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AUBURN |
CAL |
Auburn rallies past mistake-prone California for 14-10 victory
BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) Payton Thorne threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Rovaldo Fairweather following California's third missed field goal of the game and Tigers rallied for a 14-10 victory on Saturday night.
“I don’t think we could have played any uglier or sloppier on offense. I’m really proud of our defense,” coach Hugh Freeze said. “All the credit goes to to to that side of the ball tonight. There’s going to be nights where we can score 50 and we might have to to win. And there’s going to be times where they got to hold them to 10 and we got to score 11. This is one of those nights with how poorly we played on our offense.”
Auburn (2-0) had been stagnant most of the night offensively, generating only six first downs in the first three quarters before putting together a 69-yard drive midway through the fourth quarter to take the lead.
The key play on the drive was a 28-yard pass from Thorne to Fairweather to convert a third-and-17.
The Golden Bears (1-1) had a chance to come back after Jarquez Hunter lost a fumble for at Auburn at the Tigers 41 with 4:00 left. Cal drove down to the 15 but got backed up by a holding penalty and then Sam Jackson V threw an interception in the end zone on fourth and 13 with 1:44 to play.
Auburn ran out the clock from there, winning the game despite four turnovers and only 230 yards of offense.
“We found a way to win and we can grow from that,” Freeze said. “I think that’s what this season’s really about, is us finding a way to grow and and get better each week. We got better defensively tonight. We took a step back offensively. It’s very uncharacteristic. We really take pride everywhere we’ve been in not having many penalties and not turning the ball over and boy tonight was not that.”
The Bears were also done in by the special teams mishaps with Michael Luckhurst missing two field goals from 42 yards and another from 44 to give him five missed field goals in two games this season. He also had a 51-yarder taken off the board by a holding penalty late in the first half.
“We had a great opportunity that we let slip through our hands,” Cal coach Justin Wilcox said. “It’s very frustrating, extremely frustrating. ... Nobody is going to feel sorry for us. I don’t feel sorry for us. We have to do better. We have the guys to do it. Unfortunately, we had so many chances but couldn’t do it.”
This game was a complete reversal from the style both teams played in lopsided openers against overmatched teams. Cal and Auburn combined for 117 points last week in wins over North Texas and Massachusetts, respectively, but came nowhere close to matching that output in their first meeting ever.
Auburn got off to a rough start with Thorne losing a fumble on the first drive of the game. The Tigers had three turnovers and four first downs for the entire first half but only trailed 10-7.
Cal missed a 41-yard field goal, had a 51-yarder negated by a holding penalty and lost a fumble at its own 17 to set up Auburn's only TD of the half on Thorne's 13-yard pass to Jay Fair.
The Bears got their only TD of the half on Jaydn Ott's 14-yard run after Damari Alston lost a fumble for Auburn.
THE TAKEAWAY
Auburn: Thorne, a transfer from Michigan State, struggled in his second start for the Tigers. He finished 9 for 14 for 94 yards with two turnovers but did have the two TD passes. Eugene Asante was the star defensively with 12 tackles, a sack and a pass breakup.
California: The Bears failed to take advantage of prime scoring chances, netting only three points on three drives that started at the Auburn 35 or closer in the first half. They had eight drives in all that got inside the Auburn 40 and came away with only 10 points on those possessions.
“We just had so many self-inflicted wounds,” Jackson said.
UP NEXT
Auburn: Hosts Samford on Saturday.
California: Hosts Idaho on Saturday.
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P. Thorne
1 QB 94 PaYds, 2 PaTDs, INT, 2 RuYds |
|
J. Ott
1 RB 78 RuYds, RuTD, 6 ReYds, 2 RECs |
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
1st Downs | 12 | 18 |
Rushing | 6 | 8 |
Passing | 5 | 9 |
Penalty | 1 | 1 |
3rd Down Conv | 4-12 | 4-18 |
4th Down Conv | 0-1 | 3-5 |
Total Net Yards | 230 | 273 |
Total Plays | 55 | 78 |
Avg Gain | 4.2 | 3.5 |
Net Yards Rushing | 136 | 113 |
Rush Attempts | 38 | 40 |
Avg Rush Yards | 3.6 | 2.8 |
Yards Passing | 94 | 160 |
Comp. - Att. | 10-17 | 21-38 |
Yards Per Pass | 3.7 | 3.6 |
Penalties - Yards | 7-56 | 4-41 |
Touchdowns | 2 | 1 |
Rushing TDs | 0 | 1 |
Passing TDs | 2 | 0 |
Other | 0 | 0 |
Turnovers | 4 | 3 |
Fumbles - Lost | 3-3 | 2-1 |
Int. Thrown | 1 | 2 |
Punts - Avg | 5-40.8 | 4-42.5 |
Return Yards | 35 | 0 |
Punts - Returns | 2-10 | 1-0 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 2-25 | 1-0 |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
|
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
P. Thorne
1 QB
|
P. Thorne | 9/14 | 94 | 2 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
R. Ashford
9 QB
|
R. Ashford | 1/3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
J. Hunter
27 RB
|
J. Hunter | 11 | 53 | 0 | 19 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Alston
22 RB
|
D. Alston | 8 | 51 | 0 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Cobb
23 RB
|
J. Cobb | 3 | 20 | 0 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. Ashford
9 QB
|
R. Ashford | 4 | 8 | 0 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. Thorne
1 QB
|
P. Thorne | 8 | 2 | 0 | 7 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
R. Fairweather
13 TE
|
R. Fairweather | 3 | 3 | 39 | 1 | 28 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Fair
5 WR
|
J. Fair | 3 | 2 | 25 | 1 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Alston
22 RB
|
D. Alston | 2 | 2 | 19 | 0 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Johnson Jr.
16 WR
|
M. Johnson Jr. | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
E. Asante
9 LB
|
E. Asante | 10-2 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. James
4 CB
|
D. James | 5-0 | 0.0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Simpson
36 CB
|
J. Simpson | 4-0 | 0.0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Kaufman
5 S
|
D. Kaufman | 4-3 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Nasili-Kite
33 DL
|
M. Nasili-Kite | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. Nixon III
30 LB
|
L. Nixon III | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Scott
0 CB
|
K. Scott | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. McLeod
35 LB
|
J. McLeod | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Jones
99 DL
|
J. Jones | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Lee
3 CB
|
K. Lee | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Z. Puckett
10 S
|
Z. Puckett | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. McAllister
11 LB
|
E. McAllister | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. Johnson
92 DL
|
L. Johnson | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Faulk
15 DL
|
K. Faulk | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. Sings V
18 LB
|
S. Sings V | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Riley
13 LB
|
C. Riley | 0-2 | 0.0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
A. McPherson
38 K
|
A. McPherson | 0/0 | 0 | 2/2 | 2 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
O. Chapman
91 P
|
O. Chapman | 5 | 40.8 | 3 | 49 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
S. Jackson V
5 QB
|
S. Jackson V | 14/27 | 126 | 0 | 2 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
J. Ott
1 RB
|
J. Ott | 20 | 78 | 1 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Stredick
31 RB
|
A. Stredick | 8 | 24 | 0 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||
I. Ifanse
22 RB
|
I. Ifanse | 4 | 15 | 0 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. Jackson V
5 QB
|
S. Jackson V | 5 | 6 | 0 | 11 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
T. Davis
9 WR
|
T. Davis | 5 | 3 | 36 | 0 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Grizzell
83 WR
|
T. Grizzell | 5 | 4 | 36 | 0 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Hunter
3 WR
|
J. Hunter | 8 | 5 | 35 | 0 | 22 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
B. Hightower
7 WR
|
B. Hightower | 5 | 2 | 21 | 0 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Ott
1 RB
|
J. Ott | 3 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Stredick
31 RB
|
A. Stredick | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Endries
87 TE
|
J. Endries | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
K. Elarms-Orr
53 LB
|
K. Elarms-Orr | 8-5 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Woodson
2 DB
|
C. Woodson | 5-4 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Sirmon
8 LB
|
J. Sirmon | 3-3 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. McMorris
9 DB
|
P. McMorris | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. Williams
3 DB
|
N. Williams | 2-0 | 0.0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Reese
7 LB
|
D. Reese | 2-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. Correia
91 DL
|
R. Correia | 2-1 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Jernigan
33 LB
|
M. Jernigan | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Wilkins
96 DL
|
D. Wilkins | 1-1 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Williams
13 DB
|
M. Williams | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
X. Carlton
44 LB
|
X. Carlton | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Moore
4 DB
|
K. Moore | 0-3 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. Burrell
98 DL
|
N. Burrell | 0-3 | 0.0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
M. Luckhurst
16 K
|
M. Luckhurst | 1/4 | 39 | 1/1 | 4 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
L. Wilson
37 P
|
L. Wilson | 4 | 42.5 | 0 | 46 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
L. Hearns III
15 DB
|
L. Hearns III | 1 | 16.0 | 16 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
J. Hunter 3 WR
|
J. Hunter | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
1st | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
15:00 | AUBURN 22 | 1:27 | 3 | 13 | Fumble |
9:42 | AUBURN 6 | 2:06 | 3 | -5 | Punt |
4:09 | AUBURN 25 | 1:57 | 5 | 13 | Punt |
0:55 | AUBURN 33 | 2:45 | 5 | 12 | Punt |
2nd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
13:01 | CAL 17 | 1:11 | 3 | 17 | TD |
9:26 | AUBURN 39 | 2:06 | 4 | 26 | Fumble |
4:47 | AUBURN 24 | 1:06 | 3 | 8 | Punt |
1:25 | AUBURN 24 | 0:22 | 1 | -5 | INT |
3rd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
8:20 | AUBURN 36 | 2:23 | 5 | 23 | Downs |
1:51 | AUBURN 26 | 2:04 | 5 | 5 | Punt |
4th | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
11:08 | AUBURN 27 | 4:37 | 10 | 69 | TD |
5:24 | AUBURN 22 | 1:24 | 2 | 19 | Fumble |
1:44 | AUBURN 20 | 1:44 | 6 | 11 | Game |
1st | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
13:33 | AUBURN 35 | 3:51 | 8 | 13 | FG |
7:36 | AUBURN 33 | 3:27 | 7 | 8 | FG Miss |
2:12 | CAL 13 | 1:17 | 3 | 7 | Punt |
2nd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
13:10 | CAL 17 | 0:09 | 1 | 0 | Fumble |
11:50 | CAL 25 | 2:24 | 6 | 11 | Punt |
7:22 | CAL 35 | 2:33 | 6 | 65 | TD |
3:41 | CAL 19 | 2:16 | 6 | 15 | Punt |
1:03 | AUBURN 34 | 1:03 | 4 | -10 | INT |