STARKVILLE, Miss. — Auburn earned bowl eligibility for the first time since 2023 with a 41-9 road victory over Mississippi State on Saturday, improving to 6-4 overall and 4-4 in Southeastern Conference play.
Auburn started with a quick three-and-out, punting to Mississippi State. The Bulldogs moved into Auburn territory on their opening possession but failed to convert on fourth down after a bobbled snap on the field-goal attempt, turning the ball over to the Tigers.
Auburn’s next drive ended with an interception by Mississippi State's Fatt Forrest, thrown by quarterback Byrum Brown. The Bulldogs took over at midfield, but the Tigers quickly responded. After two incomplete passes from Mississippi State's AJ Swann, Auburn's Darrion Smith recorded a strip-sack, and defensive lineman Cody Sigler recovered the fumble at the Mississippi State 38-yard line.
Brown connects on a 26-yard pass to Keshaun Singleton at the front of the end zone for the Tigers' first touchdown of the afternoon. Alex McPherson adds the extra point, giving Auburn a 7-0 lead.
Now down by a touchdown, the Bulldogs tred to move downfield with several quick carries from running back Fluff Bothwell and a 36-yard pass from Swann to Anthony Evans III. But their efforts went unrewarded when kicker Kyle Ferrie misses a 33-yard field goal attempt, keeping Auburn ahead 7-0.
Auburn moved downfield with a 28-yard pass from Brown to Arlis Boardingham and a 16-yard run by Brown, setting up McPherson to connect on a 37-yard field goal to extend the lead to 10-0 with 1:44 remaining in the first quarter.
The Bulldogs' first drive of the second quarter started with a 34-yard touchdown pass from Swann to wide receiver Sanfrisco Magee, who hurdles over the Auburn defense into the end zone. Ferrie added the extra point, cutting Auburn's lead to 10-7.
Short-lived drives forced both teams to punt, bringing the ball back to Brown’s hands early in the second quarter. Unfortunately for the Tigers, the drive ended when McPherson missed a 48-yard field goal attempt, keeping the score at 10-7.
Still in the lead, Auburn's defense lined up to protect its end zone from Swann’s offense.
True freshman linebacker Shadarius Toodle recorded a strip-sack on Swann, forcing another fumble. Darrion Smith recoverd the ball and returns it 34 yards to the 1-yard line for an Auburn first down. Brown carried it into the end zone for Auburn’s second touchdown of the day, bringing the score to 17-7.
The Bulldogs' next possession ended with another turnover. Defensive lineman Nate Johnson strip-sacked backup quarterback Parker Puckett, and Jared Smith recoverd the fumble at the Mississippi State 21-yard line.
Jeremiah Cobb capitalized on the momentum from the turnover, rushing for a 10-yard touchdown. Auburn continued to pull away with a 24-7 lead.
After another Mississippi State punt, Auburn's next possession ended with a punt from Hudson Kaak. The Bulldogs took over, but the Tigers' defense forced another turnover.
Jared Smith forced a fumble by running back Kolin Wilson, and Rayshawn Pleasant recovered the ball at the Mississippi State 46-yard line.
Auburn’s drive ended with McPherson connecting on a 31-yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter, giving the Tigers a 27-7 halftime lead.
After Mississippi State's opening second-half possession ended with a punt, Auburn also punted. The Bulldogs punted on their next possession, giving Auburn the ball at its own 46-yard line. Brown then connected with Chas Nimrod for a 35-yard touchdown pass. McPherson added the extra point, extending Auburn's lead to 34-7 with 9:16 remaining in the third quarter.
Auburn’s next possession followed another Mississippi State punt, and the Tigers took over at their own 26-yard line. The Tiger offense continued to move downfield, culminating in a 42-yard touchdown pass from Brown to Singleton. Auburn extended its lead to 41-7 with 5:52 remaining in the third quarter.
Mississippi State moved downfield on its next possession, driving 84 yards in 16 plays to the Auburn 2-yard line. However, the Tigers' defense made a goal-line stand, stopping the Bulldogs on fourth down to force a turnover on downs.
In the fourth quarter, the cowbells stopped ringing, and Auburn backup quarterback Tristan Ti'a entered the game. On the Tigers' first play of the possession, Mississippi State's Will Whitson tackled running back Omar Mabson II in the end zone for a safety, making the score 41-9 with 13:54 remaining.
Mississippi State took over after the safety, but the Tigers' defense forced a punt. Backup quarterback Tristan Ti'a entered the game on Auburn's next possession, which ended with a sack of Ti'a, and the Tigers punted the ball back to Mississippi State.
But Auburn would not let the Bulldogs score, forcing their third turnover on downs of the day. Mississippi State moved downfield again, reaching the Auburn 3-yard line before an incomplete pass on fourth down resulted in another turnover on downs.
Ti’a and the Tigers' offensive line continued to move the ball downfield, running out the clock to secure the victory.
The defense finished the afternoon with seven sacks, 13 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles.
Auburn's 41-9 victory secures bowl eligibility for the Tigers for the first time since 2023.
Alex Golesh’s Tigers play their final home game in Jordan-Hare Stadium next Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT against the Samford Bulldogs.
