Tennessee didn’t need a spectacular passing performance to beat Auburn. The Volunteers had DeSean Bishop, and on Saturday afternoon that was enough.
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Bishop turned in one of the weekend’s best individual performances, rushing 34 times for 220 yards and all three Tennessee touchdowns as the No. 17 Volunteers defeated Auburn 24-14 at Neyland Stadium.
This wasn’t a typical offensive shootout in Knoxville. The first quarter ended scoreless, and Tennessee managed only a field goal before Auburn quarterback Byrum Brown scrambled seven yards for a touchdown late in the second quarter.
Auburn took a 7-3 lead into halftime.
Tennessee emerged from the locker room determined to run the football. Bishop scored on a 25-yard run to put the Volunteers ahead 10-7 and later exploded for a 44-yard touchdown that increased the lead to 17-7.
Auburn still wasn’t finished.
Brown connected with A.J. Boardingham for a 16-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter, pulling the Tigers within 17-14.
Once again, Tennessee turned to Bishop. His five-yard touchdown with 3:35 remaining gave the Volunteers some breathing room at 24-14.
Auburn mounted one final threat and drove deep into Tennessee territory. With less than a minute remaining, Brown was intercepted at the Tennessee 1-yard line, ending the comeback attempt.
The statistics illustrate how costly Auburn’s mistakes were. The Tigers actually outgained Tennessee 345-323. Brown rushed 19 times for 107 yards and a touchdown while also throwing for 159 yards.
But Brown threw two interceptions, Auburn committed three turnovers overall and the Tigers were penalized 11 times for 94 yards.
Tennessee wasn’t mistake-free—it committed two turnovers—but the Volunteers were penalized only four times.
The Tennessee passing game contributed very little, making Bishop’s performance even more impressive. Auburn knew Tennessee wanted to run and still couldn’t consistently stop him.
Tennessee improved to 4-1 by winning a game that required patience rather than fireworks. The Volunteers showed they can win when their passing attack isn’t carrying the offense.
Auburn fell to 3-2 and will undoubtedly look back at the turnovers and penalties as missed opportunities in a game that remained within reach until the final minutes.
Final: Tennessee 24, Auburn 14
