2011 Chick-fil-A Bowl: Auburn Fries Up Hoos For New Year's, 43-24

Can Auburn Take 2012 Recruiting Class From Good To Great?

The Auburn Tigers have a decent recruiting class with a chance to make a huge move in the rankings.

Virginia Vs. Auburn Recap, Chick-fil-A Bowl 2011: The Numerical

The stats that mattered in Auburn's 43-24 win over Virginia in last night's Chick-fil-A Bowl, from the Tigers' surge, to multiple quarterbacks, to the Onterio McCalebb-Perry Jones duel.

Auburn Vs. Virginia Final Score, Chick-fil-A Bowl 2011: Gus Malzahn Era Ends With Confetti

Gus Malzahn has coached his last game as offensive coordinator of the Auburn Tigers, a 43-24 Chick-fil-A Bowl win over the Virginia Cavaliers. If this bowl was a showcase for what the Arkansas St. Red Wolves are going to run in 2012, you might want to tune in to a little bit more Sun Belt football than usual next year.

Click here for your up-to-the-minute Chick-fil-A Bowl stats and score.

It felt like watching an offense unleashed. Even minus suspended All-SEC back Michael Dyer, who'd run for more yards on the season than even any Auburn quarterback had passed for, the Tigers put up 454 yards with three quarterbacks pitching in, all led by Onterio McCalebb's 162 yards from scrimmage.

The future's still bright for UVa's Mike London, who has a new contract extension and a future star in sophomore quarterback Michael Rocco. That interception in the box score was caused by a deflection, but those 307 yards came honest.

College football's 2011, perhaps the hardest year in the sport's modern history, is now officially over. Doesn't feel bad to say that.

For more on this game, visit Virginia blog Streaking the Lawn and Auburn blog Track ''Em Tigers, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

Chick-fil-A Bowl 2011 Score Update: Tre Mason, Kevin Parks Continue Scoreboard Assault

The second half of the 2011 Chick-fil-A Bowl has gone as expected: the Auburn Tigers raced down the field via plays Gus Malzahn's been sitting on for years, and the Virginia Cavaliers dinked-and-dunked their way through the Georgia Dome. Either way works. Tre Mason's 22-yard jaunt put AU up big, but Kevin Parks' goal line tumble made it 35-24.

Click here for your up-to-the-minute Chick-fil-A Bowl stats and score.

It's been fun watching Auburn's zaniness infect Virginia as the game's gone one. UVa has tried multiple end-around-themed plays and a fake field goal as Auburn's gone further and further into Arkansas high school football history. Up next, the Tigers send in their fourth-string quarterback to run the A-11, to which Virginia responds with an especially convincing play action pass.

Also, the Hoos' band is pretty awesome.

For more on this game, visit Virginia blog Streaking the Lawn and Auburn blog Track ''Em Tigers, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

Auburn Vs. Virginia Halftime Score: Gus Malzahn Ordering From Entire Menu

This Auburn Tigers offense, which took about a quarter to get going, exploded in the second quarter. Three Tigers touchdowns in 10 minutes had the Virginia Cavaliers looking up at a 28-14 deficit even though they'd looked to be the better team for most of the first half.

The Hoos countered with a 54-second, 63-yard sprint down the field to make it 28-17, and we've got a little shootout going in Atlanta.

Click here for your up-to-the-minute Chick-fil-A Bowl stats and score.

Auburn's doing it with trickery of every flavor, not to mention Onterio McCalebb's speed (149 total yards so far). We've seen play fakes of every sort, a Statue of Liberty, an onside kick and a fake onside kick ... really feel like I'm either being recruited to play special teams for Auburn or wide receiver at Arkansas State, not sure which.

For more on this game, visit Virginia blog Streaking the Lawn and Auburn blog Track ''Em Tigers, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

Auburn Vs. Virginia Score Update: Tigers Storming Atlanta

Now this is what we think of when we think of Auburn Tigers football. A recovered onside kick out of nowhere (their sixth successful onside of the year) and a 50-yard post route bomb from Barrett Trotter to Emory Blake, and the Virginia Cavaliers were on the ropes. They may have had the superior effort on almost every drive of this game so far, but this game has gone mad, and very few teams handle madness better than do the Plainsmen.

Kiehl Frazier scored his second goal line touchdown of the evening, and it's now 21-14, Tigers.

Click here for your up-to-the-minute Chick-fil-A Bowl stats and score.

Coming into this game (and during most of it) many had wondered whether Auburn's offense could do anything at all minus Michael Dyer and with Gus Malzahn spending much of his time prepping for Arkansas State. Well, yep.

For more on this game, visit Virginia blog Streaking the Lawn and Auburn blog Track ''Em Tigers, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

2011 Chick-fil-A Bowl Score Update: Meet Onterio McCalebb, Auburn's Offense

The Virginia Cavaliers capped a 71-yard drive with the second scoring toss of the night from Michael Rocco to Kris Burd, and it was 14-7, UVa. Two straight Plainsmen personal fouls didn't help, but the way Virginia's moving the ball, you get the sense it might not have mattered all that much. Virginia had gained 151 yards to Auburn's 37.

Click here for your up-to-the-minute Chick-fil-A Bowl stats and score.

Earlier, Auburn had a chance to borrow the momentum and calm the spirited Hooville end zone when Chris Davis picked up a Perry Jones fumble in UVA turf, but the resulting field goal sailed astray. Barrett Trotter took the helm for that drive, meaning AU's already displayed their entire quarterback three-deep.

But then! Onterio McCalebb took a busted play that actually should've just been a Virginia offsides penalty 60 yards, giving Auburn their first actual drive of the game (and their longest run of the season). With Kiehl Frazier and Trotter switching in and out, McCalebb scored on a nifty piece of high schoolery, and we're all tied up again.

For more on this game, visit Virginia blog Streaking the Lawn and Auburn blog Track ''Em Tigers, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

Auburn Vs. Virginia Score Update: Blocked Punt Serves Up Kiehl Frazier Touchdown

Feels like only last year the Auburn Tigers were sending their quarterback up the middle for a goal line score in the Georgia Dome. The stakes were higher then. Still, Kiehl Frazier powered through the line to take advantage of a Garrett Harper punt block and an Onterio McCalebb breakaway run, and after a brief review we're all tied up, 7-7.

Click here for your up-to-the-minute Chick-fil-A Bowl stats and score.

Until that drive, this game was all Virginia Cavaliers. The Hoos have still outgained Auburn 108 yards to 32, converting three of their five third downs. Both teams are running the ball well, averaging five yards per carry each, but Michael Rocco has thrown for 71 yards to Clint Moseley's six. Just let Frazier keep bulling up the middle.

For more on this game, visit Virginia blog Streaking the Lawn and Auburn blog Track ''Em Tigers, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

2011 Chick-fil-A Bowl Score Update: Virginia Orders Up Touchdown

The Virginia Cavaliers entered the 2011 Chick-fil-A Bowl with stability, having locked up head coach Mike London to a contract extension and secured their best record in five years. The Auburn Tigers are a team in sudden turmoil, losing offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn and possibly prime offensive weapon Michael Dyer. So far, things are playing out according to the storyline, with Michael Rocco striking Kris Burd deep down the middle to give the Hoos a 7-0 lead.

The Cavs have looked to be the better squad on all three drives so far. On the first, a pair of third-down conversions pushed UVa into Auburn territory, with a wounded punt somehow luring Quan Bray into a return attempt near his own goal line. Clint Moseley was brought down near the goal, then underfired his target on third down. Onward.

Click here for your up-to-the-minute Chick-fil-A Bowl stats and score.

Though the schools' colors are similar and the Dome's red seats just look like more orange shirts, I feel confident in asserting there are many more Auburn fans here than there are Virginia fans. In case you'd like to know that sort of thing.

For more on this game, visit Virginia blog Streaking the Lawn and Auburn blog Track ''Em Tigers, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

Virginia, Auburn Are Going To Confuse You

Auburn Vs. Virginia, Chick-fil-A Bowl 2011: Meeting In The Middle

These two teams moved quickly in different directions in 2011. Do the Hoos have it in them to make a statement win in a bowl that big names typically win?

Chick-Fil-A Bowl 2011, Auburn Vs. Virginia: Time, TV Schedule, Odds And More

The Auburn Tigers are strapped on offense with the loss of Michael Dyer as they prepare to take on the Virginia Cavaliers.

Virginia, Mike London Agree To Raise And Extension

Virginia has given football coach Mike London a two-year contract extension and a raise.

Chick-Fil-A Bowl 2011, Virginia Vs. Auburn: Virginia Looks To Exploit Weakened Auburn Offense

The Auburn Tigers will enter the 2011 Chick-Fil-A Bowl without a big chunk of their offense, as offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn has left to be the head coach of Arkansas State and leading rusher Michael Dyer is suspended for the game. "I'm doing a good juggling act right now," head coach Gene Chizik said. "Time management is something I'm trying to spend a lot of time trying to balance out right now. It's a challenge, but I'm making it work."

Dyer ran for over 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns this season and his absence will be a big hit to an Auburn team that relied on him. Even with Dyer, Auburn had one of the worst offenses in the entire country, averaging just 328.6 yards per game but they were able to put up 24.3 points per game.

While Auburn is entering the bowl game in a disappointing season, the Virginia Cavaliers are coming in looking to pick up their ninth win of the season after competing for the ACC this season. The Cavs are led by quarterback Michael Rocco who will be looking to rebound off his poor performance against the Virginia Tech Hokies. The Cavs also boast one of the best offensive lines in the country, allowing just 15 sacks all season. The last time Virginia was in a bowl game was when they blew a 14-point lead late to fall to Texas Tech in the 2008 Gator Bowl.

For more on the Chick-fil-A Bowl, visit SB Nation Atlanta, Virginia blog Streaking the Lawn and Auburn blog Track Em Tigers.

Michael Dyer Transfer To Arkansas State Not Happening, According To Report

Here we now have a report regarding the Arkansas St. Red Wolves roster that goes against claims made by ASU players. We live in interesting times. Moments after two Red Wolves welcomed Auburn Tigers running back Michael Dyer to Jonesboro, Richard Davenport of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette denied the news:

@ArRecruitingGuy The rumors of Michael Dyer to ASU are false. He plans to meet with Chizik and remain at Auburn.

Dunno, but kinda lean toward the players on this one until we hear otherwise.

Once Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn left Auburn to take the ASU head coaching job, speculation increased that the suspended Dyer could leave town. He's succeeded in Malzahn's scheme on the Plains, and would presumably have a chance to put up impressive numbers in the Sun Belt as well.

For more on the Plainsmen, visit Auburn blog Track Em Tigers. For more college football, stick with SB Nation's college football news hub.

Michael Dyer To Arkansas State Rumors Appear To Have Substance

Michael Dyer hasn't officially transferred from Auburn to Gus Malzahn's Arkansas State, but Red Wolves players are already welcoming him aboard.

Here Comes Mike London, Here Comes Mike London, Right Down Mike London Way

Gene Chizik Releases Statement On Gus Malzahn Leaving Auburn Football

Gus Malzahn's departure from Auburn's offensive coordinator role to take the reins at Arkansas State was sudden, but not one that Auburn coach Gene Chizik isn't respecting. Chizik released a statement on Malzahn on Wednesday:

"I’m very happy for Gus and the opportunity that awaits him at Arkansas State. Gus has always had the strong desire to become a head coach and the chance for him to return to his home state that he is so familiar with, will be very beneficial. He’s meant a tremendous amount to our program the past three years, helping our offense and our program achieve unprecedented heights, winning a BCS National Championship and setting countless offensive records. Gus has experienced success in each stop of his coaching career and I have no doubt that he will have similar results at Arkansas State. We look forward to having Gus stay with us through the bowl game and hope to send him out with a victory."

Auburn faces Virginia in the Chick-fil-A Bowl on New Year's Eve.

For more on Auburn, head to Track 'Em Tigers. For more on the 2011 college football bowl season, visit our dedicated section.

Gus Malzahn To Arkansas State Official, School Confirms

Guz Malzahn moving from Auburn to Arkansas State is now as official as it's going to get prior to Wednesday afternoon's press conference. What started as an odd and unconfirmed rumor has now been confirmed by the school.

Arkansas State posted a note on its Facebook site Tuesday evening saying that they would hold a press conference on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. to announce the new head coach. School officials issued another release on Wednesday morning confirming it was Malzahn they'd be announcing as the team's new head coach.

Malzahn's contract at Arkansas State has been reported at six years for $600,000, likely making him the highest paid coach in the Sun Belt Conference. It'll still be a pay cut for him, according to reports, but SB Nation's own Jason Kirk gave a bit of background on Tuesday night regarding that situation.

For many, the sticking point in all this ... how did Malzahn fall from turning down a $3 million-per-year offer with Vanderbilt to taking a pay cut just to land in Jonesboro, Arkansas, at a school that had never won six games in a year until 2011?

For one, we could be dealing with a man who values things beyond money. There are a few of those. He may also just really like the state. He's 46 years old, and as far as I can tell, has spent just five years of his adult life based outside of Arkansas. He went to high school and college there and coached there until 2006.

Either way, Malzahn is officially the new head coach at Arkansas State and desrves all the praise and recognition that comes with that sort of job.

For more on the Arkansas State coaching job, stick the the 2011 Coaching Carousel Tracker.

Michael Dyer Suspended For Chick-fil-A Bowl, Auburn Confirms

Auburn offense Michael Dyer will miss the team's bowl game.

Michael Dyer Suspended, Will Miss Auburn's Bowl Game, According To Report

Auburn's star sophomore running back has been suspended and will miss the Chick-fil-A Bowl on New Year's Eve.