LSU Tigers vs Auburn Tigers Match Player Stats On Sep 24, 2016

The Sports Xchange
Sep 24, 2016

AUBURN, Ala. -- For a moment, it appeared that No. 18 LSU had stunned Auburn on a touchdown pass as time expired.

But the score was nullified after the play was reviewed and it was determined the ball was not snapped before the time expired, giving Auburn a most improbable18-13 victory Saturday night at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

On the previous play, LSU completed a pass for a first down at the Auburn 2-yard line. The first down would have stopped the clock with one second left until the down marker could be set. But LSU was called for an illegal shift, pushing the ball back to the 15-yard line.

Referee Hubert Owens announced that the clock would start on his motion. The ball was snapped and LSU quarterback Danny Etling scrambled right and bought enough time time to find D.J. Clark open in the back of the end zone.

Clark caught the ball and LSU (2-2, 1-1 SEC) stormed off the sidelines thinking it had won the game. But replays clearly showed the ball was not snapped before the clock hit 0:00.

Then Auburn (2-2, 1-1) stormed off the field victoriously as the thunderous roar from the crowd drowned out Owens' words that the play did not count.

Daniel Carlson kicked six field goals on six attempts to account for Auburn's scoring.

Auburn's offense looked much better than it did a week ago against Texas A&M. The Tigers moved the ball methodically for most of the game, outgaining LSU 388-338 in total offense.

But Auburn kept stalling in the red zone. The extra work didn't bother Carlson, who has made 29 of his last 30 field goals attempts and is 53 of 63 for his career.

LSU running back Leonard Fournette rushed for 101 yards on 16 carries.

Auburn led 9-7 at halftime on the strength of three Carlson field goals.

Replay led to two significant reversed calls in the first half.

An overturned call gave LSU its first touchdown. The initial ruling was that Foster Moreau was stopped about a yard short after lunging for the end zone. But replay showed the ball broke the plane of the goal line before Moreau tucked it in to avoid fumbling. That gave LSU a 7-3 lead.

The second came in the second quarter after Auburn linebacker Tre Williams sacked Etling. No flag was thrown, but after reviewing the play, officials determined that Williams hit Etling with the crown of his helmet. That turned a third-and-9 at the Auburn 39 into a first-and-10 at the 24. But Auburn's defense sacked Etling again and escaped when LSU missed a field goal attempt.

NOTES: Auburn coach Gus Malzahn made some changes for better luck. He traded his signature visor for a white ballcap (although he did keep the vest and sleeves look). ... Auburn is at home next week against Louisiana-Monroe. The last time the Tigers opened the season with five consecutive home games was 2005. LSU is at home against Missouri.