LSU Stunned At Auburn As Game Winning Play Is Overturned
It was madness in "The Loveliest Village on the Plains"
The Tigers of LSU and Auburn have had their fair share of wild games over the years, and Saturday night may now rank at the top.
LSU players dog piled in the end zone, celebrating a game-winning touchdown by DJ Chark on the final play of regulation, giving the Tigers from Baton Rouge a 19-18 win.
Moments later, Auburn celebrated, as LSU's play was taken off the board after review.
"I don't know I've come as close to winning a game and finished second," said Tigers coach Les Miles.
On 3rd and 16, trailing by 5, LSU quarterback Danny Etling took the snap out of shotgun with 34 seconds left. It was completed for a gain of 11 to Travin Dural, who was tackled in bounds.
LSU rushed to the line, players confused as to what play to run. Etling completed a 4th down throw to the Auburn 3 yard line, but only 1 second remained on the clock, with a yellow flag on the field.
Illegal shift on LSU and they had to replay 4th down. With 1 second left, LSU snapped the ball, Etling rolled out, and found Chark in the corner of the end zone.
"I thought we won the game," said Etling.
So did all his teammates.
However, officials reviewed the final play, determining LSU didn't get the snap off in time. It was the correct call. LSU's joy shifted to disbelief, as Auburn players ran on their field in euphoric celebration.
"We knew that the ref was not going to blow a whistle," said Miles. "He was going to raise a hand and drop it and clock would start...You can't start a play in less than 2 seconds."
The loss wastes a solid effort by LSU's defense, who didn't allow a signal Auburn touchdown. All of Auburn's 18 points came on six field goals by Daniel Carlson.
LSU has yet to score in the 4th quarter this season, a disturbing trend that cost them in a week 1 loss to Wisconsin, and again Saturday at Auburn.
Etling finished 15-27 for 118 yards and a touchdown. Leonard Fournette rushed for 101 yards on 16 carries.
Despite the loss and a 2-2 record, Etling doesn't want to hear from detractors.
"Anybody who wants to be down on us after this, then they’ve got other issues," Etling noted on the CST postgame show. "We played so hard."
Played hard, but no win to show for it at Auburn.
LSU returns home next Saturday for a home game against the other Tigers in the SEC, Missouri. Kickoff in Baton Rouge is set for 6:30.