Auburn football loses fifth straight to end Bryan Harsin's first season

Auburn football loses fifth straight to end Bryan Harsin's first season in Birmingham Bowl vs. Houston

BIRMINGHAM — Auburn's Birmingham Bowl appearance was a chance to win in front of a pseudo-home crowd and end a four-game losing streak, bringing momentum into the offseason.

Instead, 2021 ends in more bitter defeat.

Auburn rallied from down 10 points but lost 17-13 on a late touchdown against No. 21 Houston on Tuesday. Bryan Harsin's first season as Auburn coach ends 6-7 after the Tigers were ranked in the top 15. It's the program's first losing season since 2012.

Harsin's play-calling had personnel in mind, until the end

With Harsin calling plays for the first time, Auburn was hesitant to run between the tackles — a product of the depleted offensive line, which had a backup center and right tackle. On a red-zone third-and-2 in the first half, running back Tank Bigsby was stuffed up the middle. A third-and-1 quarterback sneak in the third quarter went nowhere. Harsin adjusted and called more plays to the outside.



He still wanted to find ways to get the ball to Bigsby, his best play-maker, after just eight carries for the running back in the first half. The sophomore was used as a receiver more than ever (five catches, 68 yards). 

On a tone-setting third down in the second half with Auburn trailing 10-3, a smart screen pass gave Bigsby open space to run 51 yards. He had another reception for 12 the next play. His outside zone carries increased. It forced Houston's defense to spread and create more holes up the middle. 

Harsin seemed mindful of Auburn's strengths and weaknesses in his play-calling, until the game's final moments. Auburn trailed 17-13 with a third-and-2. It was the Tigers' last chance. They threw incomplete twice. No touch for Bigsby.

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Auburn's secondary depth tested

All-America senior cornerback Roger McCreary opted out of the bowl game. Senior Smoke Monday was ejected for targeting in the third quarter, ending his Auburn career. Jaylin Simpson and Nehemiah Pritchett, the future of the cornerback position, were left to fend off Houston star receiver Nathaniel Dell until Simpson was also ejected for targeting in the fourth quarter.