Defensive play key as Auburn prevails

AUBURN, Ala. — Eric Brock's instructions were simple and altogether appropriate for the final play of Auburn's latest slugfest with LSU.

"The coaches told us anything we see in front of us, you hit it," the Auburn safety said.

Brock's game-saving tackle just a few yards from the goal line on the final play preserved No. 3 Auburn's 7-3 win over sixth-ranked LSU on Saturday. He also tipped away a fourth-down pass to end another late LSU threat as Auburn turned away the visiting Tigers again and again.

What has become the Southeastern Conference's most rugged rivalry had all the usual elements: two punishing defenses, a pivotal officials' call that left both sides a bit perplexed and some follies in the kicking game.

The call went Auburn's way.

With LSU facing fourth-and-8 from Auburn's 31 and 2:43 left, JaMarcus Russell fired the ball to Early Doucet near the goal line. A diving Brock deflected the pass, but Zach Gilbert was called for pass interference that would have kept the drive alive.

The officials overturned the call, although replays showed the contact came before the ball was tipped by Brock.

"I got sick to my stomach," Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville said about seeing the flag. "I still don't understand it. It's just a judgment call and thank goodness it went our way."

LSU coach Les Miles wasn't happy with the change.

"If the ball is tipped at the line of scrimmage, there is no pass interference," said Miles, also unhappy with a pass interference call against his team. "The ball was tipped downfield. The proper explanation will be forthcoming."

Auburn (3-0, 2-0) got the ball but LSU's defense stopped Kenny Irons on three straight runs.

The visiting Tigers (2-1, 0-1) drove to Auburn's 24 with 2.5 seconds left as Russell hooked up with Craig Davis for gains of 20 and 21 yards, and Dwayne Bowe for 21. On the final play, Russell went to Davis again. The receiver caught the pass inside the 10, but Brock stopped him cold with a jarring hit at the 6.

"It was a low throw on the final play, but it was not JaMarcus' fault," Davis said. "I was expecting it to be a jump ball in the end zone."

Only then could Auburn fans celebrate, their national title hopes healthy. The win, coupled with No. 2 Notre Dame's 47-21 loss to Michigan, could push Auburn up to No. 2 in the rankings.