After what was the program’s most complete performance on the field in a long time, Auburn looked flat to begin its game against LSU, and heading into the half, a lot will have to change if Alex Golesh’s squad wants to come out on top.
Auburn is trailing LSU 31-10 at the break in Jordan-Hare Stadium, and Lane Kiffin’s team currently has more passing yards than Auburn has total yards on the day.
LSU scored on five of its six drives in the first half of play, all of which were fast-paced and powered by the pass game. Kiffin’s offense had four plays deemed as “big pass plays,” meaning gains of 15 or more yards. However, it simply felt like it was gaining chunk yardage on every play.
LSU now gets the ball to start the second half, looking to run Auburn out of its own building and achieve bowl eligibility.
Here were three defining traits of the first half.
LSU dominating the air attack
Two key traits of a Charlie Weis Jr. offensive attack are moving with quick pace and centering everything around the passing attack. It is no shocker that that is the game plan in Jordan-Hare Stadium so far.
Through 30 minutes of play LSU has 346 total yards of offense, with 261 yards being through the air. Meanwhile, Auburn has 167 yards of total offense through both phases of the offensive game. Sam Leavitt is 21-for-27 with three touchdowns, the longest of which came on a 70-yard touchdown pass to Jackson Harris. Harris currently leads all receivers with 139 yards, while the big tight end/wide receiver hybrid Trey’Dez Green has 40 yards.
Rushing game not getting going for Auburn
Through what was a solid rushing attack in the Georgia game, Auburn’s rushing attack has effectively been nonexistent so far. At the end of the first quarter, the offense only had one rushing yard, and while it has 51 now, LSU’s defense has been keyed in on the run from both Byrum Brown and the running back room. LSU has fielded six tackles for a loss as a result, keeping the Auburn offense one-dimensional and not able to do anything with the opportunities it does have.
Too many three-and-outs
Auburn has put up four three-and-outs so far in this game out of the seven drives it has had so far. Through those four drives, it has combined for eight total yards with all of those drives being less than two minutes in length. On three of those drives, LSU has proceeded to score a touchdown. With as efficiently as the LSU offense is moving, the Auburn offense punting quickly is not putting the defense in favorable positions, which has helped put it in this 21-point hole.
Auburn Undercover is an independent Auburn sports media company covering Auburn athletics, recruiting and insider news.
