1938 Orange Bowl

The Tigers won by a score of 6–0, with the game's only points coming in the second quarter on a two-yard touchdown run by Ralph O'Gwynne.

[3] At a meeting of college football coaches, 10 were asked by the Associated Press to pick winners of bowl games.

Michigan State then went on a six-game winning streak to end the regular season, which included victories against Missouri, Kansas, and Temple.

In their remaining four games, Auburn defeated Tennessee 20–7, lost at LSU 9–7, tied 0–0 with Georgia, and won 14–0 over Florida.

[12] On December 10, the SEC dropped its ban, provided that a majority of the conference's membership voted in favor of a team's bowl appearance.

[1] McShannock returned the interception 29 yards downfield, but the Spartans were unable to gain a first down during the subsequent drive.

[14] Late in the quarter, Kelly gained 26 yards on a running play, giving the Tigers a field position advantage.

[10] At the beginning of the second quarter, Meagher pulled Auburn's starters from the game, and inserted the team's backups.

George Kenmore, who had been put into the game at quarterback, fielded the punt from Gene Ciolek and returned it to the Spartans' 36-yard-line.

[10] The Tigers ran a running play for Pelham Sitz; accounts of the game differ on how much yardage he gained, varying from five to nine yards.

The Tigers took a 6–0 lead on the run, and the score remained unchanged when placekicker Garth Thorpe failed to convert an extra point attempt.

The Tigers quickly advanced down the field, and a 17-yard pass completion from Kenmore to Heath placed the ball in the Spartans' red zone.

[10] Aronstam wrote that "The Spartans opened a shoot-the-works offensive in the final quarter, but could not penetrate Auburn's stout line with any degree of consistency.

[14] Auburn gained 13 first downs during the game, 11 more than Michigan State, and had a large advantage in total offense, 278 yards to 65.