Auburn Takes It Easy, Runs Its Streak to 15 : Nonconference: Tigers roll over Division I-AA East Tennessee State, 38-0.

East Tennessee State’s Brian Edwards motioned to the crowd to bring on the noise. The arm-waving and hand-clapping summoned loud cheers from the Auburn crowd, but they lasted only about two plays. Crowds don’t make much of a fuss in 38-0 wipeouts.

Unlike last week, when 10th-ranked Auburn (4-0) needed a furious defensive rally in the fourth quarter to defeat Louisiana State, the Tigers cruised Saturday in extending the nation’s longest Division I winning streak to 15 games.

Auburn Coach Terry Bowden thought it was a great idea to play a I-AA team before a Thursday night game against Southeastern Conference opponent Kentucky. His counterpart, Buccaneer Coach Mike Cavan, wasn’t so sure.

“I’m just looking forward to getting ready for the Southern Conference,” said Cavan, a former Georgia assistant. “I’ve seen about enough of the SEC to last me the rest of the year, and hopefully the next couple of years.”

Auburn’s attack was led by Stephen Davis, who rebounded from a subpar game against LSU to rush for 120 yards and two touchdowns. Frank Sanders caught a career-high eight passes in the first half.

Bowden insisted that playing a team from a weaker class was useful.

“People get upset when we play a team like that,” he said. “But we played hard, and there were no letdowns, no taking it easy. We won the game, and you never get hurt by it when you win the game.”

Edwards’ invitation for the crowd of 76,341 to get into the game set the tone for a spirited effort by East Tennessee State.

“We didn’t come in thinking we couldn’t win,” Cavan said. “But I think we were realistic about it.”