2023 Week 6

One would think as defending national champs, Auburn would blowout a lesser foe like Tennessee. Certainly Auburn would not overlook a pesky Volunteer team, would they?

Auburn came out of the gates looking flatter than a coke that had been in a refrigerator for 5 weeks. They finally got on the board at the end of the first quarter when their HB Marks ran for 50 yards untouched to score. Their defense was pretty stout until 1:57 left in the second quarter. On that Tennessee drive Mark Mitchell hit a 46 yard bomb to Chris Lundy to set up the play from the Auburn four yard line. A quick handoff to Chris Smith and the Vols had tied the game up.

Auburn worked quickly and effectively in the final 10 seconds before half. Reggie Ryan hit Reggie Tuiasosopo in stride for a 43 yard touchdown strike to take the lead 14-7 in halftime. Tennessee came out and started the third quarter with a punch in the face. Justin Smith broke three tackles and ran 65 yards untouched. Now the game was tied up once again for the Vols.

Late in the third quarter a key interception by Jerome Abdullah, the 5-11 Free Safety, gave Tennessee a chance to take the 17-14 lead on a Jake Barr 43 yard field goal. At the start of the fourth quarter, Auburn had a chance to get some more points but a key Caleb Walker sack stopped Auburn from getting in scoring position.

Seizing upon the Auburn punt, Tennessee drive 37 yards to get in field goal range for a 51 yard field goal by Jake Barr. This put the lead at 20-14. Clearly, Auburn fans were starting to get worried with only 5:34 left in the game. Auburn was marching routinely down field when Jerome Abdullah once again made an amazing catch for an interception.

Tennessee had the ball at the 34 yard line with about four minutes left in the game. Having another close lead, it seemed Coach Batten and Minton talked it over and wanted to give the ball to their play-maker, Justin Smith. Having did that, the Vols had a little trouble and a key decision time was made for the Volunteers. Fourth down and three on Auburn's 48 yard line. Do you go for it or do you punt it and hope for your defense to make a stop leading 20-14?

Coach Batten calmly called a timeout and discussed strategy with the team. After the time out, the Vols came out in the strong-normal formation, but this time QB Cedric Washington came in to snap the ball. It was a great decision, Auburn was clearly taken off-guard with the 3rd string quarterback in. Cedric had a great run and got past the first down marker and pitched the ball to Justin Smith as he was falling to the ground. The play helped Tennessee to finish off the long 10 play, 66 yard drive with a 5 yard touchdown run by Justin Smith. Tennessee did manage to force a stop and kneeled down to upset #2 Auburn 28-14!

"I am more than proud of this team. Upsetting the #2 team in the land and defending national champs is something this team can be proud of. We have 4 wins right now and need two more to get to a bowl game. Getting to a bowl this year is our goal. Justin Smith is by far Heisman material and the media needs to recognize this, without him we would be sitting at 0-5. Now for this win, I want these guys to enjoy the victory, for next week we get slaughtered by a tough South Carolina team. It's a home game for us, so I hope the fans come to the game and will us to not get slaughtered. Having only about 10-20 fans for the first three home games was not what I expected. " Said an overjoyed Coach Batten.