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Auburn exits SEC play to face Buffalo

Sep 19, 2006 - 8:44 PM Buffalo (1-2) at No. 2 Auburn (3-0), 2:30 pm EDT

AUBURN, Alabama (Ticker) - Auburn should find points significantly easier to come by this week.

The second-ranked Tigers host lowly Buffalo on Saturday in a non-conference matchup.

Last week, Auburn (3-0) took early control of the Southeastern Conference West Division with a critical 7-3 victory over then-No. 6 Louisiana State.

Quarterback Brandon Cox's one-yard plunge in the third quarter proved to be the only touchdown in the battle of Tigers, which ended when Auburn's Eric Brock tackled LSU's Craig Davis near the 5 with no time left.

Auburn has not allowed a touchdown since the third quarter of its season opener against Washington State - a span of nine straight periods - and ranks fourth nationally in scoring defense, yielding 5.7 points per game.

The Tigers will be without star running back Kenny Irons, who suffered a sprained foot and toe against LSU. Brad Lester will start in his place.

Buffalo (1-2) won its season opener against woeful Temple at home but subsequently lost road games to Mid-American Conference foes Bowling Green and Northern Illinois.

In last week's 31-13 setback to the Huskies, the Bulls surrendered 500 yards and were outgained on the ground, 344-99, as Northern Illinois' Garrett Wolfe rushed for 263 yards.

The teams will be meeting for the first time. Auburn is 5-0 all-time against MAC teams, winning by an average score of 40-6.