Auburn comeback scuttled by two late fumbles

AUBURN, Ala. -- Freshman Kyle Allen threw four touchdown passes in the first half and Texas A&M recovered two late fumbles in a 41-38 upset victory over No. 3 Auburn yesterday that likely ended the Tigers' playoff hopes.

The Tigers (7-2, 4-2 SEC) twice appeared to be driving toward a go-ahead touchdown before coughing it up on plays that never really got going. First, Julien Obioha won a scramble for the ball at the 2 after Nick Marshall and Cameron Artis-Payne got tangled up in the backfield.

The Aggies (7-3, 3-3) couldn't get away from their goal line before punting, and Trey Williams just managed to get out of the end zone to avoid a safety on third down.

Then the Tigers drove inside the 30 for one more shot. Marshall was still calling a play when center Reese Dismukes snapped it on first down from the 28. Alonzo Williams recovered with 54 seconds left.

The defending SEC champion and national runner-up Tigers saw both their title hopes and the nation's longest home winning streak (14 games) end.

Allen capped Texas A&M's first two drives with long touchdown passes, 60 yards to Malcome Kennedy and 36 to Josh Reynolds for a 14-0 lead. Kennedy had 118 yards receiving and Reynolds also caught a 7-yard TD pass in the second quarter.

Myles Garrett blocked a field goal and Deshazor Everett returned it 65 yards down the Auburn sideline for a touchdown on the final play of the first half, a rapid-fire 10-point turnaround. Auburn spent the rest of the game trying to peck away at that 35-17 deficit.

Cameron Artis-Payne did most of Auburn's heavy work with 30 carries for 221 yards and two touchdowns. Marshall completed 15 of 21 passes for 219 yards and a touchdown and ran 18 times for 67 yards.