Auburn defense steps up as offense sputters again

STARKVILLE, Miss. — Standard gear for Auburn football uniforms does not include just helmets and pads.

It also includes bulletproof vests.

With its offense floundering, spitting out footballs and even scoring a safety for Mississippi State in the fourth quarter, the Tiger defense stared down the barrel of a gun three times over the final six minutes – turning back every Mississippi State opportunity in a 3-2 victory at Davis Wade Stadium.

The ninth-ranked Tigers (3-0, 1-0 SEC) allowed Mississippi State (1-2, 0-1) just 116 total yards, including 38 on the ground.

“That one was all about defense,” Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville said. “When you go on the road in the SEC, you’d better play good defense. 116 total yards? You can win a lot of games with defense like that. We know that’s the strength of this football team.”

It was Auburn’s lowest-scoring win since a 3-0 victory at Miami (Fla.) in 1974.

Auburn’s lowest-scoring win of all-time was a 2-0 victory at Tulane in 1926.

The difference in the scoreboard Saturday was a simple 35-yard field goal from Wes Byrum in the second quarter.

Auburn clung to a 3-2 lead, but miscues gave the Bulldogs repeated chances at midfield or beyond.

* With six minutes left, Mississippi State assumed possession at midfield. Four plays later, linebacker Tray Blackmon stuffed MSU running back Christian Ducre for no gain on fourth and one.

Two plays later, AU running back Ben Tate fumbled at the Tiger 48.

* Back on the field with 4:40 to play, Auburn’s defense did not allow State quarterback Wesley Carroll a completion.

Three plays later, Tiger running back Tristan Davis fumbled at the Bulldog 32.

* With 2:29 left needing one more stop, Auburn didn’t give Mississippi State many chances. Defensive back Walter McFadden made a circus interception on the right sideline at the
Tiger 18 after Carroll lofted a deep pass intended for Brandon McRae.

“That’s why I’m so proud of Walt on that last play,” Auburn defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads said. “I was this close to substituting Neiko (Thorpe) at that point in the game, but you’ve got a veteran player who says ‘Coach, I can answer,’ and he certainly did.”

Instead of taking advantage of Auburn turnovers down the stretch and scoring the winning field goal or touchdown, Mississippi State gained just 9 yards.

“It was like, ‘Here we go again,’” said Auburn defensive back Jerraud Powers. “But our job is to keep the ball out of the end zone and that’s what we did.”

Tiger defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads didn’t look at his team’s offensive inadequacies as more pressure on his defense.

“You never put that kind of burden on kids when you’re in a team sport,” he said. “We looked at it as a positive. Nothing comes from success when you are negative.”

Through three games, Rhoads’ defense has allowed 15 points, 8 of which were generated by the Tigers’ offense.

Saturday, Mississippi State was 0-for-16 on third downs.

“You play football at this level, with that kind of competition, the was a hell of a football team we played tonight, and you play against that kind of competition, and you play as hard as you do with that much on the line and you never have a chance to rest, you’re going to get physically tired. And we did,” Rhoads said.

Auburn clung to a 3-0 lead for much of the game, but a 52-yard punt from State’s Blake McAdams pinned the Tigers deep at their own 3 with 7:20 to play. On third and long, quarterback Chris Todd rolled right to pass and offensive lineman Ryan Pugh was called for holding in the end zone. The call resulted in a safety, creating an uncanny 3-2 score.

Byrum’s kickoff sailed out of bounds at midfield, giving the Tiger defense the first of three bullets to dodge.

Defending national champion LSU visits Jordan-Hare Stadium next week.

“We’re pretty good defensively and they are too,” Tuberville said. “If we get 3 and they get 2, we’ll win.”

jmcadory@oanow.com | 737-2549