Instant Analysis: Auburn drops a 17-point lead in 21-17 loss against LSU

LSU cornerback Greg Brooks Jr picked off a Robby Ashford pass on 2nd and 11 with 2:18 left in the game to seal a comeback 21-17 against Auburn on Saturday at Jordan-Hare. Auburn knocked on the door in LSU territory before Brooks Jr returned the interception for 30 yards to the Auburn 45-yard line.

Auburn lost its second game of the 2022 season after taking a 17-point lead against LSU. Head coach Bryan Harsin’s squad finishes its season-opening five-game homestand 3-2 with wins against Mercer, San Jose State, and last week’s overtime win against Missouri. The 29-point loss against Penn State and giving up a 17-point lead while getting shutout in the second half loom as considerable demerits against Harsin.

Ashford had 337 passing yards on 19-38 passing attempts with two touchdowns on his birthday. However, he fumbled four times and got sacked twice in defeat.

Auburn (3-2, 1-1 SEC) heads to Athens for a matchup against the University of Georgia.

Here are some key observations:

Blown lead

Auburn took a 14-0 lead for the second consecutive week on Robby Ashford’s 18-yard pass to Camden Brown on first down with 14:04 remaining in the second quarter. Ashford led the offense 99 yards on six plays, Auburn’s eighth 99-yard drive since 1996 and first since 2020 against LSU.

Brown caught his first career touchdown on Ashford’s throw. It was the second touchdown pass to a wide receiver of the game and the season. Auburn’s second touchdown was set up by a 61-yard throw from Ashford to runningback Jarquez Hunter out of the backfield. Ashford saw the play break down and scrambled until Hunter got open.

Ja’Varrius Johnson caught a 53-yard touchdown pass from Ashford on Auburn’s opening drive to give the home team Tigers a 7-0 with 12:57 left in the first quarter.

Anders Carlson hit a 29-yard field goal with 9:38 left in the first half giving Auburn a 17-0 advantage.

LSU started its comeback with a defensive play. Ashford rolled out for a pass attempt on first down for the 29 with less than seven minutes remaining in the second quarter. LSU defensive tackle BJ Ojulari hit Ashford in the backfield, causing a fumble. Jay Ward scooped the ball at the 23-yard line and ran it in for a touchdown.

Omari Kelly caught a 25-yard pass on the ensuing drive from Ashford on the Auburn 49 on a first down. Ashford converted a third down on a quarterback sneak from the 47 on the previous play.

Kelly’s catch got the Tigers within field goal range. Carlson had an opportunity for a 40-yard field goal with less than minutes left in the first half after Auburn’s drive stalled at the 23-yard line. Carlson missed the kick, but Auburn still held a 10-point lead, so it was all good, right?

Questionable decisions.

Auburn probably would’ve gotten the ball back with some time to maybe get in field goal range if not for a 3rd down face mask penalty against Derick Hall with 1:45 left in the game. Here’s the thing, Harsin called a timeout on the play before and two during what should’ve been a three and out. If that penalty doesn’t happen, then Harsin’s call works. However, the penalty led to a 78-yard touchdown drive.

LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels scored the touchdown on a one-yard QB sneak. Auburn went from a possible 20-7 lead to being ahead by three points at the half.

Koy Moore, who had four catches for 55 yards, threw a costly interception in the second half when Auburn was in LSU territory.

Run game fails.

Auburn struggled again in the run game. Tank Bigsby had a 24-yard run a few plays before Moore’s interception but mainly was quiet. Bigby led the team with 45 yards rushing. Jarquez Hunter had 35 yards on six carries. Ashford gained 37 yards but lost 18 on sacks. His net gain was 19, and Auburn had 101 rushing yards on 31 carries. LSU had 185 yards on 49 touches.

Auburn had yet another game against a Power 5 opponent, which got outscored in the second half. Auburn scored zero second-half points for the second consecutive game.

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