The Louisiana Monroe Game

Auburn 52...University of Louisiana at Monroe 3

A former directional school from Louisiana came to Auburn Saturday and got a spanking. Not as bad as some spankings in the past, but pretty bad. Although the Warhawks had no ground game, they were pretty effective throwing short, quick passes. It did seem, however, that the closer they came to the goal line, less this tactic seemed to work. Auburn used 68 players in the game and got to rest many of the starters.

The crowd arrived very late, at least those that were there. The crowd wasn't really late. The game was just early. Beer and cereal just don't go well together. After a cool early morning, the sun shone (very) warmly on the stadium. The first two Auburn possessions totaled 14 points in 72 seconds. After that the crowd doing "the wave" was the most interesting thing to many people.

All in all, it was just what the doctor ordered...a tough scrimmage against a team that tested Auburn's weakness on defense and let the offense run through it paces without any serious injuries.

It was nice to lead from start to finish for a change.

Behind The Head player of the game...Terrell Zachery. T-Zach had 4 catches for 50 yards, 1 run for 17 yards and he even made a tackle.

Runnerup...Anthony Morgan. Anthony had 6 tackles and forced a fumble.

I wonder what Coach Dye REALLY thinks about this new fangled offense?

The War Damn Band was practicing at 7:00 Saturday, maybe before. I guess being good isn't an accident.

Two plays, 65 yards, 32 seconds. Onterio McCalebb knocked out the last 50 yards on this sweep.

I found a place in Auburn that I don't want to be...in the grasp of Nick Fairley. Monroe quarterback Kolton Browning appears to be looking for a soft spot to land. Browning couldn't get the next play off in time and took a penalty. I wouldn't want the ball again either!

Auburn's second drive: Cam Newton to Emory Blake, 94 yards, 42 seconds. Seventy-four seconds and 14 points. Just wow!

I still don't understand the 10 yard cushion on the Monroe receivers. This is Demond Washington "covering" Luther Ambrose on a throw from Browning.

You tell me what the zebra on the right was watching. That is T'Sharvan Bell in the air and Craig Stevens holding the target (Jyruss Edwards).

I'm excited! WE still have a tight end and he caught 4 passes. Philip Lutzenkirchen ran over one defender and dragged another with him inside the 5 yard line.

Nothing special here...the pass was too deep...but the poses struck me as funny.

The Warhawks could move the ball through the air for short gains, but Browning took a beating on a lot of the throws. Craig Stevens (left) and Aairon Savage are in coverage for Auburn.

Monroe attempted a fake field goal early in the second quarter...I think Donald Duck is their kicker. Cory Wells, the backup quarterback got a face full of Daren Bates for his trouble. Zach Etheridge picked off the resulting flutter ball and returned it 19 yards.

Michael Dyer's carries were limited and this was only good for 3 yards, but I like the escort service provided by Mike Berry (left) and Byron Isom.

When the running game slowed Cam Newton went to the air. Darvin Adams caught these two passes on consecutive plays, the first for 13 yards, the second for 12 yards.

When Darvin got tired, Quindarius Carr took care of bidness. This 16 yard touchdown catch required some fancy footwork.

Cam Newton is now a punter, too. I guess he'll have a striped shirt and a whistle at the next game!

You just have to feel sorry for Monroe running back Frank Goodin. Not only is he about to land on his neck and head complements of Zach Clayton (98) and Nosa Eguae (94), but Nick Fairley is about to complete the sandwich.

Mario Fannin lead all rushers with 89 yards. He picked up 25 yards on this sweep behind the Berry-Isom moving wall.

Michael Goggins dislodged the ball from Tavarese Maye...either that or he is disrupting a backyard basketball game.

There are a lot of times that I wonder what a referee sees. Some calls I don't understand. Some "no calls" I don't understand. This is one of those. How was Kodi Burns supposed to catch the ball when Alex Ibe batted his arms out of the way.

This time, Philip dragged the defender with him into the end zone from 5 yards out.

Ikeem Means (16) must have stared the ball out of Browning's hands on this play, because there sure wasn't anyone around him. Kenneth Carter (being held in the crowd) made the recovery.

Enter Barrett Trotter for the Auburn offense. Trotter ran (11 yards) and threw (15 yards) and proved to be a valuable replacement for Newton.

This 10 yard burst set up Fannin's touchdown on the next play. This was nice work by the offensive line, too.

Strange things sometimes happen when the ball is snapped. As you can see in the picture, Kenneth Carter deflected the ball thrown by Cory Wells (no Matt, not the one from Three Dog Night). The ball dropped into the hands of Luke Russell (19), even though he was well covered by Jake Holland

Trotter's day ended with crash at the goal line. With his receivers covered and the right side of the field open, Trotter headed for the corner from 18 yards out. To his credit, when the dust had cleared, he was in the end zone with the ball and Auburn had its final touchdown of the afternoon.

Nap time!