Auburn’s Takeaways Power Rout and Clinch Bowl Eligibility

Auburn’s defense forced five fumbles in the first half and recovered four, helping the Tigers turn those possessions into 24 points. The 41-9 win over Mississippi State lifted Auburn to 6-4 overall and 4-4 in the SEC, guaranteeing the Tigers a bowl game for the first time since 2023.

The defense set up Auburn’s first touchdown when Darrion Smith returned a strip-sack recovery to the Mississippi State 1-yard line. Byrum Brown scored on the next play. Auburn added two more first-half touchdowns after takeaways, then a field goal before halftime to take a 27-7 lead.

Brown connected with Chas Nimrod for a 34-yard touchdown in the third quarter, then found Keshaun Singleton for a 42-yard score. Brown finished with 232 passing yards and three passing touchdowns, completing 19 of 26 attempts. He also ran for 39 yards and a score.

Auburn recorded seven sacks and held the Bulldogs to 46 rushing yards. Shadarius Toodle led the Tigers with 10 tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack and a forced fumble. Mississippi State used three quarterbacks as Auburn’s pass rush repeatedly disrupted the offense.

Auburn hosts Samford next, then travels to Tuscaloosa to close the regular season against Alabama. Mississippi State’s next game is at home against Tennessee Tech.