The Auburn Tigers toppled the Washington Huskies in the only top-10 matchup of the opening weekend for college football. In a back-and-forth affair, the Tigers won a game defined by red zone defense.
Auburn’s defense was solid throughout the game, and while it did appear vulnerable on many deep passes, it was often a case of “good defense, better offense” with Washington’s receivers making a number of incredible catches. This Tale of the Tape will mostly focus on Auburn’s offense, which showed flashes of brilliance, but ultimately finished the game with a lot of missed opportunities.
Right after Auburn receiver Ryan Davis had a massive punt return, he followed it up with a 14 yard gain on a screen pass. The design of the screen pass is where the play shines. Auburn first fakes the handoff, but that is not all they do to sell the fake. The left guard pulls around, making it look like he is going to be a lead blocker for the running back.
This causes the defensive linemen and linebackers to bite on the run, putting them out of position. The rest of the play's brilliance comes from the way Davis runs the route. On a normal screen, the receiver takes a step or two, but catches the ball in basically the same place he began. On this play, as soon as the ball is snapped Davis shuffles to the outside, then breaks back inside to catch the ball.
This serves two main purposes. First, the corner that is covering Davis is now out of position and trying to recover. Second, it makes it so that when Davis catches the ball, he is right behind the offensive linemen who have broken away to act as blockers for him.
Davis then runs the play perfectly, running up right behind his blockers to make sure the corner is forced to run into them, before cutting back outside to the now open field. (1st 13:57)
Auburn is known for its hurry-up offense and has a tendency to hurry to the line, only to run the ball up the middle for 0 to 2 yards, effectively killing any momentum they have. However, this game saw Auburn take advantage of Washington’s expectations and use play-action out of the hurry up for massive gains.
On this play, Auburn just got a first down, then hurries to the line and snap it. Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham fakes the handoff before dumping the ball to fullback Chandler Cox, who then gains a first down, and then some.
Auburn makes the play look like a run, with the receivers taking off at about half speed, making it look like they are going to block instead of running routes. The entire Washington defense is fooled, and both inside linebackers and the strong safety crash down the middle trying to stop a running back who does not have the ball.
All the cornerbacks have their eyes on the running back as well, so by the time they try to correct to tackle Cox, they are out of position and easily blocked by the wide receivers. (1st 2:02)
Auburn would then go the entire second and third quarters without a touchdown, but finally scored when it mattered the most in the fourth quarter. Normally, a running play on 3rd and 7 when a touchdown makes it a 6-point game and a field goal makes it a 2-point game is not the smartest call.
However, Auburn could not afford to turn the ball over, and the way Washington was lined up made it the perfect time for Auburn to call an option play.
On this play, Auburn deliberately leaves Washington’s edge defender, Benning Potoa'e, unblocked. Stidham then watches him to decide if he should hand the ball off or keep it.
Auburn blocks the play perfectly, and other then hands brushing his feet, Auburn running back JaTarvious "Boobee" Whitlow is not even touched until he has gotten the first down. Whitlow then runs hard and turns a 7-yard gain into a game-winning touchdown. (6:22, 4th)
Washington still had a chance to drive down the field and win the game. Auburn’s defense came through and on the most important play of the drive, Auburn went with an all-out blitz that Washington had absolutely no chance of stopping.
Three Auburn defenders went unimpeded as they rushed, and brought down Jake Browning to effectively end Washington’s hopes of winning the game. (1:37, 4th)
Auburn starting the season with a win over a playoff contender is huge. Auburn getting to play elite competition so early in the season will provide them with valuable film to study and see what they need to improve on. The Tigers will continue their season with their first home game against Alabama State on Saturday.
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