Auburn’s Cobb Breaks Record in First Start

Daniel Cobb waited until midway through his senior year at Auburn for his first start at quarterback.

He made the best of the opportunity Saturday, breaking a school record by throwing five touchdown passes--including a five-yard toss in the first overtime--to give No. 20 Auburn a 48-41 victory over Louisiana Tech.

“Throwing five touchdowns, that’s great. A lot of it was the receivers doing something afterward,” Cobb said.

But Cobb and Auburn Coach Tommy Tuberville found something to complain about in the quarterback’s performance, mainly four interceptions, including one late in the fourth quarter that set up the Bulldogs’ tying touchdown.

“I’m upset about myself. I know better than to throw the ball up for grabs,” Cobb said.

After Cobb’s last interception, Louisiana Tech (3-3) tied the score, 41-41, with 58 seconds remaining on Luke McCown’s 23-yard pass to Delwyn Daigre.

Auburn’s Damon Duval missed a 37-yard field-goal attempt at the end of regulation.

Auburn (6-1) got the ball first in overtime and drove in for the touchdown from the 25 in five plays. Auburn clinched it on Louisiana Tech’s second offensive play of overtime when Dontarrious Thomas intercepted McCown’s pass.

“We knew what we were in for,” Tuberville said. “Fortunately they turned the ball over early. ... Games like that you have to have for a miracle season.”

The Tigers felt lucky to come away with the win, particularly with both teams gaining more than 500 yards.

“[Louisiana Tech] played loose with nothing to lose and were loaded,” Tuberville said.