Auburn defeats Mercer for their first victory of the season

Auburn wins their week one matchup with Mercer by a score of 42-16.

Andrew Stefaniak | Sep 3, 2022

Auburn defeats Mercer for their first victory of the season /

In this story:

After a long game that included a one-hour lightning delay, the Tigers were able to leave with a 42-16 victory.

Starter TJ Finley made a few mistakes and eventually was benched for Robby Ashford. It will be a ton of fun to see how this storyline plays out throughout the week.

There were some positives and some negatives, but the Tigers won the game.

Now the focus is on next Saturday when the Tigers have a date with San Jose State.

We are out here!

T-minus 2 hours until kickoff between Auburn and Mercer.

Catch all the updates here: https://t.co/jdEdiSt72O pic.twitter.com/hsxDL3Es60
— Auburn Daily (@TheAuburnDaily) September 3, 2022

42-16 Auburn 0:25 4Q

Auburn Tigers linebacker Wesley Steiner (32) closes in on Mercer Bears running back Fred Jackson (12) during the game between the Mercer Bears and the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Sept. 3, 2022. — Eric Starling/Auburn Daily

Auburn will likely head out in victory formation.

A handoff to Alston will finish the game. Auburn wins 42-16.

42-10 Auburn 7:49 4Q

Mercer Bears wide receiver Devron Harper (1) goes up over Auburn Tigers safety Cayden Bridges (20) for the Bears first score of the game. Mercer Bears and the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Sept. 3, 2022. — Eric Starling/Auburn Daily

Ashford is back out there for the Tigers.

Damari Alston takes his first career reception for a 10 yard gain.

Ashford makes another great play finding John Samuel Shenker for a big gain.

The Tigers go for it on fourth down and Ashford can't pick it up with his legs.

Mercer will get the ball back with some great field position.

The Bears are moving the ball once again.

A Bear touchdown makes the score 42-16 after a missed extra point.

42-7 Auburn 1:21 3Q

Auburn Tigers linebacker Derick Hall (29) tackles Mercer Bears quarterback Fred Payton (4) for a loss during the game between the Mercer Bears and the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Sept. 3, 2022. — Eric Starling/Auburn Daily

Keionte Scott makes a great play to chop down the running back for a loss on first down.

That play brings the third quarter to an end.

We have a Jeffrey M'ba sighting and he was in there on a tackle.

Cam Riley adds to his tackle total and Mercer will punt it back to Auburn.

A running into the kicker penalty will keep the ball with Mercer.

Mercer has moved the ball into Auburn territory.

Cam Riley makes a great stop of the scrambling quarterback.

A gain of 26 gets the Bears in the redzone.

Keionte Scott has looked great in coverage thus far.

A Mercer field goal makes it a 42-10 game.

35-7 Auburn 1:33 3Q (Coming out of the delay)

Auburn Tigers wide receiver Ja'Varrius Johnson (6) makes the reception to set the Tigers up with first and goal during the game between the Mercer Bears and the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Sept. 3, 2022. — Eric Starling/Auburn Daily

Auburn will return from the delay with their offense on the field.

The Tigers will have the ball 1st and 10 on the Bears 38.

Robby Ashford is back out at quarterback for the Tigers.

On the first play after the delay Bigsby breaks a 38 yard touchdown. Auburn leads 42-7.

Interesting note: This is Tank Bigsby's tenth career 100 yard game.

35-7 Auburn 4:47 3Q

Auburn Tigers quarterback Robby Ashford (9) throws the ball during warm ups before Auburn Tigers take on Mercer Bears at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022. — © Jake Crandall / USA TODAY NETWORK

Anders Carlson will kick it away to the Bears.

Donovan Kaufman makes a great play to bring down the defender. He has looked great so far this evening.

Eku Leota makes the stop. Mercer will punt it back to the Tigers.

Robby Ashford is back out there at quarterback.

Koy Moore gets his first touch of the game taking an end around for eight yards.

The game has entered a lighting delay. We will give you updates when we have them.

28-7 Auburn 15:00 3Q

Auburn Tigers wide receiver Shedrick Jackson (11) gains a first down during the game between the Mercer Bears and the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Sept. 3, 2022. — Eric Starling/Auburn Daily

Anders Calrson will kick it away to start the second half.

Pritchett made a great play to break up the pass on 1st and 10.

Yet another tackle from Cam Riley. He has looked great so far in this ball game.

Marcus Harris cuts down the running back. Mercer will have to punt it away.

Damari Alston checks in an and gets his first career carry for three yards.

Finley connects with Shedrick Jackson to pick up the first down.

Bigsby picks up good yardage on his first carry of the second half.

Bigsby looked to be stopped but broke free for a huge gain.

Finley is picked for the second time this game.

Derick Hall makes the play on 3rd and 2 and picks up his first sack of the season.

Mercer punts it back to the Tigers.

Robby Ashford starts the drive at quarterback for Auburn.

Robby Ashford connects with Tar'Varish Dawson to pick up the first down.

Ashford drops a dart to Ja'Varrius Johnson for a 56 yard gain.

Jarquez Hunter pounds it in to pad Auburn's lead. Auburn leads 35-7. That is Hunter's third of the night.

Halftime Stats

Auburn Tigers tight end John Samuel Shenker (25) celebrates his touchdown reception as Auburn Tigers take on Mercer Bears at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022. — © Jake Crandall / USA TODAY NETWORK

TJ Finley 8-11 110 Yards 1 TD 1 INT

Tank Bigsby 12 carries 68 yards 1 TD

Jarquez Hunter 4 carries 21 yards 2 TD

Robby Ashford 5 carries 66 yards

Ja'Varrius Johnson 3 receptions 61 yards

Shedrick Jackson 3 receptions 35 yards

John Samuel Shenker 1 reception 2 yards 1 TD

28-7 Auburn 0:20 2Q

Jarquez Hunter is back deep to receive the kick.

A Bigsby run will end the first Half Auburn leads 28-7.

28-0 Auburn 5:04 2Q

Auburn Tigers running back Tank Bigsby (4) dives over the middle during the game between the Mercer Bears and the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Sept. 3, 2022. — Eric Starling/Auburn Daily

Wesley Steiner makes a huge hit to stop the running back on first down.

The Mercer quarterback dropped the snap and Cam Riley touched him down.

Mercer will punt it back to Auburn.

A holding by Austin Troxell brings back a huge run from Bigsby.

Omari Kelly was just in the game which is not something many expected.

A TJ Finley interception gives the Bears good field position.

A first down reception gives the Bears the ball on Auburn's 15 yard line.

Two straight false starts move the Bears back. It's 1st and 20.

A pass was caught by the Mercer wideout and the ref ruled him out of bounds. They might take a look at this.

A pass is caught by the Bear wideout. It will leave them with 4th and 1.

After review the wideout reached the yard to gain. The Bears will have first and goal from the five.

Zion Puckett had great coverage to keep the Bears out of the endzone.

A Bear touchdown makes it a 28-7 game.

21-0 Auburn 10:17 2Q

Auburn Tigers running back Jarquez Hunter (27) carries the ball into the endzone from 19 yards out for the first Auburn score during the game between the Mercer Bears and the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Sept. 3, 2022. — Eric Starling/Auburn Daily

Anders Carlson will once again kick it away to the Bears.

Zion Puckett breaks up a pass on second down.

Cam Riley makes the stop on third down and the Tigers will get the ball back.

A big return from Keionte Scott sets the Tigers up with great field position.

A end around to Ja'Varrius Johnson picks up nine yards on first down and TJ Finley was the lead blocker.

Finley to Ashford to Bigsby picks up 21 yards and the Tigers are back in the red zone.

Bigsby picks up the first down on 4th and 1.

Bigsby runs it in for his first touchdown of the year. Auburn leads 28-0.

TANK OVER THE TOP FOR SIX#WarEagle🦅 | @tank_bigsby pic.twitter.com/kfGr93c2Ry
— Auburn Football (@AuburnFootball) September 4, 2022

14-0 Auburn 3:43 1Q

Auburn Tigers quarterback T.J. Finley (1) throws the ball during warm ups before Auburn Tigers take on Mercer Bears at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022. — © Jake Crandall / USA TODAY NETWORK

Anders Carlson will kick it away with a 14 point lead.

Donovan Kaufman breaks up the pass on third down and the Tigers will get it back.

A few Bigsby runs have the Tigers into Mercer territory.

Finley is taken down and the Tigers will have to punt.

That will end the first quarter.

Oscar Chapman punts it to the 11 yard line. Mercer will have to go a long way to score.

Cam Riley makes a great play to hold the running back to a short game.

Eku Leota gets his first sack of the year and it's a huge loss for the Bears.

Cam Riley makes a stop on third down and the Bears will punt it back to Auburn.

A good return from Ja'Varrius Johnson sets the Tigers up in excellent field position.

On 1st and 10 Finley completes to Jackson for a 19 yard pick up.

Another run from Robby Ashford puts the Tigers on the three yard line. Ashford has three carries for 67 yards.

Jarquez Hunter runs it in from two yards out for his second touchdown of the game. Auburn leads 21-0.

TOUCHDOWN part ✌️ for @jarquezhunter!!#WarEagle🦅 pic.twitter.com/RrAYm7BU4r
— Auburn Football (@AuburnFootball) September 3, 2022

7-0 Auburn 9:32 1Q

The crowds have arrived for the first Tiger Walk of the season before the game between the Mercer Bears and the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Sept. 3, 2022. — Eric Starling/Auburn Daily

Anders Carlson is set to kick it away to the Mercer Bears

Nehemiah Pritchett makes a good open field tackle after the seven yard gain.

A Colby Wooden and others stacked up the running back for a small gain on first and ten.

A holding call makes it 2nd and 19 for the Bears.

A tackle from Cam Riley makes it fourth down.

The Bears will punt it to Johnson.

Auburn will start their second drive from their own five yard line.

Robby Ashford runs it for 49 yards on the first play of the drive. WOW he is fast.

holy @robby_ashford 💨💨💨 pic.twitter.com/UsNhzf3XiG
— Auburn Football (@AuburnFootball) September 3, 2022

A 39 yards pass from Finley to Johnson puts the Tigers at the two yard line.

A two yard pass from Finley to John Samuel Shenker gives the Tigers a 14-0 lead.

That is Shenker's first touchdown since 2019.

0-0 15:00 1Q

Aubie leads the team out for the first Tiger Walk of the season prior to the game between the Mercer Bears and the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Sept. 3, 2022. — Eric Starling/Auburn Daily

Auburn will get the football first. Time to see what this offense is made of. Jarquez Hunter is back deep to return.

On the first play of the game Tank Bigsby picks up eight yards.

Ja'Varrius Johnson picks up the first down on an end around.

Robby Ashford gets in the game and runs it for eight yards.

On 3rd and 2 Bigsby get's the first down.

TJ Finley rolls out and drops a dime to Johnson for a good gain.

3rd and 5 and Finley gets the ball to Shedrick Jackson to pick it up.

Jarquez Hunter runs it in from 19 yards out to give Auburn the 7-0 lead.

Didn't take too long for @jarquezhunter to find the end zone 💪#WarEagle🦅 pic.twitter.com/1JOQB4LbLL
— Auburn Football (@AuburnFootball) September 3, 2022

Interesting note: While Tar'Varish Dawson was listed at the starter at the H WR position we saw a lot more of Ja'Varrius Johnson on that drive.