SEC Power Rankings: Egg Bowl, Iron Bowl to decide SEC West champ
Nov 21, 2015; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers running back Jovon Robinson (29) blocks Vandals safety Jordan Grabski (21) during the second quarter at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
For the first time this season the Auburn Tigers looked like the explosive offensive unit many members of the preseason hype machine (myself included) expected they would be.
The Tigers scored 56 points and rumbled to 460 total yards, and preseason Heisman Trophy candidate Jeremy Johnson accounted for four total touchdowns. However, a 56-35 victory over Idaho is hardly an impressive victory.
Auburn opened the game with a methodical eight-play, 66-yard scoring drive and Peyton Barber scored on a two-yard run (No. 13 of the season) to give the Tigers a 7-0 lead, but the Tigers immediately allowed the Vandals to tie the game after a 71-yard pass on the first play from scrimmage followed by a four-yard touchdown run. The leaky defense continued the rest of the game, and Idaho actually outgained Auburn 479-460.
Fortunately for the Tigers, who secured a bowl bid by picking up their sixth win, the Vandals turned the football over three times – one of which was a Rudy Ford interception that was returned 48 yards for a touchdown.
Johnson completed 13 of 19 passes for 163 yards and two touchdowns – one each to Ricardo Louis (4 receptions, 90 yards) and Tony Stevens (3 receptions, 28 yards) – without an interception. He added 23 rushing yards and two scores on five attempts. Running back Jovon Robinson led the Tigers with 99 rushing yards and a TD on 15 carries. Roc Thomas, who hasn’t played since Oct. 31, scored on a 56-yard touchdown and finished with 78 yards on four carries.
The improved offensive performance is a great sign heading into the Iron Bowl against Alabama next week, but the Tigers must play exponentially better on defense to have a shot at upsetting the Crimson Tide.
Next Game: Saturday November 28 vs. Alabama
Next: Tennessee