Auburn Just Peachy In Big Fourth Quarter Blocked Punts Give Clemson Early Lead, But Auburn Rallies

Dameyune Craig engineered three fourth-quarter scoring drives, and Auburn’s defense held Clemson to 146 yards Friday as the Tigers rallied for a 21-17 victory in the Peach Bowl.

Auburn (10-3), ranked 13th going into the game but 11th in the final poll, won despite allowing three blocked punts, one that was returned for a TD and another that landed inside the 5-yard line and led directly to Clemson’s other TD.

For the third straight season, Clemson (7-5) began 3-3 and rallied for a bowl bid. Auburn won its second straight bowl game thanks to a 15-point fourth quarter.

Like his teammates, Craig shrugged off a terrible first three quarters and finished with 258 yards passing, including a perfect 28-yard lob to Karsten Bailey to set up the go-ahead touchdown, a 7-yard run by Rusty Williams with 8:45 left.

On Auburn’s next possession, Williams made a one-handed grab on the sideline for a 34-yard gain to set up Jaret Holmes’ third field goal - the game’s final points.

Auburn linebacker Ricky Neal had 12 tackles to lead a defense that played its best game despite coach Terry Bowden’s decision to send two starters home for breaking team rules on New Year’s Eve.

Auburn 21, Clemson 17 Clemson 0 7 10 0 17 Auburn 3 3 0 15 21 AubFG Holmes 52 ClemSpeck 18 blocked punt return (Richardson kick) AubFG Holmes 24 ClemWitherspoon 2 run (Richardson kick) ClemFG Richardson 48 AubCraig 22 run (pass failed) AubWilliams 7 run (pass failed) AubFG Holmes 22 A71,212.

Cle Aub First downs 4 18 Rushes-yards 27-60 36-108 Passing 86 258 Comp-Att-Int 11-25-1 15-45-0 Return Yards 122 130 Punts-Avg. 9-43.7 6-25.8 Fumbles-Lost 1-0 1-1 Penalties-Yards 5-59 7-63 Time of Possession 27:59 32:01 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING-Clemson, Priester 19-62, Austin 3-3, Witherspoon 1-2, Greene 4-(minus 7). Auburn, Williams 18-71, Craig 9-26, Carter 4-7, Beasley 5-4.

PASSING-Clemson, Greene 11-25-1-86. Auburn, Craig 15-45-0-258.

RECEIVING-Clemson, Austin 3-32, Horne 2-10, Hall 2-6, Wofford 2-5, Gardner 1-27, Lawyer 1-6. Auburn, Bailey 4-119, Poor 4-73, Goodson 4-64, Lowe 1-8, Williams 1-3, Beasley 1-(minus 9).