Auburn’s defense seals Birmingham Bowl victory over Memphis

We’ve got you covered with this updating college football TV schedule. The game is scheduled for a 12:00 p.m. start time and it will be televised nationally on ESPN. Auburn bucked up deep in their own territory, though, forcing Memphis to go for a 4th and 16 in order to stay in the game. While former Arizona State offensive coordinator Mike Norvell was hired to replace Fuente, interim coach Darrell Dickey will guide Memphis today.

Four Auburn players threw passes.

As for coming to Birmingham, Memphis fans said they love it. It’s a short trip and many are already filling up downtown hotels like the Westin near Uptown. However, Auburn seeks its first bowl win under Guz Malzahn.

Memphis (9-3) was ranked 13th in the nation in mid-November after starting their season 8-0.

Running back Peyton Barber extended an Auburn record of 1,000-yard rushers. Memphis has won both meetings between the two schools, a 31-20 victory in 1975 and a 28-27 win the next year.

Auburn wasted an early 10-0 lead thanks to a disastrous offensive stretch that included three interceptions on four drives. Coach Gus Malzahn confirmed after the game that Kevin Steele will take over as the Auburn defensive coordinator. Memphis left tackle Taylor Fallin is questionable with an undisclosed injury.

The fourth quarter proved to be a game changer for Auburn on Wednesday in the Birmingham Bowl.

Memphis gained one first down on its opening possession before punting to Auburn, which drove 70 yards on 10 plays to score the game’s opening TD on an eight-yard run by Kerryon Johnson, who lined up as a wildcat quarterback.

Key matchup: North Carolina State QB Jacoby Brissett vs. Mississippi State defense. It’s been profitable nearly all year betting against Auburn (3-9 ATS), so let’s keep on that train.

Jacoby Brissett threw for one touchdown and ran for one for the Wolfpack (7-6).

Wide receiver Fred Ross had seven catches for 74 yards and a touchdown and scored on a 33-yard reverse. They’ll face a hot Louisville team in the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl. Jake Elliott came on for Memphis and drilled a 53 yard field goal to make the score 10-3 midway through the second quarter. The Tigers beat BYU a year ago 55-48 in the Miami Beach Bowl. Lynch moved the Tigers into the red zone, but saw his pass tipped in the air and intercepted in the end zone for a touchback. Robinson had 121 of those yards on 25 carries. The Trojans will face No. 23 Wisconsin, a team that it has toppled in all six previous meetings. Sean White threw two picks, Jason Smith threw another and Auburn attempted just 17 passes. The senior has three receiving touchdowns and has three times recorded nine receptions in a game this season.

Total: Memphis does it with offense. The junior threw for two touchdowns and rushed for two more in a 56-34 win over Idaho on November 21 that gained the team bowl eligibility but struggled again in a loss to Alabama the next week.

Granted, we didn’t actually see Ball steal the game ball from Auburn’s equipment staff, but picturing the heist with our own imagination is probably way better.