After escaping from a scrappy Kansas State team last Thursday, the Auburn Tigers return home to Jordan-Hare Stadium to take on the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. Louisiana Tech, 2-2 on the season after last week's loss to Northwestern State, provided a very different kind of test...here's what we saw in the first half:
Setting The Tone
While Auburn's offense didn't look sharp on their first two drives of the game, the defense clearly came ready to play. After forcing a three-and-out on Louisiana Tech's first series, Montravious Adams continued his excellent start to the season by picking off a Cody Sokol pass and returning it 36 yards to the Bulldogs' five-yard-line.
Trouble In The Trenches
Auburn's offense didn't look sharp against Kansas State, and their frustrations continued in the first half today. The root of the problem? Auburn's offensive line still looks shaky, and it wasn't until late in the second quarter that they settled into a rhythm. After Nick Marshall found some room on a series of draw plays, the offense finally settled down and the playbook opened up, setting up a field goal and one of the most stunning touchdown catches in recent memory.
The Duke Williams Show Continues
Auburn's play of the season? It's too early to say for sure, but Duke Williams definitely has the early lead. When Nick Marshall's pass took a deflection on its way to the end zone, Jordan-Hare held its breath as two defenders closed in...but somehow, Duke Williams reached out behind him to snatch the pass from in between the two Louisiana Tech players. In real time, it looked impossible...but there was Williams, holding the ball in the end zone. The play put Auburn up 17-0, and they rode that momentum into a 24-3 halftime lead.
Conversion Issues
While Auburn looks to be in full control, the Tigers went just 2-7 on third-down conversions...something Gus Malzahn was clearly less than thrilled about. If the offensive line and running game can continue their momentum into the second half, that conversion percentage should get better in a hurry.
Auburn First-Half MVP: DL Montravius Adams
While Nick Marshall and his nearly 200 first-half yards (evenly split between passing and rushing) would be the obvious choice, Adams was absolutely everywhere for the Tigers defense. His early interception and return set up Cameron Artis-Payne's touchdown run, and he was there again on a fumble recovery that set up Quan Bray's touchdown to put Auburn up 24-0 in the second.
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