Here’s what we learned from the LSU Tigers coming from behind to take down the No. 10 Auburn Tigers 27-23 on Saturday afternoon in Baton Rouge.
After looking dead just two weeks ago, Ed Orgeron and the LSU Tigers earned their second straight win over a ranked opponent with a 20-point comeback to take down the No. 10 Auburn Tigers 27-23 on Saturday in Death Valley.
Auburn’s three consecutive blowout victories to begin SEC play were fueled by fast starts, and the Tigers looked to be in line for another huge win early on Saturday. Following a field goal on its opening drive, Auburn forced a Danny Etling fumble and went up 10-0 on a 49-yard touchdown reception by Will Hastings just under three minutes in.
Gus Malzahn’s offense continued to rip off chunk play after chunk play, and extended the lead to 17 at the 3:30 mark of the first quarter on Kerryon Johnson‘s 13th touchdown of the season. Just when the rout looked to be on, LSU’s offense suddenly came to life on a 70-yard run by Russell Gage to set up a touchdown to cut the deficit to 20-7 with 9:19 left in the half.
Johnson continued to move the ball effectively, but Auburn could only manage another field goal before the break. LSU’s suddenly rejuvenated offense connected on a couple of splash plays, and Gage made a spectacular catch on a 14-yard touchdown reception to make it a competitive game at 23-14 through 30 minutes.
Both defenses would tighten up in the second half, as neither team managed to score in the third quarter, with costly penalties mounting for the Bayou Bengals. Special teams finally came into play on the first snap of the fourth quarter when D.J. Chark returned a punt 75 yards for a touchdown to make it a 23-21 game.
With no semblance of a passing offense, Auburn continued to feed the ball to Johnson, but was unable to sustain a long drive throughout the second half. LSU dominated the field position battle in the fourth quarter, and took over on Auburn’s 45-yard line down two with 6:40 to go with the chance to put together a game-winning drive.
Star running back Derrius Guice picked up a crucial third-down conversion to help LSU drive to the Auburn 26. Rather than go for it on fourth and inches, Ed Orgeron decided to trust his shaky kicking game, and Connor Culp nailed a 42-yard attempt to put LSU up 24-23 with 2:36 left to go.
ALSO READ: Bobby Petrino should bolt Louisville for Tennessee
Auburn was unable to move the ball on its next possession and decided to go for it on fourth and ten, setting up another Culp field goal to put LSU up 27-23 with 38 seconds remaining. Jarret Stidham picked up one first down on a scramble, but Auburn would stall near midfield to seal a huge win for Orgeron and the Bayou Bengals.
Here’s what we learned from Saturday’s wild 27-23 affair in Death Valley.