It took a bulldozing Mike Dyer for the No. 23 Auburn Tigers to holler “WAR EAGLE” at the end of this one. He scored the game-winner with 30 second left and Auburn escaped with a 42-38 win over Utah State on Saturday
Now, if I would have told you that the Aggies would be up on the Tigers 21-14 at halftime, you might have believed me.
But what about leading 38-28 with four minutes to play? Well, believe it.
Utah State and quarterback Chuckie Keeton were four minutes from an historic win for the program. Keeton was a game manager. He completed 73.5-percent of his passes for 260 yards.
The Aggies of Utah State weren’t flashy, gutsy or hurried. They were consistent, determined and efficient.
The Utah State Aggies were in control for most of the game.
But, with 3:33 to go, Auburn woke up ans marched 65 yards in six plays – with two plays of over 20 yards – and the Tigers pulled within a score. Then Emory Blake recovered an onside kick for Auburn. Setting the stage for a seven-play 43-yard drive for a score – only leaving 30 seconds on the clock.
Auburn’s Barrett Trotter completed three passes and Onterio McCalebb and had runs of 10 and 14 yards on the final drive.
Auburn had squeaked out, they lead 42-38.
When Utah State took over after the ensuing kickoff, Keeton, a freshman, couldn’t do much but get sacked and complete a long pass at time expired.
An early scare for the SEC, for sure.
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