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Louisiana Tech entered the game expected to be Homecoming road kill for the #5 Auburn Tigers. The Bulldogs stood in there and took their punches from the Tigers, though ultimately losing 45-17. Tech forced Auburn into two quick three and outs, but on Tech's second possession, Quarterback Cody Sokol's pass was batted in the air and Montravious Adams returned it to the 5 yard line to set up an Auburn touchdown.
Tech would force Auburn into a missed field goal and another punt and after the first quarter, the Bulldogs were only down 7-0. Once again, LA Tech got off too a slow start offensively.The Bulldogs would punt four times before grinding out a 6:01 drive that led to a missed field goal. Still, with5:48 left in the half, Louisiana Tech was still in the game, down 10-0.
Auburn marched down the field and scored on a Nick Marshall pass to D'haquille Williams. After a Trent Taylor fumble, Williams hit Quan Bray with another touchdown pass. The two scores were within 1:02 of each other and Auburn was up 24-0 in the blink of an eye.
Louisiana Tech refused to lay down. The Bulldogs kicked a field goal as the first half ended and they scored a touchdown early in the 3rd quarter to pull within 24-10. After another Auburn punt, it appeared that Tech had a chance to make it a ball game. The 3rd quarter ended with the score still 24-10 and Auburn had not scored since halftime.
Again, the Tigers scored 14 quick points and this time it put the game away. Marshall hit Bray one 44 yard touchdown pass, then Bray returned a Bulldog punt 76 yards for a touchdown. The two scores were within 1:03 of each other and Tech was down 38-10.
The two teams would each score one more time apiece for a final of Auburn 45, Louisiana Tech 17.
While the Bulldog defense held in there for the most part, Tech's offense took a long time to get going. The offense also committed two turnovers that led to scores. Tech Head Coach Skip Holtz wanted to avoid costly mistakes in this game. The team did cut down on penalties, but the two turnovers really hurt.
Tech returns to conference play still looking to get their offense moving earlier and to avoid turnovers. One thing they can build on is that they held the Auburn offense from exploding and the hung with the #5 team in the country for three quarters.