LSU's defense delivered a first-quarter safety and shut out Auburn in the second half to give the second-ranked Tigers a 12-10 victory Saturday night.

Auburn led 10-9 at halftime but managed only 183 yards.

A fumbled punt return by Auburn's Quan Bray set up Drew Alleman's 30-yard field goal late in the third quarter that gave LSU (4-0, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) a 12-10 lead. Alleman missed a 34-yarder with 39 seconds remaining.

Auburn (1-3, 0-2 SEC) managed only one first down on its final possession. Kiehl Frazier's final pass was intercepted by Tharold Simon as the game ended.

LSU's Zach Mettenberger had two first-half fumbles but threw a 33-yard pass to running back Spencer Ware on a key third-down late in the game.

Sam Montgomery tackled Tre Mason in the end zone midway through the first quarter and Michael Ford's 1-yard TD run four minutes later made it 9-0 LSU.

Onterrio McCalebb scored Auburn's touchdown on 4-yard run on the last play of the first quarter to make it 9-7 and from there it was nothing but field goals and defense.