Auburn Wins 2022 Opener vs Mercer

The Tigers decisively defeated the Bears with a final score of 42-16. Let’s dive into the full story of this game.

From the outset, it was evident that the Tigers aimed to dominate on the ground. Seven of their first eight plays were runs, one of which was a 19-yard touchdown by Jarquez Hunter, giving the Tigers a 7-0 lead. The second drive featured big plays, including a 49-yard run by Robby Ashford and a 39-yard pass from T.J. Finley to junior Ja'Varrius Johnson. The drive concluded with a 2-yard touchdown pass from Finley to John Samuel Shenker, extending the Tigers' lead to 14.

The second quarter resembled the first, marked by Auburn's strong defense and dominant run game. Jarquez Hunter scored his second touchdown on a 2-yard run, making it 21-0 with 10 minutes remaining in the first half. Mercer struggled to score and punted for the fourth time. After the punt, Tank Bigsby, another Auburn junior, ended the drive with a 2-yard run, increasing the lead to 28-0. Mercer's offense couldn't match Auburn's defense, and their chances of scoring seemed slim until Chris Jones intercepted a pass from T.J. Finley. Capitalizing on the turnover, Fred Peyton threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Devron Harper with 20 seconds left in the half, making the score 28-7 in favor of Auburn.

After halftime, Mercer punted on their first drive, while Auburn's first drive ended in another interception by Finley, this time caught by sophomore defensive back T.J. Moore. Mercer failed to capitalize on the turnover and punted the ball back to Auburn. The Tigers then completed an 80-yard drive with Hunter's third touchdown. The next time Auburn had the ball, they scored in just two plays, thanks to a 39-yard touchdown run by Tank Bigsby, extending their lead to 42-7. Mercer managed a 33-yard field goal before the third quarter ended, making the score 42-10.

The fourth quarter allowed some of Auburn's younger players to gain experience. Aside from a turnover on downs by Auburn and another Mercer touchdown, the quarter was uneventful. Mercer's final drive consisted of nine plays for 65 yards and concluded with an 8-yard touchdown pass from Fred Payton to Devron Harper. They missed the extra point, making the final score 42-16. Auburn celebrated their first win of the season, while Mercer recorded their first loss.

Auburn's defense performed solidly, although the pass rush could improve. As they prepare for their week two matchup against a 1-0 San Jose State team, this might be an area of focus. Tank Bigsby appears to be a Heisman candidate if he maintains his current form. Ja'Varrius Johnson also impressed as a deep threat for Finley, who needs to improve his ball security for Auburn to compete in the stacked SEC.

Mercer's next game is at home against the 1-0 Citadel Bulldogs, who will play East Tennessee State on September 10. Given Mercer's consistent performance in recent seasons, expect a competitive game in which Mercer is the favorite.