Auburn, ALA (EETV)-
The Auburn Tigers welcomed in the Liberty Flames to Jordan Hare on Saturday. Saturday also marked Senior Day for 16 players and the coaching staff wanted to send them out with a win as a thanks for their hard work over the last four years.
Auburn did just that as the Tigers left Jordan-Hare with a 53-0 shutout win. Dominating in all three phases of the game.
It started with a 53-yard field goal by Anders Carlson on Auburn's opening drive and then Darrell Williams intercepted a pass and returned it 26 yards for a touchdown. It was the first interception for Williams and just the start of the dominance on the defensive side of the ball for the Tigers.
On just the next drive, special teams made a play as cornerback Jordyn Peters came around the edge and blocked a punt that went out of the back of the end zone for a safety. It was the third blocked punt of the season for Peters and the first blocked punt for a safety since 2011.
The offense started off a little slow and did not score their first touchdown until midway through the second quarter but once they got going they were hard to stop as four of their next six drives ended in touchdowns.
Jarrett Stidham accounted for two first-half touchdowns, one of which being a 32-yard pass to Sal Cannella right before the end of the second quarter giving Auburn a 32-0 lead at the half. Stidham would finish the day 12-18 for 178 yards and two touchdowns through the air and one on the ground. Running back Kam Martin would rush for over 100 yards in the first half finishing with 116 on the day.
As a team Auburn ran for 340 yards and had a total of 531 yards for the game. Freshman Seth Williams, who was named SEC Freshman of the Week earlier this season, and freshman Shaun Shivers both scored touchdowns and backup quarterback Malik Willis added a score on the ground late in the third quarter.
The Tiger defense pitched a shutout for the first time this season allowing no points and only 134 total offensive yards.
Auburn forced four total turnovers as Big Kat Bryant and T.D. Moultry both had sacks that resulted in fumbles, Williams and Smoke Monday both had interceptions.
It was just the second game this season where Auburn scored in all three phases; Offense, Defense, and Special Teams
The Tigers close out the regular season next week as they head to Tuscaloosa to take on No. 1 Alabama. Kickoff is slated for 2:30 p.m. CDT and will be televised on CBS.
