AUBURN, Ala. — During an Alabama bye week there were multiple ways I could spend my Saturday. I could catch up on some reading, re-watch all of Game of Thrones to figure out who the Children of the Forest are, spend time with my family, or go to the Auburn game.
Football is always the correct choice.
Auburn’s 45-17 win over Louisiana Tech wasn’t as thrilling as some of the other games yesterday — like Texas A&M’s comeback win over Arkansas or Florida State clinging to life against NC State — but it’s still live college football. Auburn seemed to sleepwalk through the game, possibly still drained from its close victory over Kansas State, and not having much interest in playing a team from Louisiana that isn’t LSU.
But it was my first time in Jordan-Hare since I stood on the field and watched Chris Davis run 109 yards all the way to Atlanta. That night I stood next to the end zone and then proceeded to chase Nick Saban into the post game media room, dodging Auburn fans who were filing on to the field and didn’t know what to do with their hands.
The perfectly pruned hedges surrounding the seats are still tattered from that game when they were trampled by the ecstatic student section. The grass — and its extra contents — was replaced, the team is different, but the holed hedges and the 2013 SEC Champions flag serve as reminders of last season’s successes.
Of course the pre-game hype videos feature the usual Auburn highlights — Bo over the top, Cam Newton’s LSU run — but the 2014 video starts with a five-second countdown, halting on 0:01 and showing the Davis “Kick Six” run, the second airing of the play within a five-minute span. The band’s video is exciting and thumping (Why are the band videos more exciting than the football videos?) and the smaller, more intimate venue is perfect for college football. Also the sound system is ridiculous. It’s as if the operator spilled coffee on the console and the volume is eternally stuck on 11. It’s great.
Let’s not forget about the eagle. Nova, the designated flying golden war eagle, started its venture from the flagpole to midfield by almost landing on some fans about 40 rows up from the 50-yard line, presumably after spotting a hot dog that looked a lot better than the enticement the handlers had ready at midfield. Luckily it didn’t matter, as Nova remembered its training and the pre-game tradition continued without the university being sued for an eagle attack.
Then the football started.
Auburn’s offense hasn’t gotten its groove back from last year, maybe due to the absence of Tre Mason or Greg Robinson, but the potential is there. The scoring unit went from sputtering to skyrocketing throughout the game. Nick Marshall eventually got into a rhythm after the first quarter, hitting Duke Williams for a wild one-handed touchdown (see below) and Quan Bray in the middle of the end zone after a Manziellian scramble. He finished with three touchdowns and over 100 yards rushing. Bray added to his fun outing against the Rebels with two touchdown catches and a 76-yard punt return for another six points.
The Homecoming game for most major college football teams is a formality, trotting out some inferior opponent to appease the fans while filling the weeks before conference play really gets going. Saturday was no different for the Tigers. The game was always in hand, so much so that the jumbotron showed a live feed of NC State scoring against Florida State, which was predictably met with a giant cheer.
Francie Harris was crowned Miss Homecoming — upset of the week? I have no idea. And the majority of the student section went home to study or something at the start of the third quarter.
But back on the field, Auburn’s defense was constant, swarming the ball and making plays, especially defensive lineman Montravius Adams, who starred for the Tigers. Adams caught an interception early in the game and nearly rumbled for a touchdown, then forced a fumble later in the game. Both plays ultimately led to scores.
The Tigers are ready and poised to begin their hideous schedule of top 25 SEC opponents starting with LSU, trying to repeat as SEC Champions and string up another flag.
Jordan-Hare Stadium was its own experience on Saturday, though less historical than my previous visit. And I’ll be back here next week when the team from Louisiana that people care about comes to play.
Follow Jonathan on Twitter @Jonathan_Biles
