Looking Back at the Outback Bowl

TAMPA, Fla. – Auburn celebrated its eighth win of the season four times Friday during the Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium.

The first three times, the Tigers found out they still had work to do.

Auburn’s 38-35 overtime win over Northwestern certainly didn’t come easy, nor did it come in conventional fashion.

So when Neiko Thorpe tackled Zeke Markshousen at the Auburn 2-yard line on a fourth-down fumblerooski variation, it was a fitting end to a spectacularly chaotic game.

“I’m not sure I’ve ever come into a game with seven wins and come out with 10,” Auburn coach Gene Chizik joked afterward. “I haven’t had a chance to see many bowl games this season, but it would be hard to find one better than that.”

By the time it was officially over, defensive back Demond Washington couldn’t even walk, much less celebrate. Northwestern’s 115 offensive plays and three celebrations had taken their toll on the entire defense. Reserve defensive end Dee Ford and a trainer had to carry Washington to the locker room before rejoining the team.

Other starters, like Thorpe, were so exhausted they were left gasping to catch their breath.

Finally, though, the Auburn players didn’t have to think about regrouping for a final play. That had happened plenty of times already, including with less than 1:30 remaining in regulation.

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