan Wilhite to thwart New Mexico State’s first drive, then a beautiful 18-yard touchdown pass from Brandon Cox to Rod Smith—Smith’s second of the game—to take a 28-20 lead.

Moments later, junior defensive lineman Sen’Derrick Marks intercepted NMSU quarterback Chase Holbrook at the 10 and barrelled inside the 5 to set up Cox’s 1-yard TD sneak for a 35-20 lead. Cox’s touchdown was particularly interesting as AU students shouted BRAN-DON, BRAN-DON before the play as if they knew what was coming. It’s good to see Cox get something other than boos. Touchdowns generally do that for you.

Halftime odds and ends

By Joe McAdory

Been hearing about the feats of New Mexico State quarterback Chase Holbrook all week. You know, he ain’t half bad. The kid completed 20 of 23 passes for 207 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the first half Saturday as the Aggies trail Auburn 21-20.

By contrast, Auburn’s quarterback combo of Brandon Cox and Kodi Burns completed 6 of 10 for 111 yards and a touchdown. Not bad in a running-oriented offense.

Auburn’s first half MVP had to be Ben Tate, who rushed 10 times for 62 yards. He was out briefly with an injury, but came back moments later.

Come to think of it, Auburn has led at the half in all four games this year (6-3 over Kansas State, 17-14 over South Florida and 14-13 over Mississippi State). Those leads have proven to be worthless. Auburn must slow down Holbrook in the second half, further establish a running game and try to avoid those costly turnovers.

This game seems to be up for grabs, but Auburn has a flicker of momentum at halftime.

Traditional running attack working for AU

By Joe McAdory

It’s evident that Auburn’s offensive scheme is far different when Brandon Cox is behind center than Kodi Burns. With Cox, the Tigers used a traditional two-back set as repeated gives to Ben Tate and Mario Fannin drove the NMSU defense backward. Fannin capped the drive with a 2-yard TD run to give Auburn a 21-20 lead with 7:07 left in the second period.

With Burns at QB, running plays involving the running backs were scarce. If the NMSU defense can’t stop a power attack, I suggest Auburn pound the ball the rest of the night. Besides, that keeps the clock running and each of us in the press box like that.

BOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

By Joe McAdory

BOOOOOOOOO!!!

No chocolate cake in the press box.

What did you think I was booing?