Oct 21, 2006, 22:10 GMT
Auburn, AL - Brandon Cox threw for 212 yards and three touchdowns to lead the eighth-ranked Auburn Tigers to a 38-13 thrashing of the Tulane Green Wave at Jordan-Hare Stadium on homecoming day.
Cox torched the Green Wave secondary on 16-of-19 passing for Auburn (7-1), which has posted a 29-4 record since the start of the 2004 season, good for the third best record in NCAA Division I-A during that span.
Courtney Taylor caught five passes for 63 yards and a touchdown and Tre Smith ended with a score and 22 yards receiving on two catches.
The two teams played 36 times from 1902-1955, but had not met since. Tulane owns a 17-14-6 lead in the all-time series.
The Tigers racked up 432 total yards of total offense to Tulane's 389 yards.
'We came out today and wanted to put an emphasis on throwing the ball and especially on being more efficient,' said Taylor. 'Brandon (Cox) was excellent today and we were able to put together some passing plays.'
Lester Ricard threw for 283 yards and completed 20 of his 39 passes for the Green Wave (2-5), who have now lost four of their last five games. Richard also threw one interception.
Preston Brown caught nine passes for 139 yards and Damarcus Davis hauled in eight passes for 126 yards and one touchdown. Matt Forte added 117 yards rushing for Tulane.
Auburn got out in front first, as Brad Lester's two-yard touchdown run capped a 9-play, 74-yard drive to give the Tigers a 7-0 lead on their first offensive possession of the game.
Tulane answered on the ensuing drive, marching from their own 20 after the touchback. Seven plays later, Ricard hit Davis with a 23-yard TD pass down the left sideline to tie things up with 6:05 remaining in the first quarter.
Both sides traded punts before the Tigers got on the board again, bridging another scoring drive into the second quarter. Tommy Trott hauled in a 27-yard pass from Cox for the score, giving Auburn a 14-7 lead with the clock at 14:51.
They widened the gap again shortly thereafter, when Ricard fumbled on the 15 yard-line and it was recovered by Auburn's Karibi Dede. The Tigers turned the turnover into points just two plays later when Cox hooked up with Smith on a six-yard yard slant pass for the score, making it a 21-7 game with 12:07 remaining until halftime.
Both sides traded field goals later on, with Ross Thevenot nailing a 21-yarder for Tulane and Auburn's John Vaughn splitting the uprights from 45 yards away with the clock at zero.
Late in the third stanza the Green Wave gave the Tigers another chance to put some points on the board. Ricard's pass was complete to Brown, but the receiver fumbled the ball at the Auburn five-yard line and it was recovered by the Tigers' Will Herring. 10 plays later, Cox heaved a 23-yard touchdown pass to Taylor for a 31-10 cushion.
Then with 12 seconds to go in the third quarter, Tulane's Thevenot connected from 31 yards out to make it 31-13.
Tate ran for a one-yard touchdown with 9:52 left in the game, pushing the Auburn lead to 38-13.
'It felt good to get out there and play for long stretches,' said Tate after the game. 'I didn't expect to get that many carries. I think the coaches wanted to put me out and there and test me and see how I would do over a long stretch. Hopefully I will grade out well and I will get more opportunities in SEC games.'
Game Notes
Auburn's all-time record in homecoming games is 67-8-5. They have won their last 15 homecoming contests.Tulane has now surrendered at least 24 points in all seven games this season.Brandon Cox has thrown 101 consecutive passes without an interception and has been picked off only twice this year.
Auburn's all-time record in homecoming games is 67-8-5. They have won their last 15 homecoming contests.
Tulane has now surrendered at least 24 points in all seven games this season.
Brandon Cox has thrown 101 consecutive passes without an interception and has been picked off only twice this year.
© 2006 The Sports Network
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