Oregon Football: Ducks Play Physical, But Fall To Auburn 27-21

The Oregon Ducks played a hard-fought physical game on both ends and came up just short, in the end, losing 27-21 to Auburn.

Oregon Football opened the first Offensive series of the 2019 season started with a timeout and ended with CJ Verdell rolling though the Auburn Defense on fourth and goal. Just before Justin Herbert found a route to the end zone, but was ruled down short of the end zone. It was not the perfect start, but Oregon matched Auburn’s physicality with some of their own giving Herbert plenty of time to throw a series changing pass down the left sideline to Johnny Johnson.

The Oregon Defense held Auburn to a three and out on the Tigers first drive. The second Oregon Drive started out better than the first but did not end well. Bralon Addison missed a pass in the back of the end zone and the Tigers could not convert a 20-yard field goal as Oregon could not put points to the board.

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Auburn opened their second drive with more success and ended with Anders Carlson hitting a 40-yard field goal to make it 7-3 Oregon.

Oregon Football has a luxury this season with five different running backs on the roster. CJ Verdell opened the drive with a long run forcing a 15-yard penalty. Justin Herbert, under pressure, finished off the drive with a heave to the endzone before he was tackled. It was caught by Tight End Spencer Webb for his first career touchdown. The Oregon Ducks found success on two of their first three drives.

Bo Nix made his first mistake throwing the ball off his side and it was intercepted by Thomas Graham Nix had Auburn down near the Oregon 10 yard line and were threatening to score as Oregon looked to take away the momentum again.

After the Oregon Defense again held the Tigers, Oregon had a big return by Jevon Holland taking the ball again into the red zone. On the first play from scrimmage, Justin Herbert and CJ Verdell fumbled the ball forcing a long return by the Auburn Tigers. The Oregon Defense did their job again holding the Tigers to a field goal making it 14-6 Oregon.

Bo Nix made is second mistake throwing with just over a minute left in the first half throwing the ball to Jevon Holland for his second interception of the night. The Auburn defense did a good job forcing a Ducks three and out with 1:07 left in the first half.

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – AUGUST 31: Bo Nix #10 of the Auburn Tigers carries the ball against the Oregon Ducks in the second quarter during the Advocare Classic at AT&T Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

Nix was held to 2 for 8 on completions on the final drive of the first half. He was sacked once. Auburn missed a 44-yard field goal before the break. The Tigers went 2 yards in 7 plays on the final drive of the half.

With just over 9 minutes left in the 3rd Quarter, Darrian Felix ran into the end zone off the edge to give Oregon a 21-6 lead. On the drive, Oregon lost their first two running backs to injury with both CJ Verdell and Travis Dye. Dye appeared to have cramps, the injury to Verdell seemed a little more serious affecting his left arm allowing Felix to get into the game. It was his first career touchdown,

The Auburn Tigers scored their first touchdown with 4:20 left in the third quarter to make it 21-13 Oregon. The Ducks stalled on their next drive. Auburn had the ball for the final two minutes of the third quarter and end the quarter on 3rd and 3.

Auburn would find their way to the Oregon one-yard line wearing down an Oregon Defense that played a stellar first half. The Tigers Offensive Line took control on the drive as JoTarvious Whitlow had to big yard plays getting the ball to the Oregon Football one-yard line.

Tigers Running Back Joey Gatewood brought Auburn within two-yard points 21-19 pending a two-point conversion. A penalty on the Offense forced Head Coach Gus Malzahn to kick for the extra point to make it 21-20 Oregon.

On the ensuing drive, Oregon needed to convert on a fourth and one and gave the ball back to Auburn with just over five minutes left in the game. The Oregon defense came through when they needed to most forcing the Tigers to another three and out for the game.

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – AUGUST 31: Justin Herbert #10 of the Oregon Ducks looks for an open receiver against the Auburn Tigers in the first quarter during the Advocare Classic at AT&T Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

The Auburn Tigers had one final chance with less than two minutes left. Bo Nix scampered on third and 7 for a first down at the 50-yard line. With 31 seconds left it was 3rd and 1 and Anders Carlson was looking for a game-winning field goal. Nix and the Auburn Offense had one more play to get closer. Whitlow made a final first down. Nix did not want a field goal, he wanted a touchdown and got one throwing 26 yards to Seth Williams for the lead at 27-21.

In the end, Justin Herbert had a chance but threw the ball incomplete. Oregon Football fell to Auburn, 27-21.

Oregon had control in the first half, and the second-half adjustments by Auburn were better. The game was well played on both sides by both teams. In the end, Bo Nix had a better finish than Herbert. The Ducks will return to Eugene and face Nevada next Saturday at 4:30 pm Pacific Time on Pac-12 Network.

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