The Auburn Tigers (2-1, 0-0 SEC) welcomed the Missouri Tigers (2-1, 0-0 SEC) into Jordan-Hare Stadium today for the first time ever.
Auburn came into this contest looking to bounce back after taking a 41-12 loss to the Penn State Nittany Lions at home last week.
Missouri came into this one after a 34-17 win over the Abilene Christian Wildcats at home in Columbia, MO last week. This was the start of a tough three-game stretch for Missouri. They take on the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs at home next week, and then the No. 20 Florida Gators on the road the following week.
The Auburn defense started off strong, forcing Missouri to punt on their first drive. The drive was capped off by a sack from Colby Wooden for a loss of 12 yards.
Auburn did not waste any time on offense either, as their opening 14-play, 59-yard drive resulted in an 11-yard touchdown run from Robby Ashford. Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin said, "We had momentum in the beginning, then things kind of slowed down."
On Missouri's second drive, edge rusher Derrick Hall intercepted a tipped pass and carried it up to the Missouri 23-yard line.
"We were plus two on turnovers today. That's exactly where we wanted to be," Harsin said.
Auburn took advantage of the short field on a five-play drive that finished with a touchdown run from Tank Bigsby.
Auburn led 14-0 at the end of the first quarter.
On Missouri's third drive of the game, they went on a nine play, 54 yard drive which resulted in a nine yard touchdown run by Cody Schrader.
Auburn responded with a drive that looked promising at the beginning, but stalled out quickly. A field-flipping 61 yard punt from Oscar Chapman prevented Missouri from having excellent field position with five minutes left to play in the first half.
Missouri did not end up needing help from Auburn on that drive as Brady Cook connected with Dominic Lovett for a gain of 40 yards on the second play. They ended up covering 79 yards in 11 plays and the drive was capped off with a qb sneak by Brady Cook with 30 seconds left in the first half.
Auburn started the final drive of the first half on their own 25-yard line. They were able to drive to the Missouri 28-yard line and attempt a field goal. Anders Carlson missed the 45 yard attempt.
The score was tied at 14 at the half.
Missouri out gained Auburn in the first half 173 yards to 122. Missouri had 95 through the air and 78 on the ground. Auburn had 45 through the air and 77 on the ground.
Auburn opened the second half on their own 25-yard line. They were able to gain seven yards but ended up punting.
Missouri ended up going three and out on their first drive of the second half as well, but a 60 yard punt from Jack Stonehouse made up for it.
Auburn started their next drive inside their own five yard line. They drove up to midfield, but an incomplete backwards pass from Holden Geriner cost Auburn greatly. They punted from their own 25-yard line, but Oscar Chapman was able to pin Missouri deep in their own territory with a 53 yard punt.
Auburn's next drive started at their own 34-yard line. Holden Geriner connected with John Samuel Shenker for an eight-yard gain and a first down on the third play. Three plays later he was sacked and Auburn punted the ball back to Missouri.
Missouri started on their own 15-yard line on the next drive. Brady Cook was sacked by Eku Leota for a loss of 10 yards. They gained 12 yards on the next play to set up third down and eight from their own 17-yard line.
The third quarter ended during that drive, the game was still tied at 14.
When play resumed, Jaylin Simpson forced an incompletion. Once again, Missouri flipped the field thanks to a booming punt from Jack Stonehouse.
Robby Ashford was back in at quarterback for Auburn on the next possession, which ended in yet another three and out.
Auburn started a drive on their own 20 yard line with 7:50 left in the game. Ashford connected with Moore for a gain of 24 yards on the first play. Once again, Auburn had a drive that looked promising but then stalled out. Chapman was once again able to pin Missouri deep in their own territory.
Auburn's next drive started at their own 42-yard line. Ashford connected with Moore for a 20 yard gain on the first play. Three plays later, Ashford scrambled up to the Missouri 29-yard line to set up a crucial fourth down and one. Auburn decided to go for it, but the sneak attempt came up short.
Missouri took possession on their own 29-yard line. Cook gained 14 yards from a quarterback draw on the first play. Three plays later Cook connected with Barrett Banister for a gain of nine yards and a first down. Three plays later Cook found Lovett for a gain of 39 yards to bring Missouri up to Auburn's three-yard line. The drive ended with a missed field goal as time expired.
Regulation was not enough and this game went to overtime.
Auburn had first possession and it ended with an 39-yard field goal from Anders Carlson. Harsin said, "We trust Anders. No doubt about it."
Missouri fumbled in the end zone and it was ruled a touchback.
Auburn won the game 17-14. Harsin said, "I think everybody in that locker room is exhausted in a good way."
"Missouri is a very good football team. They are well coached and he came prepared," Harsin said.
Missouri ended up out gaining Auburn 312 yards to 217. Missouri had 179 through the air and 133 on the ground. Auburn had 135 through the air and 82 on the ground.
Auburn played more disciplined this afternoon, only getting called for four penalties for 26 yards. Missouri got called for seven penalties for 45 yards.
Brady Cook was the game's leading passer, going 14-24 for 179 yards. Robby Ashford was Auburn's leading passer going 12-18 for 127 yards. Nathaniel Peat for Missouri was the game's leading rusher with 110 yards off of 20 carries. Auburn's leading rusher was Robby Ashford who had 46 yards and one touchdown off of 15 carries. Dominic Lovett was the game's leading receiver with 102 yards off of five catches. Koy Moore was Auburn's leading receiver with 74 yards off of four catches.
Auburn will be back in action next week for another Tiger Fight with LSU.
"We know they're going to come with a vengeance this year so we've got to bring our a-game going into the game this week," linebacker Owen Pappoe said.
The game will kick off at 6:00 P.M.
