GAME DAY: Auburn vs. Vanderbilt

Hey everyone. Getting it going. I rolled in without incident, as is customary for these 11:30 kickoffs. Hard to get fired up this early in the morning. How do you think Vanderbilt feels? Surely they play a LOT of early games.

I'll pass that one down to the research department.

Thanks for visiting the HOTTEST Auburn blog on the 'net.

--------GAME COVERAGE--------

CURRENT SCORE:
AUB -- 35
VAN -- 7
FINAL

AU (1st, 7:02) -- Ben Tate 4 run (Wes Byrum kick)
AU (1st, 2:55) -- Rod Smith 2 pass from Brandon Cox (Byrum kick)
AU (2nd, 14:24) -- Mario Fannin 22 run (Byrum kick)
AU (2nd, 3:29) -- Brad Lester 17 run (Byrum kick)
AU (3rd, 8:57) -- Lester 5 run (Byrum kick)
VAN (4th, 4:57) -- Cassen Jackson-Garrison 1 run (Bryan Hanfeldt kick)

Third quarter review: You can see what's happening. Auburn's offense got on a big roll there in the first half and that's a wrap. Vanderbilt has played better with backup quarterback Mackenzi Adams in the game. Still doesn't matter. The Tigers' defense is using some third-team guys and VU still isn't having much success. There was so much push along Auburn's offensive front today. That's what stood out on offense. S Zac Etheridge has been the defensive star today.

Of note is the appearance of LB Joshua Bynes and CB Ryan Williams. They were redshirting. They played today, which means they no longer are redshirting. Auburn needed some depth at linebacker with Tray and Merrill out. But cornerback? I'd like to hear the reasoning on that.

First quarter review: Auburn is getting a great push up front. Tyronne Green pushed his man to the opposite side of the field during a second-possession play. It's nuts. Brandon Cox is 6-of-6 right now. It's all clicking right now. The defense has forced a pair of three-and-outs already. Vandy has held the ball three times so far.



Early update:LB Tray Blackmon is not playing. Safety Aairon Savage also is out. Blackmon is struggling with that ankle. Bo Harris has been playing a lot at linebacker to compensate. Ben Tate and Mario Fannin started together. Brad Lester was subbed in during the first drive. Fannin and Lester are lining up as wideouts far more often than usual today. The first scoring drive was pretty innovative.