Two big-time defensive stops in the fourth quarter helped push Auburn to their first victory of the year over the Washington State Cougars.
"There was a lot of adversity and we made a lot of mistakes, but our guys found a way to overcome them," coach Malzahn said. "Very proud of our defense they got us three turnovers and they had two fourth down stops late."
Robenson Therezie finished the game with two interceptions with one being late in the fourth quarter preventing the Cougars from tying the game.
"I told him big-time players make big-time plays, and that is exactly what he did tonight," said cornerback Chris Davis. "
Washington State started the game fast with a 12-play 75-yard opening game touchdown drive.
Auburn got off to a shaky start, but after Connor Halliday's pass was intercepted by Therezie the Tigers got going and took the lead with an 8-yard touchdown run by Tre Mason and a two-point conversion by Ryan White.
Washington State got back on the board with a 7-yard touchdown pass from Halliday to Bobby Ratliff.
But Auburn answered back quickly with a 100-yard kickoff return by Tre Mason.
Jeremiah Laufasa added another seven points for Washington State after a 1-yard touchdown run.
Corey Grant had a solid first half after rushing for 102 yards with one touchdown. His 75-yard touchdown run gave Auburn a 22-21 lead.
"I have to give the credit to the offensive line and the recievers they sealed the edge and it was just wide open," Grant said.
Grant finished the night with 149 yards rushing on nine carries.
Cody Parkey then added three more points for the Tigers before the end of the half with a 47-yard field goal.
The third quarter was not as exciting as the second quarter was, but both teams did trade field goals putting the score at 28-24 going into the final quarter.
Auburn did miss a couple of opportunities to score touchdowns in the third. One being a Nick Marshall touchdown run that was called back because of a holding call, and later in the third Jonathan Wallace missed a wide-open receiver on a reverse pass attempt.
Heading into the fourth it looked as if the game was setting up to be a thrilling finish.
Parkey added to the Tigers lead with a 42-yard field goal giving them a 31-24 lead.
The Cougars then drove inside the Tigers 10-yard line before Halliday threw his third interception of the day to Therezie with a little more than four minutes to go.
It looked as if the Tigers had the game in control, but a Mason fumble around the 50-yard line gave the Cougars one more chance.
Washington State would pick up one first down before Auburn stopped the Cougars on fourth down giving Auburn a 31-24 victory over the Cougars.
"They found a way to win," Malzahn said. "Our goals are to get better each practice and to get better each game, and we've got a lot of work to do but we are committed to doing that."
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