Big day today, as we head out to campus with the in-laws in tow. We tailgated with the nice folks from Gameday for Heroes. They’ve helped put donated tickets into the hands of more than 1,200 troops and their families this year. That’s a full infantry battalion. Just an amazing job they’ve done this year.
At the tailgate we saw Ken, for whom I worked at al.com. He was done on a campus tour with one of his kids. Ken graduated from Auburn with a master’s degree. His uncle attended Auburn. His great-grandfather was at Auburn before the Great War. And now another generation of their family maybe enrolling their next year.
We also saw our friend Wendy, who made it into town for the game. Her parents were there, and they’re lovely folks.
We made it into the stadium in time to find seats way up high in the end zone, watched the eagle flight, the band play and the football game unfold before us. Auburn ran out a 17-0 lead and found themselves tied at the end of a first half that felt very unsatisfying.
There was some question about what the second half might hold. Ole Miss had been outscored 77-21 in the 3rd quarter this year. Auburn was on the wrong side of a 55-40 equation for their season’s third quarter efforts. But the Tigers reeled off 24 unanswered points on their way to a 41-23 victory (that garbage time score by Ole Miss shouldn’t have even been allowed, technically). So the Tigers are 6-3, having escaped a murderous October with three wins — two of which were unexpected. Auburn is bowl eligible. Not bad for a team that started fall camp with 54 (!!!) freshmen on the roster. Twenty-one of them played in the season opener, the first collegiate game of their career.
That extra practice leading up to a bowl game is going to be a great addition to the 2012 prospects. But let’s not get ahead of things. There are still three more games to go in this year. And there are also pictures from Ole Miss.
Here’s T’Sharvan Bell, after intercepting a Randall Mackey pass and returning it 41 yards, setting up an Auburn field goal:
At least his hand is in focus.
Aubie had fun with Ole Miss’ rebellious mascot issue.
Kiehl Frazier carries for a minimal gain. Defenses are keying on him when he’s in the game. The freshman quarterback is going to have to stand up and throw the ball eventually.
Dyer found his way into the end zone on this score.
He finished the night 13th all time in school rushing. He’s on pace to finish the year 10th. He’s a sophomore, at Running Back U. He’s that good.
The Yankee and her parents, enjoying the game:
More from the game tomorrow.
