AUBURN AUTHORITY

Jonathan Jones provides takeaways, costly penalty

James Crepea
Montgomery Advertiser
Auburn defensive back Jonathan Jones looks at the scoreboard during Saturday's game at Mississippi State.

STARKVILLE, Miss. – Jonathan Jones did what he could to get Auburn back in the game against Mississippi State, but he also committed the penalty that helped seal the Tigers' losing fate on Saturday.

The junior cornerback had two interceptions, both coming in the second quarter, but he was also called for pass interference on a critical fourth-and-eight from the Auburn 26-yard line early in the fourth quarter, which allowed Mississippi State to widen its lead in Saturday's 38-23 Bulldogs win over the Tigers.

Jones intercepted Dak Prescott at the MSU 48-yard line early in the second quarter. Eight plays later, Daniel Carlson kicked a 21-yard field goal, his first of three, to make it 21-3.

On the ensuing drive, Prescott led Mississippi State inside the Auburn red zone and again Jones delivered, making his second interception of the game inside the end zone. It was Jones' third interception of the season.

Auburn defensive back Jonathan Jones intercepts a Dak Prescott pass in the end zone

Auburn (5-1, 2-1 SEC) could not capitalize on the ensuing drive, but another MSU turnover, this time a fumbled punt return, did lead to another Tigers field goal.

But when the Tigers needed to make a play to get off the field and regain possession with a chance to tie, Jones, who had five tackles, was too aggressive.

Without a proven field goal kicker, Mississippi State went for it on fourth-and-eight from Auburn's 26-yard line. Prescott threw down the left sideline for De'Runnya Wilson and Jones was called for pass interference.

"It was a big play," Jones said. "I looked back and batted the ball down and he called pass interference."

MSU added a field goal to make it 31-20 with 11:33 to play and blew the game open after Ricardo Louis fumbled on the ensuing kickoff return.