Auburn’s first game of the post-Bryan Harsin era didn’t end with a victory, but it provided a sense of optimism around the program under the guidance of interim head coach Cadillac Williams.

Auburn fell to Mississippi State, 39-33, in overtime Saturday in Starkville, Miss. It was a heartbreaking result for the Tigers, who rallied from a 21-point first-half deficit to claim the lead twice in the final minutes of regulation. Ultimately, though, Auburn fell short thanks in large part to some special teams miscues.

Read more Auburn football: Even in defeat, Auburn didn’t blink on “special night” for Cadillac Williams

What Mike Leach said about Mississippi State’s overtime win against Auburn

Rewinding Auburn’s 39-33 loss to Mississippi State

The Tigers’ losing streak now sits at five games, and Williams will have to wait a little longer for his first career win as a head coach. Though Auburn lost yet again, the program showed a renewed sense of resiliency under Williams — a fresh start on a season gone awry. That much was evident after the game, when players spoke glowingly of their interim coach and reshuffled staff and, while expressing disappointment about the result, felt like they still came out on top at Davis Wade Stadium.

While optimism has grown within the locker room, let’s take a look at how those outside of the program viewed Saturdays result for Auburn:

— Goodman: Excruciating theater on a Saturday in the South (AL.com)

— Saturday’s game nearly played out like the teams’ 2021 matchup, but in reverse (The Associated Press)

— Mississippi State avoided disaster by beating an Auburn team playing under an interim coach (247Sports)

— Unhappy Mike Leach does simmered-down Bob Knight impression against Auburn (The Clarion Ledger)

— This year’s Auburn-Mississippi State game was just as dramatic as the 2021 edition (The Clarion Ledger)

— Will Rogers, Bulldogs finally make the plays to turn back Auburn (Daily Journal)

— Mississippi State outlasts Auburn in overtime (Columbus Dispatch)

— Mississippi State blows lead, rallies for wild win to clinch bowl eligibility against Auburn (Saturday Down South)

Tom Green is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Tomas_Verde.