Final from Auburn: Auburn 41 Georgia Southern 7

[jbcarol]

James Crepea‏Verified account @JamesCrepea

Preparation time to Auburn's benefit against Georgia Southern

Eagles are clearly a less talented team, but have managed to be competitive with SEC teams over the last five years and their triple-option scheme has a lot to do with it.

War Eagles almost never see such an offense, but with an entire offseason to prepare, particularly most of the past three weeks, the threat posed by GSU is somewhat neutralized.

"It's scary when you face a triple-option team that really knows how to do it and coach it," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said. "The fact that we've had extra time does nothing but help, but it still presents a lot of challenges."

[jbcarol]

AL.com sports‏Verified account @aldotcomSports

Tiger Buzz: Auburn vs. Georgia Southern TV, key matchups, players to watch

GEORGIA SOUTHERN AT No. 12 AUBURN

When: Saturday, 6:30 p.m. CT

Where: Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, Alabama

TV: SEC Network

Line: Auburn by 34

This game will determine...

The degree of national attention Auburn gets heading into its game at Clemson next week. If Jarrett Stidham is able to throw the ball at will and pile up big numbers in his debut, the spotlight in next week's marquee non-conference game will be enormous. How well the offense performs will be the main focus of attention but the defense's outing against a run-heavy team will still carry weight.

Key matchup

Auburn wide receivers Darius Slayton and Nate Craig-Myers against Georgia Southern safety Joshua Moon.

[jbcarol]

James Crepea‏Verified account @JamesCrepea

Watch Kerryon Johnson's career-long 60-yard TD run

Wayward son takes it to the house

[jbcarol]

GaSo 0  Auburn 10  3:10 1st

[jbcarol]

GA Southern takes a 23 yard fumble recovery to the house.

[jbcarol]

GASo 7  AU 10  :36 1st

[jbcarol]

Stidham fumbled after being hit on his blind side on a play action.

[jbcarol]

Stidham takes it to the house up the gut after freezing the defense on a pump fake.

[jbcarol]

GASo 7  AU 17  8:36 2nd

[jbcarol]

GaSo 7  AU 24  1:00 2nd

[jbcarol]

GaSo 7  AU 31  6:00 3rd

[jbcarol]

 AL.com sports‏Verified account @aldotcomSports 6m6 minutes ago

Daniel Carlson's 37yd field goal is good! http://trib.al/DNNOa9w

Auburn 34
Georgia Southern 7

[jbcarol]

 AL.com sports‏Verified account @aldotcomSports 14m14 minutes ago

Three quarters down, one to go in Auburn. http://trib.al/6FINhCg

Auburn 34
Georgia Southern 7

[jbcarol]

GaSo 7  AU 41  8:18 4th

[jbcarol]

Final from Jordan Hare

GaSouther 7  Auburn 41

[jbcarol]

Tom Green‏Verified account @Tomas_Verde

Live Updates: Gus Malzahn reviews Auburn's season-opening win against Georgia Southern http://www.al.com/auburnfootball/index.ssf/2017/09/live_updates_gus_malzahn_revie_8.html ...

-- Malzahn says Pettway and Kyle Davis will return against Clemson. Sean White will return the following week against Mercer.

-- Sore spot on offense was the three turnovers.

-- Malzahn says it was good to see Stidham get a game under his belt after the long time off.

-- Also pleased with dominating defensive effort, especially how the defense harassed Shai Werts all night.

-- Says Stidham "will get nothing but better" and believes he's going to be an outstanding quarterback for Auburn.

-- Malzahn with praise for Will Hastings, too. Impressed with his toughness and how he has emerged at receiver.

-- Reiterates that Jeff Holland has taken ownership of the Buck position and was dominant tonight.

-- Tre' Williams raised the defense's level overall. Big-time game from him.

-- Marlon Davidson is "mature beyond his years."

[jbcarol]

 Tom Green‏Verified account @Tomas_Verde 5h5 hours ago

Grading Auburn's 41-7 season-opening win against Georgia Southern. Spoiler: The defense aced it. http://www.al.com/auburnfootball/index.ssf/2017/09/grading_auburns_41-7_win_again.html ...

Quarterback: B-

It was an uneven debut for Jarrett Stidham, who played in his first game in 651 days. He got off to a slow start that included a pair of first-quarter turnovers -- one interception and a sack fumble that resulted in Georgia Southern's only points -- but settled in as the game progressed. Stidham completed six of his final 10 passes for 78 yards and a pair of touchdowns to finish the night 14-of-24 for 185 yards and three total touchdowns. Afterward, Stidham said he has to get a lot better, and that should come with time after knocking off that rust.

Wide receivers: C+

It was an up-and-down performance for Auburn's receivers in the opener without Kyle Davis, who was among Auburn's three suspended players. Will Hastings and Ryan Davis both made an impressive play on touchdown receptions in the second half, but the rest of the night was a mixed bag from the group. Darius Slayton caught three passes on a team-high nine targets (including a dropped would-be touchdown in the first quarter) and starter Nate Craig-Myers wasn't targeted at all. 

[jbcarol]

 Michael Carvell‏ @Michael_Carvell 7m7 minutes ago

Jarrett Stidham and the Auburn offense looked rusty Saturday night http://sptz.us/2vFSkvI

With many fans disappointed in quarterback Jarrett Stidham's debut performance, many are expecting Auburn to have to rely on its defense to win big games. With 3 turnovers in the first half, Auburn's offense showed signs of not executing to new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey's standard, but it also showed that there are simple ways to get better before traveling to take on defending national champion Clemson this Saturday.