:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52564997/usa_today_9785240.0.jpeg)
Auburn quarterback Sean White was taken to the locker during the second quarter of Monday night’s 2017 Sugar Bowl. Once he departed, the Tiger offense disappeared and they ultimately lost 35-19 to the Oklahoma Sooners.
The Auburn offense started out hot, driving 75 yards against OU to score its first touchdown of the game, a 3-yard run by Chandler Cox. However, that drive also yield the injury that would force White out of the game, a broken arm.
Although White suffered the injury early on in the game, he played through the pain until it was too much to handle.
Auburn replaced White with John Franklin III and the offense was nonexistent. In fact, Franklin III only led the Tigers to one scoring drive, a field goal, and the rest of his drives resulted in punts. Franklin was also taken out of the game due to an injury. Jeremy Johnson replaced him and when it seemed like Auburn was about to score, he threw an interception in the end zone.
Despite throwing an interception, Johnson was able to lead Auburn on a touchdown drive in the final minutes of the game, which was capped off by a nine-yard pass from Kerryon Johnson to Jalen Harris.
Since Auburn’s offense couldn’t stay on the field, its defense was on the field for the majority of the game and caused the unit to get winded. With that, the Sooners were able to have its way with the Tigers.
Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield sliced and diced the Auburn secondary. The signal caller completed 19 of his 28 passes for 296 yards and two touchdowns. Not only did he gash the Tiger secondary, he was like a magician against the navy and orange. When it seemed like Auburn had Mayfield stopped for a loss, he would somehow escape and make big play after big play with four passes of 20-plus yards.
While the Tigers couldn’t stop the Sooners through the air, it couldn’t stop on the ground either.
Oklahoma running backs, Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine, rushed for 91 and 86 yards respectively. They also combined for three scores (two from Mixon and one from Perine).
On the night, Auburn was outgained 524-339 against Oklahoma. The loss put the Tigers at 8-5 for the 2016-17 season and gives the SEC a 6-5 record this bowl season.