Even in Auburn's long and storied history they have not won too many road shootouts like that. The first one that comes to mind for me was against Florida State in 1984 but Auburn was not near as big a underdog in that one. The 1994 Florida game might be a closer comparison. Auburn was able to get enough stops against a great quarterback and offense in that game because of an outstanding effort on the defensive line and that is exactly what happened yesterday against the Aggies. That is of course along with one of the great offensive efforts in Auburn history.
The Auburn offense was better yesterday than pretty much the best offense in college football. Texas A&M has one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time in Johnny Manziel, the best receiver in college football in Mike Evans and one of the best offensive minds in the game in coach Kevin Summerlin. The Auburn offense led by a relentless rushing attack was more balanced, gained a few more yards, had a few more minutes of possession and most important had a few more points.
Auburn had close to 400 yards rushing and as I have stated before when you rush for 400 yards against somebody you take their manhood. Texas A&M has one of the worst defensive units in the conference but even considering that Auburn's offensive effort yesterday was incredible. It starts up front and Auburn's offensive line paved the way aided by juggernaut Jay Prosch. Auburn's offensive line was filled with potential but the jury was still out on them starting the season. The verdict is in and it is good. At running back, Tre Mason continues to amaze and show he is another great one at "Running Back U". Mason has unbelievable balance and just will not go down. He turned in his best performance to date with 178 yards on 27 carries yesterday.
Nick Marshall is not Cam Newton but he is also not Chris Todd, Barrett Trotter or Clint Moseley. He is a playmaker and he made a ton more yesterday. I have never seen a guy who could overthrow a pass by 20 yards and then come back the next play and deliver a beautiful pass Peyton Manning would have a hard time throwing. Marshall also delivered with his legs putting up his second consecutive 100 yard rushing effort. He also showed his mettle again converting time and time again under pressure. Sammie Coates shrugged off a horrible late first half drop to be Auburn's best at wide receiver grabbing over 100 yards and a big touchdown.
The play of the day though for me was Marshall to Marcus Davis on a critical 3rd and 9 on the game-winning touchdown drive. It was a pass and catch I will not soon forget. Marcus Davis has already caught more critical passes as a true freshman than most Auburn receivers have caught in their entire careers. I hope Marcus keeps to the straight and narrow and has a great career at Auburn. Juggernaut Jay Prosch might have had the next biggest catch rumbling for 56 yards. Talk about a special player, Prosch is a huge reason this offense has been so successful.
I felt like I had been put through the wringer after that game. The defense did enough to win but it was certainly tough to watch in some spots. A couple of times A&M scored in the blink of an eye. You also just cannot let one receiver gain almost 300 yards. On the flip side, it was killing me watching the defense get stops in the first half and our offense not capitalize. I hated giving up that touchdown at halftime. I know Coates should have had that ball but I think it would have been much smarter to run the ball 3 times and hopefully get that first down and start the second half even.
Let me also address the controversial "horse collar" no-call at the end of the game. That probably was a horse collar by Kris Frost at the end but Texas A&M fans have zero and I mean zero grounds for complaining after their team got away with some egregious holding in that game. I know the SEC doesn't call holding anymore and that is one thing but I do not think A&M was called one time all day for holding and that was beyond ridiculous. I was losing my mind watching some of the holding they were getting away with. Let me also say that is why Auburn fans have been calling for Kris Frost, the guy ran down Johnny Manziel one-on-one in the open field.
This game has so many snapshots to remember... Nick Marshall's touchdown runs, Ryan White's goal line interception, big runs by Corey Grant and Ricardo Louis, Jay Prosch rumbling down the field, Sammie Coates bursting through for a touchdown, Manziel down, the huge pass to Marcus Davis, Tre Mason pounding away and stretching for that game winning touchdown. This was truly a Saturday to remember. I have tried not to talk about last year much once this season started but this is a time to do that. Texas A&M humiliated us last year in our house. It is hard to describe how far this Auburn team has come to beat those same Aggies on the road this year.
I, for one, have remained skeptical but there is no denying now what is happening down on the plains. This Auburn team is coming together and is improving every week. They are a team to be reckoned with now by anybody. Auburn will now be favored at Arkansas and Tennessee. Those games especially Tennessee will not be easy on the road. Auburn is still not good enough to take teams for granted but with that said there is a good chance Auburn could be 9-1 coming home to play both Georgia and Bama. The impossible dream is starting to be whispered about.
How far can these guys go? That will be the story of the rest of this amazing football season. I cannot tell you how far these guys can go but I can tell you they have already come a long way, longer than most thought, including myself. This team is becoming one of those special Auburn teams that comes out of nowhere, rising from the ashes. These teams are a big part of what makes Auburn so special. It is good to be a part of one again.
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