AU offense returns from vacation

AUBURN — It was happening right before my eyes.

Auburn’s offense was actually moving the ball and making big plays and, oh yeah, scoring points.

And it didn’t matter who was under center.

On their way to a 55-20 win over New Mexico State, the Tigers scored 21 points in an electrifying first half of football that included more than 450 yards of offense from the two teams. Auburn’s 21 points in that one half is seven more than last week’s total in a loss to Mississippi State. More importantly, it set the tone for the rest of the night.

You could make the case that New Mexico State’s defense stinks, but still, Auburn found a nice, rhythmic offensive attack — something it had yet to stumble upon this season.

True freshman Kodi Burns started at quarterback for the Tigers, but it was senior Brandon Cox who made most of the passes. Cox, who was cheered for once as he entered the game early in the second quarter, completed 5 of 7 attempts in the first half for 53 yards.

Burns’ only completion was his 58-yard touchdown strike to receiver Rod Smith.

But it wasn’t strictly passing.

Auburn finally found a running game with Ben Tate and Mario Fannin. The two combined for 83 yards in the first half as Auburn rolled to a whopping 191 yards of offense.

But a scary situation involving Tate unfolded late in the second quarter. Tate, a sophomore, collapsed after a running play. He remained down on the grass for nearly five minutes before finally being helped off the field.

Once he got to the sideline, trainers examined his right knee. But before you could blink, he threw on his helmet and trotted back out on the field.

Auburn’s worst nightmare would be an injury to Tate. He and Fannin are the only true tailbacks that Auburn has left at the moment. Running back Tristan Davis fractured a toe during preseason practice. He is expected to return next week.

Running back Brad Lester’s suspension will come to an end in two weeks. He should play in against Vanderbilt.

Tate and Fannin have produced for the Tigers. They were the key to Auburn’s strong offensive surprise in that first half.

No matter how many yards the Tigers ran for, the big story surrounded the quarterback quandary. Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville said during the week that both quarterbacks, Burns and Cox, would play but that he refused to use a two-quarterback system.

Last week against Mississippi State, Cox played the first two series before Burns took control for the next nine. Then Cox played the last series.

Against New Mexico State, Burns answered the question of the week when he trotted onto the field as the starter.

He played the first four series, then relinquished the duty to Cox in the second quarter. Burns ran the same shotgun-option package that we all saw last game, but it didn’t work as well as it did early against Mississippi State.

Burns carried the ball four times and gained 12 yards in the first quarter.

Auburn’s offense resembled its sluggish ways of the last three weeks early in the game, but when Burns hit Smith for that touchdown, the offense ignited.

This was an offense that ranked 100th in the nation, averaging just 300 yards a game. Auburn hit that mark early in the third quarter.

This was an offense that was 93rd in scoring with 20 points per game. But it had 21 at the half.

There were several dropped passes — one would have been a touchdown — but overall the Auburn offense was back ... for at least this game, anyway.