By Bobby Mathews, Sports Editor
BIRMINGHAM — With two Auburn starting defensive backs out of the game due to targeting calls, the Houston Cougars took advantage, going 80 yards in eight plays late in the fourth quarter here Tuesday to defeat the Tigers 17-13 in the TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl.
The Cougars (11-2) scored twice in the first half and carried a 10-3 lead into the locker room. But Auburn (6-7) scored 10 unanswered points in the third quarter to go up 13-10, and Houston’s offense looked particularly ineffective as the Tiger defense caused two turnovers to keep momentum away from the Cougars.
However, Auburn defensive back Smoke Monday was called for targeting while blocking for an interception in the fourth quarter. Monday had been called for targeting in the first half, but replay overturned that call. The second time, the ruling was upheld and Monday was ejected.
However, Auburn’s Jaylin Simpson went headfirst into Cougars’ quarterback Carlton Tune after the quarterback went into his slide at the end of a play on Houston’s final drive.
Simpson was ejected from the game, and Houston got an extra fifteen yards on the penalty.
A few plays later, Tune hit Jake Herslow as the senior receiver broke free on the right side for a touchdown with 3:27 left in the game. Dalton Witherspoon’s PAT was good, and the Cougars led 17-13.
With Auburn trailing and time winding down, the Tigers managed only eight yards in four plays, turning the ball over on downs.
In 11 possessions, Auburn punted six times and turned the ball over on downs twice. The Tigers managed just three scoring drives, going 67 yards in 8 plays to score a field goal with 3:10 left in the first half, while also going 8 plays for 57 yards and a field goal in the third quarter. Auburn finally pulled ahead in the third when they went 78 yards in 11 plays and T.J. Finley hit Kobe Hudson from 12 yards out. Ben Patton’s PAT was good, and the Tigers had pulled ahead 13-10.
Without two of their starting defensive players in the lineup, however, the lead couldn’t hold.
The ending was a bitter one for Auburn, as the Tigers lost their last five games of the season under first-year coach Bryan Harsin.
Finley was 19-of-37 for 227 yards and a score for the Tigers, while Tank Bigsby totaled 96 yards on 16 carries.
For Houston, Tune went 26-of-40 for 283 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Alton McCaskill had 16 carries for 78 yards for the Cougars.