Freshman QB sparks Auburn

ATLANTA – Auburn showed off more than a new offense Monday night. The Tigers also found a new quarterback.

Freshman backup Kodi Burns threw for a touchdown and scored on a seven-yard run in overtime to lead Auburn to a 23-20 victory over Clemson in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.

After Mark Buchholz kicked a 25-yard field goal on Clemson’s opening possession of overtime, Burns scored on a spinning run on a third-and-3 play.

Auburn’s starting quarterback, Brandon Cox, ran for a first down on fourth-and-1 from the 16 to keep the Tigers’ overtime possession alive.

Cullen Harper was only 12 of 29 passing for 91 yards as Clemson was held to 11 first downs and 276 yards in regulation.

Burns played behind Cox as Auburn played its first game in the spread offense installed by new offensive coordinator Tony Franklin, who was hired after the regular season.

Burns threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Mario Fannin for his only completion of the game and had 13 carries for 69 yards, including the winning run.

No. 22 Auburn (9-4) denied No. 15 Clemson (9-4) its first 10-win season since 1990.

C.J. Spiller had eight carries for 112 yards for Clemson, including an 83-yard touchdown run, but Cullen Harper was only 14 of 33 passing for 104 yards. Auburn had just 12 first downs.

There were concerns that the attempt to implement Franklin’s offense so quickly could lead to confusion for Auburn, but after mixed reviews during regulation as the quarterbacks shared snaps, it produced at the right time in overtime.