It was as exciting a game as you’ll ever see, but if you were one of the many that tuned in early you would have never seen it coming. Up 20-0, Gus Malzahn’s tenth-ranked Auburn Tigers looked to be in control. Then, the Gus Bus suddenly broke down. From that point on, Auburn would be outscored 27-3.
The offensive onslaught was spearheaded by LSU’s talented duo of wide receivers, Russell Cage and D.J. Chark, and a redshirt freshman kicker in Conner Culp. After a penalty overturned what would have been a turnover for the Auburn Tigers’ defense, Cage extended for a score in the back of the endzone to pull the score to within just nine points. Chark, early in fourth quarter, then returned a punt 75 yards to the endzone to get Death Valley rocking again, now just down two.
Another forced punt would give LSU the ball back again and the Tigers’ took it down the field and Culp was able to knock it through from 42 yards out to give them the lead for the first time all night. Auburn would then get the ball back, inexplicably attempt and fail a fourth down conversion, and ultimately set up LSU with another easy kick. Just as before, Culp played the hero and knocked it through the uprights from 36 yards out giving LSU a four point lead.
LSU’s pass rush proved to be too much for Jarrett Stidham and his offense as they failed to move the ball down the field at all.
With the loss, Auburn falls to 5-2 and 3-1 in the SEC. LSU – who lost to Troy at home just two weeks ago – improves to 5-2 on the year and could very well find itself in the top-20 again next week. Auburn will most likely need to run the table if they are to win the SEC West.
