Nick Ruffin penalized for targeting, ejected

AUBURN -- Freshman defensive back Nick Ruffin was called for targeting and ejected with 4:55 to go in the second quarter.

Ruffin, a 6-foot 174 pound safety, delivered a devastating blow to a defenseless Trey Quinn, who could not reign in a pass from Brandon Harris on third-and-five from the LSU 25-yard line.

After the ball fell incomplete off the right hand of the 6-foot 194 pound Quinn, Ruffin lowered a shoulder-first hit high on Quinn's chest.

The play was reviewed, and confirmed, and Ruffin was ejected.

"It was a boom‑boom play," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said, adding he saw it on the stadium Jumbotron.

It was the first time an Auburn player was called for targeting this season and second overall.