AUBURN – As quickly as Auburn fans’ heart sank at the sight of Nathaniel Peat racing toward the endzone, their dread turned to jubilation as the Missouri running back dropped the ball just short of the goal line, securing Auburn’s 17-14 win at home on Saturday.
Both teams had opportunities to put the game away in regulation. Tank Bigsby came up short on a 4th down run at the Missouri 39-yard line. Missouri’s Harrison Mevis missed a game-winning 26-yard field goal to send the game to overtime.
Auburn took the ball first in overtime. A two-yard loss and two incomplete passes forced Auburn to settle for a 44-yard field goal off the foot of Carlson Anders.
Needing a fielf goal to send it to a second overtime and a touchdown to win, Missouri took over trailing 17-14. On the second play of the drive, Nathaniel Peat ran down the left sideline 20 yards for what seemed like a sure fire game-winning touchdown. However, as Peat reached out to cross the plane, the ball fell out of his hand and rolled into the endzone where Derick Hall fell on it to secure the win for Auburn.
Auburn started the game with two first quarter touchdowns – an 11-yard run by quarterback Robby Ashford and a 3-yard score by Bigsby. Those would be Auburn’s only scores of the game as Missouri scored two of their own in the second quarter.
Ashford led Auburn in rushing on Saturday with 15 carries for 46 yards. Bigsby finished right behind him with 44 yards off of 19 attempts.
Ashford completed 18 passes for 127 yards, including a near interception in overtime.
Auburn’s struggles this season have been well documented, including beating San Jose State by just eight points and getting hammered by Penn State, 41-12, last week. Rumors have swirled about the future of Harsin as his team continues to look for an offensive identity.
Aubrun wraps up a five-game homestead next week when LSU comes to Jordan-Hare Stadium.
