Next Game: Alabama State 9/8/2018 | 6:30 PM SEC Network Alternate

GAME NOTES

Captains: Deshaun Davis , Ryan Davis , Jarrett Stidham

Captains: , , Coin Toss: Auburn wins the toss and defers. Washington will receive.

TEAM NOTES

First-time starters for Auburn: Jack Driscoll , Noah Igbinoghene , Kaleb Kim

First-time starters for Auburn: , , Auburn scored first for the 17th time in the last 19 games

Auburn scored first for the 17th time in the last 19 games Auburn is now 97-27-2 all-time in season openers

Auburn is now 97-27-2 all-time in season openers The Tigers go to 49-48-8 all-time in games played in Atlanta

The Tigers go to 49-48-8 all-time in games played in Atlanta Auburn's 12 penalties are the most by the Tigers since the 2014 Ole Miss game (13); in records back through 1996, the most recorded was 15 penalties vs. Florida in 2002

INDIVIDUAL NOTES/OFFENSE

Sal Cannella's first-quarter touchdown catch was the first of his Auburn career. It was Jarrett Stidham's 19th career touchdown pass at Auburn.

first-quarter touchdown catch was the first of his Auburn career. It was 19th career touchdown pass at Auburn. Redshirt freshman JaTarvious Whitlow recorded his first career touchdown, a 10-yard rush in the fourth quarter

Redshirt freshman recorded his first career touchdown, a 10-yard rush in the fourth quarter True freshman Seth Williams recorded the first receptions of his Auburn career

True freshman recorded the first receptions of his Auburn career Redshirt freshman John Samuel Shenker recorded his first career reception

Redshirt freshman recorded his first career reception Kam Martin had a career high five receptions for the game

had a career high five receptions for the game With seven receptions today, Ryan Davis has 116 for his career, good for seventh on the Auburn career receptions list. He passes Rodgerquis Smith (114 from 2004-08) and Darvin Adams (115 from 2008-10)

With seven receptions today, has 116 for his career, good for seventh on the Auburn career receptions list. He passes Rodgerquis Smith (114 from 2004-08) and Darvin Adams (115 from 2008-10) Chandler Cox records a career best four receptions for 52 yards

INDIVIDUAL NOTES/DEFENSE

Jamel Dean recorded his first career interception in the first quarter

recorded his first career interception in the first quarter Nick Coe records his first forced fumble and Darrell Williams records his third career fumble recovery; Williams' last fumble recovery came against Georgia last season

records his first forced fumble and records his third career fumble recovery; Williams' last fumble recovery came against Georgia last season Daniel Thomas recorded a career-best eight tackles; he tied for the team lead in tackles for the second time in his career

recorded a career-best eight tackles; he tied for the team lead in tackles for the second time in his career Darrell Williams tied for the lead in team tackles (8) for the fourth time in his career

INDIVIDUAL NOTES/SPECIAL TEAMS

Anders Carlson connects on his first career field goal attempt, from 32 yards, and goes 3-5 for the game, with a long field goal of 53 yards.

connects on his first career field goal attempt, from 32 yards, and goes 3-5 for the game, with a long field goal of 53 yards. Arryn Siposs made his first career appearance at punter; his long kick was 47 yards

Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @jeff_shearer

In a victory that will provide a season-long strength of schedule resume boost, No. 9 Auburn defeated No. 6 Washington 21-16 Saturday in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.10-yard touchdown run on third-and-7 gave Auburn a 5-point lead with 6:15 remaining, capping a 10-play, 76-yard drive."We are real pleased," Auburn coachsaid. "We beat one of the better teams in the country. We faced some major adversity. Our team found a way to win."completed 26 of 36 passes for 273 yards and a touchdown.rushed for 80 yards on 22 carries.had seven receptions for 52 yards."This team, the chemistry is unreal, in my opinion," Stidham said. "We're all so close. We just want to win for each other and we want to win for these coaches."As it had done throughout the second half, Auburn's defense came up big time after time, including the Huskies' final possession.On third-and-13 from the Auburn 40,sacked Washington quarterback Jake Browning. The Tigers again harassed Browning on fourth down, forcing an incompletion.Auburn ran out the clock, celebrating a top 10 victory and posing with the old leather helmet trophy."I'm just proud of our team. The way that we won," Malzahn said. ""Sometimes it's how you win a game that can help you later in the season."With Auburn leading 15-13 in the third quarter,forced a fumble on Browning's option pitch on third-and-goal at the 3.recovered, preserving the lead."We did a pretty good job stopping them in the red zone," Williams said. "I feel like we did a good job. We've just got to continue to get better."Auburn's defense again kept the Huskies out of the end zone, thanks a tackle for loss by, and a Williams pass deflection.The Huskies took a 16-15 lead when Peyton Henry's 30-yard field goal deflected inside the uprights.Auburn's offense delivered when it mattered most, with Stidham leading the Tigers on the game-winning drive, hittingfor 21 yards to Washington's 25. Four rushing plays took the ball to the 10, where Whitlow powered in for the go-ahead score.The Tigers led 15-13 at the half.After Auburn's defense forced a three-and-out on the opening possession,32-yard punt return set up the Tigers at Washington's 36-yard line.On third-and-7 from the Huskies' 10, Stidham hit a leapingin the end zone for Canella's first career touchdown and a 6-0 lead with 11:45 remaining in the first quarter."I had all the confidence in the world," Cannella said. "Ever since I've been here, that's been my play. I was just happy to get it done. I have a basketball background. I can get up. I always tell him, 'When in doubt, just put in up there. I'm going to go get it.'"Auburn soon added to its lead when pressure fromforced an errant Browning throw, whichintercepted.Stidham completed third-and-longs tofor 18 yards andfor 24, leading to32-yard field goal and a 9-0 Auburn lead with 5:39 left in the first quarter.After a Huskies field goal,19-yard run on fourth-and-one led to Carlson's 28-yard field goal, putting Auburn up 12-3 at the 10:35 mark in the second quarter.The Huskies answered with a field goal, thenfirst career rush on third-and-3 picked up 6 yards, positioning Carlson for a 53-yarder and a 15-6 Auburn lead with 1:23 in the half.Washington drove 75 yards in 40 seconds, with Browning completing four consecutive passes, including a 13-yard touchdown to Quinten Pounds with 43 seconds left in the half.Williams andled Auburn with eight tackles each.The Tigers (1-0) play their home opener next Saturday against Alabama State at 6:30 p.m. CT.