Stidham, Tigers cruise past Eagles

AUBURN, Ala. — Jarrett Stidham threw two touchdown passes and ran for a score in his debut for No. 12 Auburn in a 41-7 victory over Georgia Southern on Saturday night.

The Tigers used a smothering defense to overcome three turnovers — including a fumble returned for a touchdown — plus an injury to tailback Kerryon Johnson and the absence of top runner Kamryn Pettway. Pettway, wide receiver Kyle Davis and backup quarterback Sean White were held out for undisclosed reasons.

The news got worse when Johnson pulled up short on what appeared destined to be his second long touchdown of the first half. He left with an apparent right hamstring injury and didn’t return after gaining 136 yards with a 60-yard touchdown scamper.

Stidham scored on a 14-yard run and passed for 19-yard touchdowns to Ryan Davis and Will Hastings in the opener for both teams.

He finished 14-of-24 passing for 185 yards with an interception in a much-anticipated debut.

The former Baylor quarterback had one rough sequence when a pass was batted and almost intercepted behind the line, a forced throw across the middle was picked off and a fumble was returned for a touchdown.

Chris DeLaRosa jarred the ball loose from Stidham with a blind-side hit and linebacker Tomarcio Reese scooped and scored from 22

No. 12 Auburn 41, Ga. Southern 7

yards out. Auburn thirdteam tailback Kam Martin had a big day, with a 36-yard touchdown and a 61-yard run.

He gained 136 yards on 14 carries to match Johnson.

The Tigers outgained Georgia Southern 535-78 in total yards.

Auburn: Stidham wasn’t perfect in his first game after being sidelined for 651 days, but the Auburn offense also isn’t as effective without the bulldozing Pettway.

A defense that was the strength of last year’s team looked strong again.

The Tigers racked up five sacks and 12 tackles for loss and made a fourth-and-goal stop in the final quarter.