Turnovers, penalties and mental mistakes gave Auburn their first loss of the 2014 season Saturday.
That, and the Mississippi State Bulldogs, who will most likely be the nation's new number one team come Sunday afternoon.
The biggest game of the year couldn't have started any worse for the Tigers. After two offensive plays, Auburn had two turnovers, and the Bulldogs had 14 points.
"We started out in a hole," said head coach Gus Malzahn. "You've got to give Mississippi State credit. They're a very good football team. We knew we'd have to play well to beat them, and we didn't do that."
Not much else went right for Gus Malzahn's squad in Starkville from there.
Down 21-0 after the first quarter, Daniel Carlson knocked in a 21-yarder on the first play of the second quarter, making it 21-3 MSU. He knocked one in from a yard further on the next drive, cutting the bulldog lead to 21-6.
Jonathan Jones picked off Dak Prescott in the end zone on the ensuing Bulldog drive, and Auburn took over with 7:41 left in the half. Auburn stalled on the drive following the turnover, but was bailed out when Bulldog punt returner Jamoral Graham fumbled the kick.
Brandon King recovered for Auburn and the Tigers finally found the end zone three plays later as Nick Marshall hit Duke Williams for a 9-yard score.
At half, the Bulldogs led 21-13, a lead they wouldn't give up.
Auburn made a small comeback, but never could make the plays it needed to in order to complete what have been a gigantic comeback.
On the Tigers first drive of the second half, a questionable call wiped out what could have been a game changing play.
On 3rd and 10 from his own 30, Nick Marshall hit a streaking in stride on the sideline, and Coates took the ball all the way to the MSU two yard line.
Several seconds after the play was over, a flag was thrown for offensive pass interference, negating a 68 yard gain.
"It was a big play in the game," Malzahn said, visibly frustrated.
Coates also had a touchdown called back in the second quarter after stepping out of the back of the end zone before making the catch.
On the next drive, Williams and Marshall hooked up again, this time from 15-yards out, putting the Tigers within eight points of the Bulldogs with 3:55 left in the third quarter. That score would hold the until the start of the fourth, when Bulldogs finally put the nail in Auburn's coffin.
Evan Sobiesk put the MSU up 31-20 with 11:33 to go in the game.
On the ensuing kickoff, Ricardo Louis fumbled on the return.
Less than a minute later, the Bulldogs were in the end zone again. This time, it was 1-yard Josh Robinson run that put MSU up 38-20 with 11:07 left.
Auburn's last score came on a 42-yard field goal from Carlson.
It looked like the Tigers might make things interesting late, but Marshall was intercepted by Justin Cox at the MSU 3-yard line.
It was a sloppy game for the Tigers from start to finish. Mental mistakes, penalties, and turnovers haunted them all game long.
"We never fell out of it," said cornerback Jonathan Jones, who picked off two Prescott passes. "We did face adversity, and tried our best to fight out of it."
Last week, LSU didn't convert a single third down against the Auburn defense. This week, Prescott and the Bulldogs thrashed the Tigers on third down converting 8 of 17 tries.
It was also a rough game for Nick Marshall, who finished just 17 of 35 for 209 yards with two interceptions. Rushing wise, the Tigers gained 232 yards.
"They are tall and lanky and then just made good plays on the ball," Marshall said. "Being a quarterback, you just have to pick your windows to throw through. "
The loss will no doubt hurt the Tigers in the polls, but they shouldn't fall too far off, considering this was a No. 2 vs No.3 matchup. With a bye week next week, Malzahn and the Tigers will have two weeks to prepare for Steve Spurrier and South Carolina.
LoadingNick Marshall looking for an open receiver. (Photo credit: Raye May) #AUBvsMSST #WarEagle #BeatMSU #AUvsMSU #BeatState
LoadingDuke celebrates for the touchdown. (Photo credit: Raye May) #AUBvsMSST #WarEagle #Auburn #AUvsMSU #touchdown
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
