Auburn Vs. Utah State: Tigers Escape Upset-Minded Aggies, 42-38

The first drive after Utah State’s final touchdown looked easy, as Trotter guided Auburn down the field for a touchdown quickly. Gene Chizik decided to try an onside kick instead of letting his defense get the ball back and it ultimately proved to be the right call, as Utah State failed to block Auburn’s hands team and they recovered easily.

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The Tigers recovered the onside kick on the ensuing possession, giving them defending national champs the opportunity to either tie or win the game depending on what happens on the final possession.

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The Tigers’ defense is continuing to struggle, though, as Utah State was nearing field goal range (for normal teams, not them) when the whistle blew to end the third quarter.

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Auburn is not out of the woods against Utah State just yet. But the Tigers are out of the hole, thanks to super sophomore Michael Dyer.

Dyer capped an 11-play, 65-yard third quarter drive for Auburn by taking in an 11-yard direct snap for a touchdown, and after the extra point, the Tigers and Aggies are knotted at 21.

Auburn appears to miss 2010 Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton dearly. The Tigers are struggling on the ground, getting fewer than three yards per rush attempt, and while quarterback Barrett Trotter threw the only offensive touchdown of Auburn’s first half, he’s put it in the air just five times so far.

Utah State, meanwhile, has been efficient on offense. The Aggies have outgained Auburn by nearly 100 yards to this point, and have accrued 13 first downs to a measly three for Auburn. Utah State can credit its slow and steady running game for its massive time of possession advantage, too: the Aggies have run the ball 27 times for 104 yards, breaking just three runs of over 10 yards.