Mississippi State Beats Auburn in a Thriller

While the rest of the league grabs all the attention, Mississippi State just keeps winning.

And the 14th-ranked Bulldogs did it in thrilling fashion Saturday, scoring two touchdowns in the final 2 1/2 minutes for an 18-16 victory over Auburn at Auburn, Ala.

Matt Wyatt threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Matt Butler with 19 seconds to play to complete the comeback win. The touchdown came on third down.

Mississippi State is 6-0 overall and 3-0 in the Southeastern Conference, while Auburn (3-3, 1-3) has lost three in a row.

It’s the first time in 55 years that Mississippi State is 6-0.

Still, the Bulldogs get little respect. Earlier in the week, Auburn Coach Tommy Tuberville said that Mississippi State hadn’t played its best competition yet.

Wyatt, a senior who has started 15 games in his career, came in at the start of the second half when Wayne Madkin couldn’t return because of a torn tendon in his index finger.

The Bulldogs trailed Auburn, 10-0, at the time, and Wyatt was intercepted on his first series, which led to a field goal by Damon Duval, making it 13-0.

But Wyatt eventually got Mississippi State going, hooking up with C.J. Sirmones on a 16-yard touchdown pass that cut Auburn’s lead to 16-10 with 2:28 to play.

Then the Tigers, instead of punting from deep in their territory, took a safety, making it 16-12.

Pig Prather returned the ensuing free kick 41 yards, and Wyatt needed only four plays to do the rest.

Auburn had one last chance, but an interception ended the game.