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Auburn steps out of conference play to host Arkansas State

Oct 31, 2006 - 9:43 PM Arkansas St (5-3) at No. 6 Auburn (8-1), 2:30 pm EST

AUBURN, Alabama (Ticker) - Sixth-ranked Auburn plays its final non-conference game of the season Saturday when it hosts Arkansas State.

The Tigers, who already have posted comfortable non-conference wins over Washington State, Buffalo and Tulane, struggled last weekend before downing Southeastern Conference rival Mississippi on the road, 23-17.

John Vaughn gave the Tigers (8-1) the lead for good, 20-17, on a 20-yard field goal with 7:35 to play, and he capped the scoring with a 29-yard field goal with 35 seconds left.

Kenny Irons had several key runs on the final drive and finished with 106 yards on 23 carries for the Tigers, who improved to 5-1 in the SEC.

Auburn, which is meeting Arkansas State for the first time, is 11-0 all-time against Sun Belt Conference opponents.

The Indians (5-3) slipped to 3-1 in the Sun Belt after getting blanked by host Florida Atlantic last week, 29-0.

Corey Leonard and Travis Hewitt combined to throw five interceptions for Arkansas State, which also lost a fumble and had just 104 yards of total offense.

Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville was the defensive ends and linebackers coach at Arkansas State from 1980-84.