The unranked LSU Tigers stormed back from a 20-point deficit in the first half to upset No. 10 Auburn 27-23 in Baton Rouge, La., on Saturday. But did Auburn get a fair shake?
LSU kicker Connor Culp drilled a 36-yard field goal to put LSU up four with 38 seconds remaining. On Auburn’s final drive, however, things got a little weird.
With 30 seconds left, Auburn QB Jarrett Stidham scrambled for a first down near the 40-yard line, meaning the clock should’ve stopped. But the timekeeper apparently fell asleep at the wheel, and the clock ticked down to 16 seconds.
To make matters worse, Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn opted not to throw the challenge flag, a decision that dumbfounded many.
Why didn’t they stop the clock for Auburn? That seems like a gigantic mistake
— Connor Rogers (@ConnorJRogers) October 14, 2017
Auburn picked up the 1st down and the clock DID NOT stop Gus ain't say nothing …. YOU CANT BE MY COACH
— Oregon 10/12/24 🌰🌰🌰 (@clauzell247) October 14, 2017
#sec that clock operator was doing a little home cooking. Check the LSU AUBURN game
— Dale (@fakebobbygatlin) October 15, 2017
DOWN GOES AUBURN!!! lol. ….tbh, they lost 6 seconds off the clock because the refs didn't stop the clock after that last 1st down smh
— Bama_JulioLiveRN (@IsaacGrundy) October 14, 2017
https://twitter.com/laylaann75/status/919338045710721024
"Interesting" clock stoppages (or lack thereof) in Auburn/LSU and UT/SCar games today
— matt stinchcomb (@mstinch79) October 14, 2017
https://twitter.com/justinnails/status/919364019823267840
Did anyone see how the clock didn't stop for #Auburn for that 1st down??? #AuburnvsLSU
— Meteorologist Vernon Turner (@WeathermanVern) October 14, 2017
Auburn totally screwed by them not stopping the clock, and Gus Malzahn did nothing to alert the officials. Yikes.
— MichiganPodcast (@MichiganPodcast) October 14, 2017
It’s always tough to see such a good game end in such controversy.
Nevertheless, Auburn would’ve needed a miracle to pull out a victory, regardless of the time on the clock. Still, had they been given a few extra seconds, perhaps they would’ve had a better shot at a last-second Hail Mary.
Thumbnail photo via Derick E. Hingle/USA TODAY Sports Images