Woody Marks, Southern California Football News: Draft Scout Player News

11/06/22 - RB Woody Marks, rSr/2025, Southern California

A year ago, Auburn had a 28-3 lead in the first half against Mississippi State only to see the Bulldogs make a stunning comeback. Saturday's rematch was playing out the same way in reverse. Mississippi State built a 24-3 lead in the first half but the Bulldog offense stalled for about two and a half quarters and Auburn had two different leads in the final 5 minutes. Ultimately, the Bulldogs sent the game to overtime on a Massimo Biscardi 44-yard field goal and a 6-yard Jo'Quavious Marks touchdown run walked off the win, 39-33. "It was good at the end and good at the beginning. The defense, I thought, kept us in it," Mike Leach said. "Wins are hard no matter who you are and sometimes there are games like that. The toughest teams stick through it, battles and wins." The Bulldogs (6-3, 3-3 Southeastern Conference) blew a 24-3 lead and watched as the Tigers (3-6, 1-5) outscored them 27-9 in the second half.

But Mississippi State wound up handing Auburn its fifth consecutive loss, this time under interim coach and former Tigers running back Carnell Williams. The Tigers fired coach Bryan Harsin on Monday, the same day that MSU athletic director John Cohen left his alma mater to run Auburn's department. "I tip my hat to Mississippi State. Wow, what a game. Those kids fought hard," Williams said. "You're not going to win them all, but I'm so proud of my guys. There are so many life lessons that these kids are going to learn." Auburn's Anders Carlson pushed a 38-yard field goal attempt wide right to start overtime. Then the Bulldogs capitalized on freshman J.D. Rhym's pass interference on a deep ball to set up Marks' winning score. Will Rogers broke Dak Prescott's Bulldogs career passing yards and touchdowns records in the first quarter. But the Bulldogs' offense was stuck in neutral for most of the rest of the ball game - until it mattered most. State built a 24-3 lead in the first half only to see the Tigers work their way back into the game in the third quarter with 13 points thanks to a dropped snap on a punt and an interception from Rogers that closed the gap to 24-19. - Mississippi State/AP College Football

rSr/2025