Talk about a frustrating game to watch, even re-watch. The Auburn football season opener in 2007 was riddled with mind-numbing penalties and poor coaching decisions from both teams, that had Kansas State in control with the lead for most of the game until Auburn’s defense began taking over in the later part of the 4th Quarter. The Tigers got the ball back with enough time for one last drive to overcome the adversity of the first 55 minutes of play. This series presents stats and recap from Auburn’s last 12 season opening games on the road to 2018’s matchup versus the Washington Huskies. Post your stories and experiences to help pass the time. Also included is the recruiting class signed that year to help reflect back on how little-known signees would become influential, or highly regarded ones not live up to the hype, in the years to come.

#11 - Sep 1, 2007: Kansas State at #18 Auburn - AU Won 23-13

Game Leaders:
Passing Yards
KSU - J. Freeman – 32-57, 268 YDS, 2 INT
AUB - B. Cox – 17-30, 229 YDS, 1 TD, 2 INT

Rushing Yards
KSU – J. Johnson – 7 CAR, 14 YDS
AUB – B. Tate – 23 CAR, 82 YDS

Receiving Yards
KSU – J. Nelson – 9 REC, 90 YDS
AUB – P. Rodriguez – 6 REC, 73 YDS

Box Score (ESPN)

Recap:

quote:
Auburn gets two late touchdowns, survives Kansas State

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) -- Auburn didn't win it with talent, style or grace.

"We gutted it out. That was a gut win," Tigers coach Tommy Tuberville said.

Brandon Cox threw a touchdown pass to Gabe McKenzie with 2:01 remaining and Antonio Coleman returned a fumble for a score moments later to give No. 18 Auburn a 23-13 win over Kansas State on Saturday night.

Auburn players jumped around like they'd won the national championship after the game, and coach Tommy Tuberville was hopeful the come-from-behind win would pay dividends later in the season.
Auburn's offense struggled all night, and Kansas State seemed poised for its 18th straight season-opening win, the first against a ranked opponent on the road.

But Auburn finally wore down the Wildcats. Cox -- who spent most of the game on his back or trying to escape pressure -- found McKenzie alone in the left corner of the end zone from the 3 to cap a 57-yard, seven-play drive.

"Everybody was fired up," Cox said. "We were going to do whatever we had to do to get in the end zone."
The Wildcats got the ball back but Quentin Groves sacked Josh Freeman, forcing a fumble that Coleman returned 34 yards for a touchdown.

Freeman completed 32 of 57 passes for 268 yards and was intercepted twice, including on Kansas State's final possession after Coleman's fumble return.
Kansas State players were stunned afterward. As Auburn fans went wild in a stadium that was nearly all orange, the Wildcats gathered in a tight group in front of their bench and walked off the field in formation. A few thousand fans dressed in purple cheered.

K-State coach Ron Prince said his team "just didn't get it done."

"You would like to be able for the kids to go away and know that they can play with Auburn. You don't come to a place like this and expect them to give you the game. You have to take it," he said.
They nearly did.

With the Wildcats trailing 6-3 after a first half dominated by defense, Kansas State's Marcus Watts intercepted Cox at the Wildcats 31 on the first play of the third quarter. Freeman directed the offense to the Auburn 21, and it was time for a trick.
Freeman took the snap and turned left, tossing a lateral to wide receiver Jordy Nelson on a third-and-6 play. Nelson heaved the ball deep to Leon Patton, who was all alone in the right side of the end zone for the first touchdown of the game.

Kansas State's Brooks Rossman kicked field goals from 20 and 40 yards, but he missed from 47 yards.
Auburn freshman Wes Byrum also had field goals of 20 and 31 yards.

Auburn only returned one starter on the offensive line, and it showed. Cox was sacked five times -- four times in the first half -- and spent most of the game trying to escape Wildcats defenders coming at him from all directions.

Cox was 17-of-30 passing with two interceptions for 229 yards.

Kansas State held Auburn to only 62 yards rushing. The Tigers weren't helped by the suspension of Brad Lester, who led Auburn runners last season but was held out for unspecified academic problems.

Auburn's Ben Tate ran for 82 yards.

Youtube LINK – Full Game (ESPN)
Game turns in AU’s favor at the 2:54:50 mark when K-State, up 13-9, gets the ball back with 6:09 to go in the game and Auburn’s D, with the help of Jordan-Hare’s deafening crowd, forces a 3-and-out to give Auburn the ball back. No highlight videos on Youtube that aren’t shakey recordings of a TV recording or AuburnSports field-level AU only highlights. Early days of A96.

2007 Recruiting Class Signees (29) - #7 Ranked Class (Rivals – 247’s Website for 2007 is no bueno) - Ranked From Highest to Lowest Rated

4*
WR Chris Slaughter
RB Enrique Davis
OL Lee Ziemba
ATH Bo Harris
QB Kodi Burns
DB Michael McNeil
TE Bailey Woods
ATH Johnnie Lee Dixon
OL Chaz Ramsey
OL Ryan Pugh
LB Eltoro Freeman
LB Josh Bynes
LB Carlton Johnson
3*
OL Kyle Coulahan
RB John Douglas
TE Brent Slusher
DB Ryan Williams
WR Quindarius Carr
OL Nick Fairley
DB Mike Slade
DT Tim Lamb
DE Antoine Carter
K Wes Byrum
DE A.J. Greene
OL Jared Cooper
LB Adam Herring
OL Jermaine Johnson
DE Wilfred Journet
2*
OL Brandon Earl
LB Chris Zinn

Auburn finished the season with a 9-4 record and a 23-20 Chick-Fil-A Bowl victory over #15 Clemson.

Will start new thread each day after my work day is over with here in Africa.

This post was edited on 8/21/18 at 3:26 pm