QB Lynch melts down in blowout loss to Auburn

When it comes to bowl games, bettors like to take the SEC over any other conference but Memphis had no problems dealing with Ole Miss back in October and will also have the best player on the field in quarterback Paxton Lynch.

Dontrell Nelson would follow up with an interception of his own on the very next drive with just under two minutes left in the game.

Straight out of the second half, it looked like Memphis remembered how its offense worked and drove down the field.

The game took shape as the battle of the interims in Auburn interim defensive coordinator Lance Thompson got the best of Memphis interim offensive coordinator (and interim head coach) Darrell Dickey. (Norvell was hired on December 4th to succeed Justin Fuente, who departed for Virginia Tech.) There was some question about how Memphis would perform without Fuente on the sideline, but no question about the team’s chances should junior quarterback Paxton Lynch not play to the standards that have him projected by many as a first-round pick in next April’s National Football League draft.

According to The Ledger-Enquirer, the Auburn equipment staff was warned that if Ball were to get an interception, he has a history of attempting to steal a ball from the opponent after the game.

Incoming Mike Norvell released a statement of his own trashing Ball despite the cornerback’s two-interception performance that also included a 53-yard touchdown return.

Key stats: USC defeated Nebraska 45-42 in the Holiday Bowl last season in a game that featured 1,040 yards of total offense.

Ball was seen after the game stealing the game ball away from an Auburn athletic trainer. Auburn had big expectations heading into the season but ended up falling off the pace as Jeremy Johnson struggled early at quarterback and eventually lost the job before regaining it down the stretch. Sean White threw the pass directly to Reggie Ball, who had a clear path to the end zone to tie the game with 3:06 before intermission.

“He got his opportunity”, Malzahn said of Johnson, who had three carries for 26 yards and his only pass was the touchdown.

As bowl mania hits its final stretch this week, some of the more interesting matchups are starting to appear the slate. “When he went into the game, he gave us great momentum”. With that said, it could be hard for an SEC team to get up for this game while Lynch likely plays his final game for Memphis. But the 126 yards rushing and a touchdown by Auburn running back Jovon Robinson has taken a back seat.

Stat of the Game: Memphis, one of the top passing teams in the country, averaged just 2.9 yards per pass play while completing just 16 of 37 throws. The All-SEC freshman led the Tigers with six solo tackles and five assists and was in terrific in pass coverage.

Memphis has been powered all season by a potent and prolific pass attack. It was Gus Malzahn’s first bowl victory as a head coach. In full, Auburn emerged with the 31-10 victory.