Auburn Takes Care of Louisiana Tech on Homecoming, 52-7
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October 9, 2004
Carlos Rogers |
AUBURN, Ala. (AP) - Jason Campbell passed for 201 yards and two touchdowns, including a school-record 87-yarder to Silas Daniels, leading No. 6 Auburn past Louisiana Tech 52-7 on Saturday.
The Tigers are 6-0 for the first time since the 1997 season, with only one game decided by under 24 points. They are in line for another move in the rankings after Oklahoma's 12-0 victory over No. 5 Texas.
Auburn fashioned a stress-free tuneup to Southeastern Conference division rival Arkansas. The Tigers have allowed one touchdown or fewer in all but one game, rapidly scaling the rankings after opening at No. 17.
The anticipated showdown of top tailbacks never materialized. Louisiana Tech's Ryan Moats, the nation's No. 2 rusher, limped off the field in the first quarter with a sprained right ankle and didn't return. Moats finished with no yards on three carries after coming in averaging 185.6 per game for the Bulldogs (3-3).
The Tigers still haven't given up a rushing touchdown and collected nine sacks, forcing three turnovers.
Ronnie Brown gained 109 yards on 10 carries with a touchdown for Auburn. Carnell Williams had 56 yards on 12 carries and also scored while setting up a TD with a 50-yard punt return. Both sat out the final 18 minutes, along with most of the other starters.
Jason Campbell |
Coming off a career game in a 34-10 win at Tennessee, Campbell supplied a characteristically efficient 13-of-18 passing performance.
The teams exchanged a flurry of big plays midway through the third quarter, mostly courtesy of Auburn.
The Tigers capped an 11-play, 99-yard drive with Campbell's 9-yard touchdown pass to Ben Obomanu midway through the third quarter. Tramon Williams nearly made a leaping interception but was bobbling the ball as he fell backward in the end zone and Obomanu scooped it out of the air.
Brown had a tackle-breaking 43-yard run to set up the TD.
The Bulldogs answered on the next play with Matt Kubik's 78-yard scoring pass to Jonathan Holland, who had slipped behind safety Will Herring down the right sideline.
Three plays later, Campbell rolled right and hit a streaking Daniels, topping Auburn's record of 85 yards, accomplished twice before.
Two minutes later, Obomanu outfought Williams again for a 37-yard score from backup quarterback Brandon Cox. Cox attempted three passes, two for touchdowns.
Moats' sub, Freddie Franklin, gained 75 yards on 13 carries after coming in with zero yards on five carries.
Auburn outgained Louisiana Tech 472-222. The Bulldogs pushed into Auburn territory five times in the first half, but couldn't get points against the nation's No. 4 scoring defense and trailed 24-0.
Louisiana Tech finished a string of four straight games with ranked opponents at 1-3, unable to duplicate last week's 28-21 upset of Fresno State.
The Tigers broke Alabama's 17-year-old record of 199 consecutive made extra points after their first TD.