JaTarvious Whitlow ran for two touchdowns and No. 15 Auburn thoroughly dominated visiting Football Championship Subdivision opponent Samford 52-0 on rainy Saturday afternoon.

Bo Nix was 15 of 23 for 150 yards and one touchdown in little more than one half for the Tigers (8-3), who will return to Jordan-Hare Stadium next Saturday to play rival Alabama in the Iron Bowl.

Auburn outgained Samford 544-114 and outrushed the Bulldogs 293-51.

The Tigers scored 24 second-quarter points to take control of the game and lead 31-0 at halftime. Auburn improved to 28-0-1 all-time against Samford, which finished the season with a 5-7 record. The Bulldogs had three turnovers in the first half.

Auburn backup quarterback Cord Sandberg, a 24-year-old redshirt freshman who played six seasons in the Philadelphia Phillies minor league system, threw his first two career TD passes -- both to Zach Farrar -- in the fourth quarter.

Liam Welch finished 12 of 23 for 66 yards and two interceptions for the Bulldogs of the Southern Conference.

The lead grew to 38-0 when D.J. Williams (eight carries, 42 yards) ran 2 yards for a TD at 12:35 of the third quarter.

Auburn held a 7-0 lead after the first quarter as Whitlow ran 1 yard for a touchdown at 8:13. The drive began at the Tigers' 49-yard line after Christian Tutt recovered Welch's fumble and returned it 8 yards.

Shaun Shivers' 4-yard scoring run with 7:14 to go in the second quarter gave Auburn a 28-0 lead. It was set up by Chris Oladokun's fumble that defensive back Roger McCreary returned to the Bulldogs' 19.

Anders Carlson kicked a 29-yard field goal 1:16 before halftime.

Auburn defensive back Jamien Sherwood was ejected after receiving a targeting penalty early in the third quarter. He will be forced to sit for the first half next week against the Crimson Tide.

A halftime ceremony honored Nova, Auburn's War Eagle VII, who was the team mascot between 2004-17. He hadn't flown at a game since being diagnosed with cardiomyopathy in 2017. The new mascot is a golden eagle named Aurea, now known as War Eagle VIII.

--Field Level Media