ATLANTA, GA (WBRC) -
A closely-matched game saw the Auburn Tigers defeated by Clemson University at the Georgia Dome in the season opener.
Clemson was the first team to put points on the scoreboard. A drive from the 10-yard-line saw Clemson make it to Auburn's 1-yard-line in 12 plays. The offense was prepared to press the goal line on 4th down, but a false start forced them to settle for a field goal. Chandler Catanzaro made the kick with 5:22 on the clock in the 1st quarter.
Auburn wasted no time in retaliation for the Clemson score. It took a total of 4 plays for Kiehl Frazier to find Emory Blake for a 54-yard pass and Auburn's first touchdown of the year. Cody Parkey kicked the extra point to bring the score to 3-7 in Auburn's favor.
Clemson's next possession appeared to be a strong drive, but two sacks and a substitution infraction saw Clemson punt from Auburn's 39-yard-line. After downing the ball at Auburn's 1-yard-line, Auburn's Tre Mason busted through the defense for 9 yards and followed with a 30-yard rush. Just when he was looking unstoppable, Mason fumbled the ball and it was recovered by Clemson at the Clemson 48-yard-line. Clemson then pressed down to Auburn's 23-yard-line, but settled for a 40-yard Chandler Catanzaro field goal with 10:06 remaining in the half.
Auburn's next possession saw them face 3rd down and 15 at their own 33. The resulting long Kiehl Frazier pass was intercepted by Rashard Hall at the Clemson 15-yard-line. A 3-play drive that included a 68-yard rush by Andre Ellington and an 8-yard personal foul against Auburn allowed Clemson to add a touchdown to their score. The Chandler Catanzaro extra point set the score at 13-7 for Clemson.
Auburn followed the Clemson touchdown with a 12-play drive to the Clemson 20-yard-line. In the middle of the drive was a Frazier pass to Auburn powerhouse Phillip Lutzerkirchen for 38 yards. Auburn would not get a touchdown on the drive and Cody Parkey kicked a 37-yard field goal with 1:24 before the half, bringing the score to 13-10. Clemson made a short drive and attempted a field goal with 14 seconds remaining, but the 55-yard Spencer Benton kick was no good.
After the half, Auburn was able to square up the the scoreboard. On their second possession in the half, a 6-play drive brought Auburn to the Clemson 28. Auburn's Cody Parkey kicked a 46-yard field goal at the 8:38 mark in the second quarter. This brought the score to 13-13.
Clemson fired back quickly in the form of a 13-play drive for 66 yards with quarterback Tahj Boyd completing 5 passes. A Chandler Catanzaro kick put the score at 16-13 with Clemson regaining the lead.
Auburn put added another field goal of their own in the next possession. A 10-play, 65-yard drive in 3:44 put Cody Parkey down for a 27-yard field goal and set the score tied at 16.
The first play of the 4th quarter gave Auburn an opportunity with Daren Bates intercepting a Tahj Boyd pass at the Clemson 47 and returning to the 35. A few Tre Mason rushes later, Parkey was called in to kick a 36-yard field goal with 12:50 remaining in the game. The kick brought Auburn up to 19 against Clemson's 16.
The Clemson team remained cool under the new found pressure. Covering 75 yards in 10 plays and 3:33, Clemson pushed back against Auburn. Tahj Boyd wrapped up the drive with a completed pass to DeAndre Hopkins for a touchdown with 9:17 on the clock. The extra point by Chandler Catanzaro brought the score to 23-19.
Auburn's attempt to retaliate ended after 6 plays when they were forced to punt. Clemson's following possession of the ball allowed them another Chandler Catanzaro field goal to bring the score to 26-19 with 1:24 remaining. Auburn tried for the touchdown with the small amount of time, but ultimately came up short.
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