STARKVILLE– The cowbells were rocking early Saturday morning and into the early afternoon but it was not enough to will the Mississippi State Bulldogs past the Auburn Tigers, as they coasted to a 35-14 victory.
Saturday was the first time the Tigers had hit the road this season as they headed to Davis-Wade Stadium to take on the Bulldogs and their rowdy fans. However, the hostile environment did not seem to bother the Tigers as they dominated both sides of the ball for the majority of the contest.
Mississippi State won the toss and deferred to the second half, putting the ball in the hands of the Tiger offense to start the game. It looked as if it was going to be the Bulldogs’ day as they slammed Auburn’s Kerryon Johnson for a 3-yard loss after a completed pass. Two plays later Auburn QB Sean White’s pass bounced off the right shoulder pad of Tony Stevens and into the hands of Kivon Coman who returned it to the Auburn 19. As they have done all year, the defense came up huge and held MSU to a field goal attempt. Westin Graves’ attempt ricocheted off the left upright and fell no good giving the Tigers the ball at their own 20.
After dodging a bullet, Auburn made the most out of their next drive. White started the drive with a 12-yard pass to Ryan Davis. Johnson followed with two carries for a total of 16 yards. Kamryn Pettway got two carries in for 9 yards before White delivered the big blow, a 37-yard strike to Stevens down to the MSU 7. Two plays later White rolled to his right and found Davis in the front of the end zone for a 3-yard touchdown. Carlson added the PAT to put the Tigers up 7-0.
It wasn’t long before the ball was back in the hands of the Auburn offense who punched it in for the second consecutive possession. After an MSU three-and-out, the Tigers methodically marched down the field with four plays of 9 yards or more, capping the 12-play, 79-yard drive with a 1-yard rush from Pettway for his first of three touchdowns in the half. Carlson was automatic and the Tigers went up 14-0.
MSU looked good as if they were going to get on track with their next offensive series but Marlon Davidson had something to say about that. As Nick Fitzgerald dropped back for a pass at the Auburn 40, he was hit from his blindside by Davidson, jarring the ball loose. Montravius Adams pounced on the loose ball and the Tigers were once again in business. Pettway got things going with three straight rushes to the MSU 49. White found Chandler Cox for a 9-yard gain to the Bulldog 40 as the first quarter ended.
It was all Pettway in the second as the Tigers gave the ball to the 6-foot, 200-pound sophomore six times with the last carry resulting in a 3-yard touchdown with less than three minutes gone in the second quarter. Carlson booted through his third extra point and Auburn went up 21-0.
After trading punts over the course of the next five possessions, Auburn found themselves with great field position at the Mississippi State 45 where the Tigers went to work. White connected with Stevens for a 16-yard gain. Following a 2-yard loss, Pettway broke containment and raced 29 yards up the far sideline giving Auburn first-and-goal from the 2. Pettway finished the drive with a 2-yard blast for his third career touchdown and his third touchdown of the half. Carlson hit his 117th consecutive PAT to put the Tigers up big, 28-0.
With 1:54 left in the half and down four scores, Mississippi State went to the air to try and dent the scoreboard before the half, but Carl Lawson would not let that happen. As Fitzgerald dropped back, Lawson came crashing in with a sack that caused a fumble. Adams picked up the loose ball and rumbled 13 yards for his first career score. Carlson nailed the PAT and Auburn went to the break up by a huge 35-0 margin.
Mississippi State got on the board for the first time midway through the third quarter. The Bulldogs were able to capitalize on a questionable Auburn fumble that was reviewed and upheld. Fitzgerald connected with Keith Mixon twice on the drive, for 18 yards and 37 yards, with the latter resulting in the first Bulldog score. Graves drove home the PAT to make the score 35-7. MSU got a second touchdown pass from Fitzgerald, this time to Fred Ross for an 8-yard score, but it would not be enough, as Carlson added a late field goal for the Tigers to make the final score 38-14.
Auburn will have an off week next week with a chance to rest some players before welcoming the Arkansas Razorbacks to Jordan-Hare on the 22nd. Mississippi State will have a late 9:15 kickoff next week as they play host to the Brigham Young University Cougars.
Auburn tallied 432 yards of total offense led by Pettway’s 169 yards on 39 carries, three of which resulted in TDs. White was efficient through the air going 14 of 18 for 204 yards and a touchdown. He was picked off once.
Click here to see a full photo gallery.
Copyright 2016 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
