The Bayou Bengals travel to Jordan-Hare Stadium this week to take on Auburn on the Plains. The matchup between these two teams has been nothing but historical. There was the “Earthquake Game” in 1988. With just under two minutes and LSU trailing late in the fourth quarter 6-0 to Auburn, LSU quarterback Tommy Hudson found running back Eddie Fuller in the end zone on fourth down. The crowd noise was so loud that it registered as an earthquake across campus at the Howe-Russell Geoscience complex.
Or in 1996 “The Barn Burner.” The old Auburn Sports Arena nicknamed “The Barn” burned across the street from Jordan-Hare. Auburn trailed in the fourth quarter, scored a touchdown to cut the LSU lead to 17-15. On their two point conversion the pass was intercepted and returned by LSU. LSU would win 19-15.
In 1999 on then Auburns head coach Tommy Tuberville’s birthday, Auburn manhandled LSU to the tune of 41-7 during a day game in Baton Rouge. Auburn players and coaches smoked cigars on the field after the win.
2005 Auburn kicker John Vaughn missed five field goals and LSU would eventually win in overtime 20-17. Auburn and LSU would be tied at the end of the season for SEC West champions but the LSU win in OT gave LSU the chance to play for the SEC championship.
2007 With LSU down 24-23 and driving late in the game, with the clock running LSU was in field goal range. LSU head coach Les Miles called a pass to Demetrius Byrd before a possible field goal attempt. Byrd caught the pass blindly from quarterback Matt Flynn and the Bayou Bengals would win 30-24
2016 Auburn kicker Daniel Carlson hit six field goals to give Auburn the lead 18-13. LSU would drive and with a last ditch effort appeared to have sealed the game on the final play, but after review, time had expired before the ball was snapped. Les Miles was fired the next day.
2017 “The Rally in the Valley” Auburn jumped out to a 20-0 lead early over LSU. But LSU was able to fight back and cut that lead 23-14 by halftime. Wide receiver DJ Chark returned a punt 75 yards in the 4th quarter to cut the Auburn lead to 23-21. LSU took the lead two possessions later with a field goal to make it 24-21. LSU would kick another field goal to widen its lead 27-21. Auburn would have their last drive end with three straight incomplete passes.
2018 Auburn jumped out to a 21-10 lead before LSU rallied with 12 unanswered points and kicker Cole Tracy booting a 42 yard field goal to seal the victory for LSU.
2019 LSU quarterback Joe Burrow posted a career high in passes (32) and attempts (42) for 321 yards with a passing touchdown and a rushing touchdown.
LSU has won three straight and four of the last five meetings against Auburn.
Auburn won the toss and deferred to the second half.
LSU received the ball to start the game, the Tigers looked like they were going to run the ball early, handing to Emery for a gain of 3 then, Finley missed twice on slants to Marshall. Bringing up an early three and out for LSU. The Tigers would punt and Auburn would start at their own 25.
It looked like the game was going to be a defensive battle, both teams were scoreless through the first quarter. LSU was driving when the quarterback was intercepted by Auburn DB Pritchett and returned to the LSU 4 yard line. Auburn receiver Eli Stove would start the scoring onslaught with a nine yard touchdown screen pass from Bo Nix.
LSU was looking like it would bounce back, it held Auburn out of the end zone and caused them to punt. However, a Finley strip sack, and scoop and score by Auburn defensive back Christian Tutt was what seemed to swing all the momentum in the direction for Auburn.
Cade York would come in just before half time and kick a 50 yard field goal to cut into the Auburn lead, 21-3. Auburn would receive to start the second half.
LSU came out flat to start the second half. Auburn took the opening kick-off and marched down the field on an eight play 75 yard drive that consumed almost three and a half minutes. Quarterback Bo Nix capped off the drive with a five yard keeper off the left side.
LSU came out throwing trying to get back in the game, and Finley had his pass tipped at the line of scrimmage and intercepted by Auburn defensive lineman Big Kat Bryant. Auburn would take over at the LSU 21. Auburn drove to the goal line and it looked like LSU was going to have a goal line stand, but on third and short, Tank Bigsby walked in untouched from the two yard line. Auburn was now up 35-3
Finley was benched and Max Johnson put in, hoping to get a spark on offense. Johnson came in and completed a quick nine yard pass to Racey McMath, then Ty Davis-Price is tackled for a loss of five, bringing up 3rd and 6 for LSU. Johnson was flushed from the pocket on third down and was tackled for no gain.
Auburn got the ball back on their own 31 and went 69 yards in 12 plays. This time using more than five minutes to score. Score Auburn 42 LSU 3
The fourth quarter begins and Max Johnson looks like he is starting a drive, after two incomplete passes, Johnson finds Arik Gilbert for a big gain of 17 for the first down. Then Koy Moore for nine on a 2nd and long. A John Emery loss of three caused the drive to stall.
Zach Von Rosenberg punted the ball out at the Auburn nine. But Auburn was ready for it. Bo Nix hit Schwartz on a go route for 91 yards and the score. The PAT was no good. Auburn is up 48- 3 at this point and there is still nearly a full quarter left to play in the game.
Max Johnson hits Kayshon Boutte for a 43 yard touchdown. The 2 point conversion is good.
Takeaways from the game:
The defense is still not communicating, you saw that on the Bigsby touchdown in the third quarter. Neil Farrell was screaming at Todd Harris about his gap assignment. Also the outside runs are killing the Tigers. “We’re evaluating everyday” said Ed Orgeron. “We’re evaluating every week, we’ll see where we are.” When asked about possible coaching changes coming to LSU.
The offensive line took one on the chin today. “We got punched in the face,” said Liam Shanahan. “We just got embarrassed on national TV we have to respond.”
Final Score: Auburn 48 LSU 11
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