Sep 23, 2017; Columbia, MO, USA; Auburn Tigers running back Kerryon Johnson (21) runs against Missouri Tigers defensive back DeMarkus Acy (17) during the first half at Faurot Field. Photo Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
No. 15 Auburn was in need of an offensive spark. Running back Kerryon Johnson delivered.
Johnson rushed for five touchdowns — four in the first half — and Auburn rolled past Missouri 51-14 on Saturday in Columbia, Mo.
Johnson battled a hamstring injury that caused him to miss Auburn’s previous two games, but he started the game and added another element to coach Gus Malzahn’s offense. Johnson finished with 48 of Auburn’s 263 rushing yards.
Auburn (3-1, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) opened the second half with back-to-back touchdown drives to put Missouri away. Johnson scored on 1-yard plunge and quarterback Jarrett Stidham threw a 57-yard touchdown pass to Nate Craig-Meyers to put Auburn in command 45-7.
Stidham completed 13 of 17 passes for 218 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions.
Missouri (1-3, 0-1) lost its third straight game and struggled on both sides of the ball. After scoring 72 points in an opening win over Missouri State, coach Barry Odom’s Tigers have managed just 30 points in their last three games.
Missouri quarterback Drew Lock threw touchdown passes to Damarea Crockett and J’Mon Moore.
Auburn put together its most complete performance of an uneven first month of the season, which included a 14-6 loss at No. 2 Clemson and multiple lackluster offensive outings.
Auburn entered the game ranked second nationally in total defense and dominated the first half.
Defensive back Carlton Davis had an interception off a tipped pass that led to a touchdown and defensive lineman Marlon Davidson returned a fumble to the Missouri 20-yard line, setting up Johnson’s fourth touchdown run of the first half that put Auburn up 28-0.
Johnson scored on runs of 7, 2, 1 and 1 yards in the first half.
Trailing by four touchdowns late in the second quarter, Missouri mounted its best drive of the first half. Lock hit a series of short throws before capping a 10-play drive with a well-executed screen pass to Crockett. The drive accounted for 78 of Missouri’s 173 yards in the first half.
Auburn kicker Daniel Carlson’s 41-yard field goal sent the visiting Tigers into halftime with a commanding 31-7 lead.
NOTES: Auburn RB Kamryn Pettway, an All-SEC tailback, played but did not have a carry in the first half. … Saturday’s game marked the first meeting between Auburn and Missouri. … Auburn DB Carlton Davis had his fourth career interception. … Auburn LB Jeff Holland forced a fumble on a sack of Missouri QB Drew Lock in the first half. … Missouri has a bye next week before returning to SEC play on Oct. 7 at Kentucky. … Auburn hosts No. 17 Mississippi State next Saturday.
