Memphis safety Reggis Ball steals football in postgame altercation with Auburn

Paxton Lynch was 16 of 37 for 108 yards for Memphis (9-4).

This mismatch, though, came with a twist.

The Auburn Tigers defeated the Memphis Tigers 31-10 Wednesday in the 10th Birmingham Bowl at historic Legion Field.

Auburn finishes their season with a 7-6 record, avoiding their first losing season in Gus Malzahn’s tenure.

After successfully snatching the football, Ball runs away and witnesses have reported he flipped opposition players the bird as he ran into the locker room.

TOP KICKERS: If this game comes down to the kickers, both teams are in good shape.

“That was great overall defense”, Malzahn said. Keep in mind that although Memphis is a passing team first, it still averaged 186 yards per game.

According to a report, the Auburn team manager had not filed a complaint to the police. After hitting on three of his first four passes, he threw two interceptions before halftime, one of which was taken back for a Memphis touchdown. “Their offense was better than our offense today”.

Jeremy Johnson. He didn’t do much, but he got it done.

Auburn, starting Sean White at quarterback, stalled on their first drive, but ran a fake punt on third down that burned Memphis and put Auburn in the red zone.

Ball registered five total tackles and two interceptions in the game.

The Tigers broke open a close game with three second half touchdowns, including Johnson’s 11-yard touchdown pass to Jason Smith. This attempt was blocked by Auburn, leaving the score at 10-3. I’m very proud of him. It gives us momentum for the future.

“This game is special because it’s personal”, Robinson said. There are 12 different players that have caught a touchdown from Lynch, so you know that when he is seeing pressure or different looks from defenses, he’s able to exploit whatever he wants. “It’s a rivalry for me”.

Memphis had one last chance to add to their tally, but they were turned away by Auburn late in the fourth quarter. Ball is seen on the ground with an equipment staff employee.

NOTES: Memphis and Auburn met only twice in football before Wednesday’s game.

The Tigers from Tennessee were held to just 10 points, 206 yards of offense, and three yards per offensive play…a season-low in all categories for Memphis. Ball returned the interception to the house for a pick six to tie the game at 10. Auburn outgained Memphis, 197-91, in the first half but the turnovers stunted its success.

Memphis’s athletic director Tom Bowen apologized to Auburn and the fans for what he called “totally unacceptable” behavior from Ball.