The Flames got shutout for the first time since the Ken Karcher days, getting blitzed by Auburn, 53-0.
Throughout every game, there are several moments or plays that go unnoticed, or could be overlooked. Still, they play a huge role in the eventual outcome.
Let’s look at five plays that changed the direction of this game:
Flames unable to convert on first drive of the game – Liberty opened the game with a successful drive, moving the ball into Auburn territory thanks to two 3rd down conversions and 3 first downs. Facing a 3rd and 4 from the 35, Buckshot threw it deep for B.J. Farrow. A ball that had no chance of being caught. Deciding to go for it, Calvert dumped it off to Peytton Pickett on a screen pass that was stopped one yard short of the first down marker.
53 yard field goal puts the Tigers on the board – On Auburn’s first drive of the game, the Flames’ defense got a stop and forced a 53 yard field goal attempt. Unfortunately, the kick was perfect as Auburn took the early 3-0 lead.
Darrell Williams with a pick-6 – Just two plays later, linebacker Darrell Williams made an athletic interception and returned it for a touchdown as Auburn began to put the game out of reach in the first quarter.
Alves’ punt blocked for a safety – The ensuing Liberty possession picked up just 2 yards on 3 plays. Aidan Alves’ punt was blocked as the Auburn special teams’ unit blew up the play. The blocked punt careened out of the back of the end zone for a safety. 12 points in less than a minute for the Tigers to take an early 12-0 lead.
Auburn scores first offensive touchdown on 4th and goal in 2nd quarter – Liberty’s defense had performed admirably through the first quarter and a half, not allowing a touchdown during that span. With a 15-0 lead, the Tigers drove deep into the Liberty red zone where they faced a 4th and goal from the 1 yard line. Quarterback Jarrett Stidham was able to walk into the end zone on the keeper to move to a 22-0 lead. At that point, the game was all but over.
