FINAL: Auburn 24 LSU 19

AUBURN – Welcome into Real-time analysis, our live play-by-play blog that runs throughout every Auburn football game. Tonight, we will be breaking down everything that transpires during No. 22 Auburn’s SEC opener in Baton Rouge.

This will be a stream of consciousness on things happening in the game as we analyze the hows and the whys of the Tigers game against LSU. If you like to dig deep and analyze the game, this is for you.

Make sure you have this page open and are refreshing throughout the game to get our thoughts on how the Tigers are performing in real time.

[Pate’s Perspective: It’s time to party like it’s 1999!]

[Five questions: The LSU game]

Pregame

Auburn Live’s Justin Hokanson reported these updates Thursday evening…

Both quarterbacks took first team reps this week. Finley did take all the first team reps on Sunday, then they split pretty evenly the rest of the week. I don’t expect Auburn to name a starter until Saturday right before the game. Both quarterbacks will prepare like they are starting and be ready to play.

Updated note: Multiple reports confirm Bo Nix will start against LSU.

Auburn is fairly healthy. Demetris Robertson has some health issues, but will dress and be available.

Sources have said that the receivers already seemed to have a different look to them this week under Eric Kiesau. His ability to explain this offense and make the kids understand is already showing. And just to confirm, again, Cornelius Williams departure was performance based. He was a hire that was made to recruit and build out the staff after missing out on other candidates. I don’t think he was ever a long term fix coaching that position under Harsin.

On Derek Mason, I’m still hopeful he changes things up on Saturday and is more aggressive, but I’m not optimistic he does. After speaking with people that have knowledge of how practice has been going, I think Mason may stick to his style and simply demand better execution. Let’s see how it plays out on Saturday.

On offense, I think the goal is for Auburn to run, run, and run some more. They have no intention of trying to pass 35 times, if they can help it. The Auburn offensive line will dictate things, but they’re going to run, toss sweep, and try and protect the quarterback and limit the advantage LSU may have in rushing the passer.

UPDATE: TD Moultry, Zykeivous Walker, and Owen Pappoe will not be available for Auburn tonight.

1st quarter

You’d love for Pritchett to get a chance to return one in this game.

Looks like Robertson will make it out there this week. Thats a good sign for the offense.

Well how about that.. Bo Nix used as a runner.. I like it.

Would have liked him to flip it over to Tank in the flats on that one.

Theres a good look. Planted the feet, had time and zipped it over. Good comfortable throw.

If Tank stays behind the movement he gets more yardage. There was a small push. Stop bouncing it.

Just my opinion.. Bigsby has too much freedom. He’s got to be more sound. Commit to where the movement is.

Does Mason open it up on defense? More man? Blitzes?

Different game this week as we wrote in five questions… receivers can make plays after the catch.

The pressure not quite getting home yet. That will have to change or its a long night.

Causing a hold is just as important as a sack.

I like that blitz look. Only brought 4, but had Derick Hall showing from the LB spot.

Height and Leota are being trusted to create pressure tonight.

Thats the break Auburn needed. You’d rather be lucky than good right?

It will be difficult to cover much better than that.. Puckett has to get his head around on time, but man.. Tip your hat. This was the concern coming in. playmakers at receiver.

I’m interested in what Harsin is taking note of. He has a big notebook in his hands.

Bo must move the chains however he can. He’s fighting right now and he knows he has to.

Kiesau is keeping close to Harsin.

Theres Tyler Fromm. Love to see it.

This is what Bo Nix brings you. He can make something out of nothing. If you roll the dice, you give him the opportunity to make things happen.

If Bo could understand that it’s ok to get a short gain here and there he’d be more effective.

Still a miscommunication with Bo and receivers. It is impossible for us to pinpoint the issue.. Something is off and it could be anyone’s fault at this point.

Leota with the pressure.. We said before the game that he is emerging. He has the best pass rush move set.

Once again, the pocket closed up on Johnson.. He’s not going to evade the pocket too often. That is crucial in stopping him.

Harris was fighting his tail off.. hands have to be in the right place.. its the little things right? and Hall might have to leave the game.. And if that’s targeting.. wow.

I honestly don’t know how to stop that quick slant off of the RPO look.. It is so successful.

You love seeing Roger in man coverage. He’s in his element there.

Great pressure again. That have taken that up a notch. Johnson makes the play. Credit where it is due.

Caleb Johnson makes an appearance.. Tony Fair oaks a big mistake. You can see the pain in Harsin’s eyes. You can lead a horse to water…

2nd quarter

Great rush from the middle. Wooden is penetrating and bothering Johnson. Bringing four could work tonight.

Zion Puckett so close to making a big play tonight.

Good coverage that time. The balance has to be there right? If the pass rush doesn’t get home, they have to rely on the coverage down field.. That time it was nice. Great hold for Auburn’s defense. They needed it for so many reasons.

Oh my.. It looks like Finley is heading in.

The play action from under center? I love it. The play call is great, Finley stands in and makes it happen. Wow. And then Troxell decides to be mean.. at the wrong time. I want that aggression during the whistle.

Finley eluded nicely… He is not the guy who is better at ad libbing.

4th down try.. interesting timing. Finley has nowhere to go with it. Pass protection isn’t good enough to help him wait either.

Auburn goes to Tampa 2 again.. Wooten drops to the deep third.. LSU hits where he left.

Pressure gets home again.. Thats the pass rush that can change Auburn’s fortune.

Got a matchup with Monday in man coverage. You go to that every time.

The secondary can’t afford to lose anyone tonight. They are having to add extra guys as it is. Knighten is in as the dime.. So who comes in now?

It looks like Tennison is the choice.

Lots of hands fighting in pass rush.. A helmet goes rolling.. Auburn lucky to not get a hands to the face again.

The shifts by Auburn’s front made LSU uncomfortable.. Nice! I watched Georgia do that all day to Arkansas. A field goal here is a win.

Nix checks back in. Throws a strike on sprint out.

And then another strike to Shed.

A rare drop by Shenker.. You see though that they are determined to make these QB’s settle in… Meanwhile Shenker redeems himself.

There’s the misdirection toss again.. Got to get something going in the run game.

I love the ways Bobo is scheming guys open.

Alec Jackson is in at left guard.. I really feel that is your best option.

There’s the inconsistency with Hudson.. Unfortunately you’re rolling the dice when you throw at Hudson.

You go for this right??

MAGIC. PURE MAGIC. This is why you start Nix. He’s always capable of that kind of play.

Give credit to Tyler Fromm for coming open at the right time.

JOKO WILLIS, Welcome sir.

Pritchett does not get completed on often..

Puckett has to use the boundary there.. take the right angle and you’ve got a stop!

I like the way Height reacted to the scramble there.. Keep him in front.

Simpson tries to take away the slant.. Really that’s the only way.. and you hope to get away with it… WAIT A MINUTE

Auburn getting a few breaks here.. Have to capitalize.

Shaun Shivers shows up at the right time. Bo checked it down and let his teammate make the play. Thats different.

Shenker re-redeems himself

Clock management to this point is pretty nice.. Giving themselves a chance to even it up.

Nice idea to go with the slant. Great play by Flott..

HOUDINI.. Really what else can you say? Robertson got open too.. give him credit.

What do you do with 30 seconds? You try to score.. Not sure what you run here. Have to keep it toward the boundaries.

Good job to throw it away. Keep the clock alive.

Carlson is true. Thats a big win for Auburn. Major drive.. Now do they come back and run the football some? Totally different gameplay than I would have thought.

3rd quarter

The onside kick? Robertson could’ve had it.. WOW

That really looked like holding, regardless, great hustle from Hall and Simpson to jump the throw.

So many opportunities for turnovers.. Auburn just can’t buy one.

Can’t do that my man.. bad play. bad time.

Marcus Harris does a great job fighting through the block and stuffing the run. Can Auburn hold?

Auburn survives in the redzone again. It’s a survival kind of night.

Interesting try at running the ball.. Hunter as the lead blocker for Nix.. But it wasn’t there.

And then the fly sweep to Bigsby.. Whatever gets the ground game going.

What can you say? Nobody is open.. Nix keeps going Paul Crewe. Give Shenker credit too. He kept gaining depth and then made a damn good catch.

This drive is OH so important. Have to finish it.

The offensive line can’t stop a 4 man rush consistently. Auburn needs Bo to do what he’s doing unfortunately.

Pressure has come from that side multiple times.. Just a perfect jump.

Auburn struggling to guess right in its coverages. Can they stop the bleeding? They have to.

Didn’t get lined up, but McClain takes matters into his own hands.

The turf monster with another great tackle for Auburn.

Derick Hall is starting to heat up some at that right edge… Can he come up with a big play?

Auburn. cannot. get. on. a. loose. ball.

No way Kaufman just did that..

Yikes man.. What in the world.

Theres the slow screen to the back. That play is so tough.

What a catch by Kobe.. What a throw. They keep hanging in there.

Interesting that Manning and Jackson are in at the guard spots.. They want to run the ball.

Great quick decision and step up to avoid edge pressure. Excellent.

4th quarter

It is absolutely imperative Auburn finishes this drive.. Momentum is needed.

JJ Pegues? is that you?

Two lead read options in a row.. I love it. I mean I love that. That’s what works for you, you went to it and Bo used his legs as he does so well.

The play calling on that drive was awesome.. the execution was even better.

What did I say earlier? It is becoming ridiculous.

WOW. rushed two and almost got there with Leota. Crazy

What a tackle by Jaylin Simpson. Welcome back.

Another change at the guard spots.. Council and Jones are back in.

He couldn’t do it again.. but he has a pocket closing around him.. I really don’t understand the change of guards.. The last group led the drive.. Stay with them. Thats frustrating for me.

You knew they’d come back to the slant. Its too tough.

The pass rush couldn’t have gotten home at a better time. GREAT rush by Wooden and Height in the middle. WOW

What does Mike Bobo do here? Plenty of time to run your normal offense. Tempo was effective earlier. The read lead plays at the goal line were good. Maybe come back to those again? Playbook should be wide open now.

The rhythm is way off because of the lack and inability to run the football.

Back in the zone on that one. Good coverage again downfield. It helps with an extra DB.

What did we talk about earlier? This is a game of survival.

This time Manning will be in for Jones.

That was dangerous Bo Nix.. Someone has to get open.

Shaun Shivers with an incredible play. Thats all him guys. Great catch. Survive.

The first time I’ve seen Bryan Harsin look nervous. He knows how big this is and he’s feeling the pressure.

THE MISDIRECTION TOSS.. It worked again.

This is why you worry about Nix.. Just take the play for no gain. Sometimes that’s the big play… and then he squeezes one in to Capers.

The same play.. we all saw it coming.. somehow LSU didn’t.

The toss crack.. love it. Hunter makes plays with limited space, man. WOW

And then the surge. Hunter took over the game.. Bigsby is nowhere to be found, and that’s ok for this drive. 24-19 Auburn.

Mason is comfortable leaving Roger on an island with Boutte.. He better hold on for dear life.

Again, the slant is coming in a dire situation. Its been there.

Pass rush is flirting with disaster.. They have to get home..

There he is.. You knew it was coming.

Ro Torrence checks in at such a crucial time..

Can Auburn survive on 4th? Here we go. Pass rush needs to get home.

BYDARRIUS KNIGHTEN. Derick Hall helped with late pressure from his spy position.

Ball game. Auburn 24 LSU 19. The streak is over.