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Auburn had no difficulties with visiting Liberty on Saturday in the final game of the 2018 season at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The Tigers, as expected, dominated in every aspect of their 53-0 victory and will take a 7-4 record into the Iron Bowl.
Many facets of the game produced positive results for Auburn and few did not. In fact, it was difficult to find any fault with the Tigers’ performance on Saturday. Still, here are five things I liked about the Tigers’ victory and three aspects Auburn could improve.
Things I liked
1. Use of running backs to keep everyone fresh: Four different running backs touched the football in the first quarter. The diversity proved effective. Kam Martin rushed for more than 100 yards midway into the second quarter and finished with a game-high 116 yards on 17 carries. In all, 10 Auburn players ran the ball, totaling 340 yards on 61 carries.
2. Defense tightened up after opening drive: It appeared as though the Tigers weren’t ready for what Liberty would throw at them. The Flames drove 42 yards in 12 plays on their opening drive. But the Auburn defense slammed the door after that initial drive ended on downs at the Auburn 33-yard line. For the game, the Tigers held the Flames to just 55 rushing yards and 79 passing yards.
3. The ease with which the passing attack shined: The Tigers had their way on the ground and that opened up the passing game. Quarterback Jarrett Stidham took advantage. With plenty of time to find open receivers, the Auburn signal-caller piled up the stats. He completed 12-of-18 passes for 178 yards and two touchdowns in three quarters then got the rest of the day off.
4. Converting turnovers into points: The Tigers defense came up with two first-half turnovers, both resulting in touchdowns to help push the lead to 32-0 at halftime. Linebacker Darrell Williams returned an interception 26 yards for a touchdown, and Big Kat Bryant recorded a sack and forced a fumble that was recovered by Derrick Brown at the Liberty 33-yard line, setting up another Tigers touchdown.
5. Continuing the intensity in the second half: Even after taking a 32-0 lead into at halftime, the Tigers came out in the second half with the same intensity and determination, scoring on their initial drive of the third quarter as well as the third possession.
Things that need improvement
1. Not defending the opening drive: Liberty drove 42 yards in 12 plays to open the game, keeping the ball nearly six minutes. It proved to be meaningless but it was not a good start, certainly not the kind of beginning the Tigers can afford next week or in their bowl game.
2. Lack of third-down conversions: Regardless of the score, converting on third down is a must against conference opponents. The Tigers started out 0-for-4 against a Liberty defense it otherwise dominated. For the game, Auburn converted only 2-of-12 third-down opportunities.
3. Shanked first field goal: Ian Shannon shanked a 35-yard field goal attempt in his initial try. It was a good spot to give Shannon his opportunity, and he’ll make more than he misses. But the miss was one of the only negatives in the easy victory.
Glenn Sattell is an award-winning freelance writer for Saturday Down South.
