Malzahn: 'Type of win our guys needed'

AUBURN | Gus Malzahn told his players all week that they would win a close game Saturday. They believed him and then they came out on the field and delivered.

Auburn hung on for an 18-13 win over No. 18 LSU after a final desperate LSU touchdown was overruled because the clock ran out before the snap.

“This is the type of win our guys needed,” Malzahn said. “I’ve been saying that we were close and I knew that we were close. We had two tough losses … and for our guys to respond and beat a top-20 team that can run the ball and play defense, is really good for us.”

Auburn ends a four-game September home stand with a 2-2 record with wins over LSU and Arkansas State and losses to Clemson and Texas A&M.

“We needed this win,” said senior wide receiver Tony Stevens, who had four catches for 58 yards. “The team has always been together, but now everyone’s confidence is up to a new level.”

The win ended two ugly home losing streaks including six to SEC opponents and seven to Power 5 schools. Auburn’s last home SEC and Power 5 win was over South Carolina 42-35 on Oct. 25, 2014.

“This is a huge win,” said running back Kerryon Johnson who combined for 161 yards rushing and receiving. “Personally for me and the rest of our sophomore class, this is our first SEC home game win. We had to come out and prove we’re a good team and I think we did that.”

Auburn has a home game against Louisiana-Monroe (1-2) next Saturday, its first road trip to Mississippi State (2-2) Oct. 8 and then an off-week to prepare for a home match against Arkansas.

“I am very proud of our players and I think it will give us some momentum moving forward,” Malzahn said. “The crowd was unbelievable. I want to thank the Auburn fans and the Auburn Family. Our students were off the charts and really helped us late in the game.”

After going through a tough week following last Saturday’s 29-16 loss, there was excitement and a lot of relief on the faces of Auburn’s players late Saturday night.

“We fought real hard for that victory,” linebacker Deshaun Davis said. “I feel like we deserved that W. We practiced real hard and the coaches challenged us to put that Texas A&M game behind us and come and get this W and I feel like that’s what we did. I’m very proud of my teammates.”