Sean White threw for 244 yards and three touchdowns while the Tigers racked up 462 yards on the ground to roll over the defending Sun Belt Champion Arkansas State Red Wolves tonight in Jordan-Hare Stadium.
After struggling on offense in Week 1 against Clemson, Gus Malzahn rolled with Sean White for most of the game tonight and the Tigers' offense responded. The scoring started with an amazing pitch by Sean White and run by Kerryon Johnson for a 47 yard touchdown run. Arkansas State answered quickly thanks to one of two blown coverages tonight (both leading to stAte's touchdowns), but the story of the night was the Auburn offensive attack.
Kamryn Pettway led the offense with 152 yards on the ground on 15 carries. Kerryon Johnson had 124 yards on 18 carries. In the passing game, Sean White even got in on the rushing action with 60 yards on 10 carries. Tony Stevens came away with two scores and Will Hastings also got in on the action in the passing game on a 29 yard touchdown pass from Sean White. White had by far his best night passing with 3 touchdowns and no interceptions.
The play of the night, though, came on an amazing catch by Kyle Davis. Davis straight palmed a ball thrown by Sean White for a huge gain. I'd love to give the play of the game to #Legatron for his fake field goal touchdown, but that catch is just sick. There is a reason he was one of the top-rated receivers in the nation.
After the struggles in the first week, rolling up 700+ yards and 51 points is just what the doctor ordered for Gus Malzahn & Company. They're going to need some momentum going into next week's SEC opener against Texas A&M. For tonight, though, the Tigers were sitting pretty, and for the first time in a long time, Toomer's Corner was rolled in the way Auburn fans are used to.
#FirstRoll #WarEagle pic.twitter.com/u5c3gCMmBp
— College And Magnolia (@CollegeAndMag) September 11, 2016
War Eagle! We'll have more on this one, tomorrow!