Julie Bennett

Auburn running back Kerryon Johnson (21) battles past Missouri defensive back Logan Cheadle (28) for a touchdown Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, during the first half at Faurot Field in Columbia, Mo. (Julie Bennett/jbennett@al.com)

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Missouri's porous defense was just the remedy Auburn's ailing offense needed. After struggling through the first three weeks of the season, Auburn lit up Missouri in a lopsided 51-14 affair Saturday night at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Mo. Kerryon Johnson led the way, scoring four of his five touchdowns in the first half as Auburn cruised to an easy win in its SEC opener to improve to 3-1 on the season.

By Tom Green | tgreen@al.com

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Julie Bennett

Kerryon Johnson's return

Auburn running back Kerryon Johnson (21) plows through Missouri defense Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, during the first half at Faurot Field in Columbia, Mo. (Julie Bennett/jbennett@al.com)

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After missing the last two-plus games with a hamstring injury, Kerryon Johnson returned with a vengeance for Auburn's SEC opener on Saturday. The junior running back started against Missouri and accounted for a career-high five total touchdowns, including four in the first half as Auburn jumped out to a 31-7 halftime lead. He finished with 18 carries for 48 yards in his first action since the season opener against Georgia Southern.

Three of Johnson's four first-half scores came from the Wildcat formation. His performance was timely for Auburn, with running back Kamryn Pettway held out of the game with a heavily taped left ankle.

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Julie Bennett

Group effort at running back

Missouri safety Cam Hilton (7) stops a huge run by Auburn running back Kam Martin (9) Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, during the first half at Faurot Field in Columbia, Mo. (Julie Bennett/jbennett@al.com)

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With Pettway held out against Missouri, Auburn went back to a group effort in the backfield. While Kerryon Johnson got the bulk of the work in his return, Auburn also saw Kam Martin and Devan Barrett get carries at running back. It marked the first time since the season opener against Georgia Southern that a non-starting running back received a carry.

Martin, getting his first real work since a 136-yard effort in the opener, finished with nine carries for 74 yards, including a long of 47 yards. Barrett had one carry for no gain, while Malik Miller also saw his first action since the opener against Georgia Southern.

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Julie Bennett

Auburn dials up the deep balls

Auburn wide receiver Kyle Davis (11) hauls in a pass defended by Missouri defensive back Logan Cheadle (28) Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, during the first half at Faurot Field in Columbia, Mo. (Julie Bennett/jbennett@al.com)

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Auburn didn't hesitate to stretch the field against one of the nation's worst pass defenses. On Auburn's first offensive snap, Chip Lindsey dialed up a deep pass and Jarrett Stidham found Kyle Davis for 58 yards downfield. It was the longest pass play of the season for Auburn.

In the second quarter, Stidham found Will Hastings deep downfield for a 46-yarder that set up Kerryon Johnson's third touchdown of the night. Then in the third quarter, Stidham connected with Nate Craig-Myers for a 57-yard touchdown pass that gave Auburn a 45-7 lead with 9:21 to go in the period. Stidham finished an efficient 13-for-17 for 218 yards and a touchdown.

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Julie Bennett

Mizzou's receivers on lockdown

Auburn defensive back Daniel Thomas (24) and Auburn defensive back Jeremiah Dinson (20) defend a complete pass to Missouri tight end Jason Reese (10) Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, during the first half at Faurot Field in Columbia, Mo. (Julie Bennett/jbennett@al.com)

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Auburn's secondary all but negated Missouri's receivers on Saturday night. The unit limited J'Mon Moore to one reception for 10 yards while the game was within reach, though he caught a 25-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter with the game out of reach. Meanwhile Johnathon Johnson led Missouri with 10 receptions for 85 yards. Moreover, Auburn's secondary accomplished that without starting cornerback Javaris Davis, who was held out with an undisclosed injury.

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Auburn makes most of takeaways

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A week removed from having a minus-five turnover margin -- with five turnovers and no takeaways -- Auburn's defense did its part to shift that balance against Missouri. Auburn forced two first-half turnovers that resulted in 14 points on the board as the team jumped on Missouri early and didn't let up.

Carlton Davis intercepted a Drew Lock pass in the first quarter on a ball that was tipped twice before Davis corralled it. It was the first interception for Davis since the Texas A&M game during his freshman season in 2015, and it led to Kerryon Johnson's second touchdown of the night to make it 14-0.

Auburn then benefited from a questionable call by the officials when Jeff Holland sacked Lock in the second quarter. It appeared as though Lock was throwing the ball forward, but it was ruled a fumble, and after a brief pause on the field Marlon Davidson scooped it up and returned it to the Missouri 20-yard line. The call stood following official review. That set up another touchdown by Johnson.

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Key player: Kerryon Johnson

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In his return from a hamstring injury, Johnson rushed for a career-high five touchdowns. He tied for most rushing touchdown in a game in the FBS this season, joining ULM's Caleb Evans and Georgia Tech's TaQuon Marshall.

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Key play: Johnson's 4th score puts game away

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Kerryon Johnson's fourth touchdown of the first half put the game out of reach early. Johnson's touchdown, which came on 7-yard Wildcat run, gave Auburn a 28-0 lead midway through the quarter. It was an early nail in Missouri's coffin.

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