Mullen Era Games vs. Auburn
Sept 8, 2012; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs running back LaDarius Perkins (27) advances the ball for extra yardage Auburn Tigers cornerback Chris Davis (11) during the game at Davis Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Spruce DerdenUSA TODAY Sports
There has not been another series in the Mullen era filled with close, exciting games as the Auburn one. It hasn’t been as successful as others, but all the drama and heartbreak has led to this becoming one of the most wanted games on the MSU fan calendar.
2009
Things didn’t start out so well when Coach Mullen took his first road trip as Mississippi State head coach. Not much you can say here – we were spanked 49-24.
2010
Cam Newton. His return to Starkville nearly ended in a Bulldog victory. It was the closest they played all year with the exception of the Iron Bowl and national championship.
MSU’s defense held Auburn scoreless in the 2nd half. A third quarter TD made the score 17-14, and when Wes Byrum missed a 34 yard FG it gave Chris Relf a chance to bring State into field goal range on a two minute drill. Despite just being 3 of 9 on the drive, a 2nd down pass to Leon Berry that was dropped at the 15 yard line would have given MSU that chance. As it were, the Dawgs were stopped on downs just missing an opportunity to beat the future national champs.
2011
MSU came into this game as nearly a touchdown favorite. Auburn jumped on us quickly but we came roaring back and a see-saw affair went down to the wire.
Missed opportunities and bad calls still make this one sting. The 4th & 1 spot where daylight was clearly between the chain and the ball, which gave way to a touchdown to put Auburn up 41-27 was awful. Then the confusing call when Vick Ballard helicoptered over the pylon for what would’ve been the game-tying score, and was called out of bounds at the one.
Then, of course, the last play of the game. Chris Relf had been a hero all day – 195 yards passing and 106 yards rushing. If he passes the ball we have one more play. If he pitches the ball to Ballard it’s a tie game. But he tried to bulldoze his way into the endzone and it didn’t work….six inches short. Auburn 41, MSU 34.
2012
During the summer of 2012 the only thing on Mississippi State’s mind was Auburn. When they came to Starkville they got the brunt of it with a 28-10 Bulldog victory. Tyler Russell displayed his talents making throws many had never seen a MSU QB make.
Auburn would go on to have a tailspin 0-8 season, and it started at Davis Wade. Looking back it wasn’t a big win, but at the time it certainly was.
2013
Similar to how the 2012 game sent Auburn into a tailspin, the 2013 game propelled them to a remarkable comeback year that lead them to the SEC championship.
MSU could not take advantage of some turnovers (0 points off three of them) and playing conservative late in the game really cost them….especially on the final drive which Nick Marshall engineered a perfect two minute drill to win the game, 24-20.