Auburn Tigers @ Tennessee Volunteers
Bishop rushes for 220 yards, 3 TDs to lead No. 17 Tennessee over Auburn 24-14
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- — DeSean Bishop rushed for a career-high 220 yards and three touchdowns to lead No. 17 Tennessee to a 24-14 victory over Auburn on Saturday.
Tennessee (4-1, 1-1 in Southeastern Conference) overcame a sluggish start with the help of George MacIntyre replacing Faizon Brandon at quarterback late in the second quarter. The Volunteers trailed 7-3 at halftime. MacIntyre completed his first six pass attempts for 80 yards and finished 8 of 10 for 86 yards.
“(Coming off the bench midgame) is the hardest thing to do,” said Tennessee coach Josh Heupel. “We rep our (second-teamers in practice) a bunch. That helps in their preparation.”
“Man, (MacIntyre) was as efficient as you can imagine,” said Auburn coach Alex Golesh, who had been an offensive coordinator for Heupel. “I thought he operated well.”
Bishop's 34 carries was a rare stat in the Heupel regime. He usually spreads the carries around.
“It was just the way (Bishop) was running,” Heupel said. “He felt much better this week than last week.”
“This game was personal for me,” said Bishop. “(Golesh) was one reason I came as a walk-on at Tennessee. Every time I touched the ball I had a purpose.”
Auburn (3-2, 1-2) was led by quarterback Byrum Brown with 159 passing yards and a touchdown as well as 107 rushing yards and a touchdown. Brown was intercepted twice and had a fumble.
Adding to their struggles, the Tigers were flagged 11 times for 94 yards.
Trailing 17-14 midway through the fourth quarter, Auburn was fourth-and-1 on its own 24. Omar Mason II was stuffed for no gain, giving Tennessee the ball and setting up the clinching TD.
“We always say, ‘Give us an inch and we’ll defend it,' ” Vols safety Dejuan Lane said. “That's what we did.”
Both teams muddled through an unproductive first half. Auburn generated just 86 yards of total offense but led, 7-3, at the break. The only touchdown was by Brown on a 7-yard run.
It came after Brandon threw his first interception of the season deep in his own territory. The Vols had 125 total yards. Bishop's 40-yard TD run was negated by an illegal block penalty.
Auburn: This was just the start of the gauntlet for the Tigers. After an open date, they are scheduled to face No. 2 Georgia, No. 11 LSU and No. 9 Ole Miss. LSU is the only home game of the stretch.
Tennessee: The problems that plagued Tennessee in last week's loss to Texas were there against Auburn. In the first quarter, the Vols had five negative yardage plays. Brandon had three pass completions for zero yards in the first half.
Without guards Wendell Moe (out for season) and Sham Umarov (expected to return soon), the Vols inserted Nic Moore at left guard and Donovan Haslam at right guard.
Auburn: After an open date, the Tigers are on the road against Georgia on Oct. 17.
Tennessee: The Vols travel to Arkansas next Saturday.
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