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A spirit that is not afraid

Auburn's offensive struggles, turnovers resurface in 30-24 loss to Tennessee

With the win, Tennessee snaps an 11-game in-conference losing streak

Jarrett Stidham (8) runs the ball during Auburn Football vs. Tennessee on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018 in Auburn, Ala.
Jarrett Stidham (8) runs the ball during Auburn Football vs. Tennessee on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018 in Auburn, Ala.

Auburn’s return trip home was met with more uncertainty and frustration.

Through its last six games against ranked opponents, Tennessee never held a lead and lost by an average of 26 points. In a 30-24 win over No. 21 Auburn, Volunteer quarterback Jarrett Guarantano took control of Jordan-Hare Stadium, throwing for 328 yards and two touchdowns on 21-of-32 passing.

With the win, Tennessee snaps an 11-game in-conference losing streak.

“I really felt like we would come out and play our best game,” Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn said. “They protected the football and we didn’t.”

Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham finished with 322 yards for two touchdowns and two interceptions through the air on 28-of-45 passing. Stidham’s three turnovers, including one fumble recovered for a Tennessee touchdown, padded the Volunteer lead entering the final quarter.

Malzahn remained noncommittal on Auburn’s quarterback moving forward.

“We really felt like going into the game that Jarrett gave us the best chance at winning,” Malzahn said. “He fought until the end, but obviously we came up short.”

Through seven games last season and up to a season-defining loss in Baton Rouge, Stidham completed 65.5 percent of his passes for eight touchdowns and two interceptions. In seven games this season, Stidham has completed 60.5 percent of his passes for seven touchdowns and four interceptions.

Volunteer running back Ty Chandler, who finished with 50 yards on 16 carries, complemented his quarterback with his five catches for 62 yards and a touchdown through the air.

Chandler said the team had confidence in its quarterback while Tennessee trailed 17-13 at the half.

“We knew he was going to come here and do his thing,” Chandler said. “He’s a great quarterback and a great leader for us, so I knew he was going to do his thing. It was just important that we made sure we protected him.”

On third-down attempts, Guarantano finished 11-of-14 for 188 yards and three touchdowns. Additionally, the Volunteers had 122 total yards and two touchdowns in the third quarter while holding Auburn to 38 yards and no score.

Contrasting a poor third-quarter showing, Auburn's four-point halftime lead was bolstered by its first 100 yard rushing performance in four weeks. The Tigers would then finish the next two quarters with 20 rushing yards.

To Stidham, the offense hasn't figured it out yet.

"I think this year, for whatever reason, we haven’t hit that moment where we’re clicking," Stidham said. "We have great stretches throughout the game at some point, we just have to get it together for a full four quarters.”

Moving forward, Auburn's final stretch includes away meetings at top-ranked Alabama and second-ranked Georgia while hosting Texas A&M at home.

For Malzahn, getting the team together is the first step to move forward.

"We're going to have to sit together in that locker room, and we're going to have to fix it," Malzahn said. "We've got to rally, and we've got to finish this thing the right way."

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