There’s a reason Vanderbilt coaches and players came into this game confident that they could hang around with a top ranked team. Even Auburn acknowledged that the Commodores were capable of putting up a fight.
A bye week seemed to jump-start the Vanderbilt offense, sparking some creativity with Wildcat runs and reverses. The first drive netted Vanderbilt three points on a Tommy Openshaw career long 52-yard field goal.
Auburn quickly responded with a touchdown, running all over the defense, led by star running back Kamryn Pettway.
A few stalled drives later, Sam Loy lined up for a punt deep in Vanderbilt’s territory. While Loy has been stellar on punts, bad snaps and drops have plagued the unit. That was the same on the first punt. The snap went low, which forced Loy to quickly pick the ball up and boot it with his left foot. It wouldn’t end up to be a problem though, as Vanderbilt forced a fumble on the next play.
Aided by some big runs from Ralph Webb and Darrius Sims, Vanderbilt marched down field. Kyle Shurmur found Jared Pinkney for a touchdown in one of his best games of the season.
After Auburn and Vanderbilt traded field goals, Auburn was backed up deep in its own territory with just over a minute to go. Although Vanderbilt forced a fourth down, they couldn’t stop the clock due to a mismanagement of timeouts earlier in the half. Nevertheless, they held a three point lead, shocking the 87,541 in attendance.
Auburn came out in the second half firing on all cylinders, as their usual starting quarterback came out on the field after being sidelined with an injury. A first drive touchdown would ultimately give them all the points they needed to win.
However, Auburn’s victory wouldn’t come easily. Down a touchdown with just under four minutes left in the game, Auburn looked to lock the game up. On a third and one, Pettway broke free and headed for what looked to be a sure touchdown and a 14 point lead. That was until he started limping as he approached the Vanderbilt 40 yard line. A duo of Vanderbilt defenders were able to track him down at the 28 yard line. The Commodores still seemed in trouble though because a field goal would effectively end it.
Setting up on a 35 yard field goal, Auburn looked ready to seal the deal. But Vanderbilt had a surprise in store. Linebacker Zach Cunningham leaped over the center and blocked the kick. The stadium was left in awe with fans questioning the legality of the play. Even the referees on the field seemed stunned. The Vanderbilt fan section was as loud as it had been all game.
Even after the miraculous block, the offense was stuck at fourth and 18 at its own 20 yard line. Kyle Shumur stepped back and tossed it to his left downfield into double coverage. However, Caleb Scott was in the right spot to make a spectacular catch after the ball tipped off the defenders for 29 yards.
A completion to CJ Duncan for 21 yards put the Commodores in an excellent spot to make an unbelievable comeback. However, the magic soon ran out. Shurmur threw an interception on an apparent miscommunication with Kalija Lipscomb.
