GAME DAY Sept. 24 vs. #18 LSU 5 p.m., ESPN
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The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day
Thursday, September 22, 2016
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE 4
PAGE 9
Depth charts for Auburn and LSU Behind enemy bylines: Q&A with LSU’s The Daily Reveille
PAGE 14 PAGE 6 Defense aiming to prevent repeat Malzahn acknowledges offensive struggles: “We’re going to get this of 2015 loss to LSU thing turned around”
MATTHEW BISHOP / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Aubie pumps up the crowd during Auburn’s game against Texas A&M.
Thursday, September 22, 2016
The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day
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The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day
Quarterback: Sean White - 13 John Franklin III - 5 Jeremy Johnson - 6 Running Back: Kerryon Johnson - 21 Kamryn Pettway - 36
Wide Receiver: Darius Slayton - 81 Kyle Davis - 11 Left Tackle: Austin Golson - 73 Darius James - 78
H-Back/Tight End: Chandler Cox - 27 Jalen Harris - 85
Left Guard: Alex Kozan - 63 Deon Mix - 75 OR Marquel Harrell - 77
Wide Receiver: Marcus Davis - 80 OR Ryan Davis - 83
Center: Xavier Dampeer - 52 Kaleb Kim - 54
Wide Receiver: Stanton Truitt - 10 OR Will Hastings - 33
Right Guard: Braden Smith - 71 Mike Horton - 64
Wide Receiver: Tony Stevens - 8 Nate Craig-Myers - 3
Right Tackle: Robert Leff - 70 Prince Tega Wanogho - 76
Defensive End: Marlon Davidson - 3 Byron Cowart - 9 OR Paul James III - 10 Defensive Tackle: Montravius Adams - 1 Derrick Brown - 5 OR Devaroe Lawrence - 94 Defensive Tackle: Dontavius Russell - 95 Maurice Swain - 90 OR Andrew Williams - 79
Thursday, September 22, 2016
Will Linebacker: Montavious Atkinson - 48 OR T.J. Neal - 17
Kicker: Daniel Carlson - 38 Ian Shannon - 43
Sam Linebacker: Darrell Williams - 49 Richard McBryde - 51
Punter: Kevin Phillips - 91 Ian Shannon - 43
Field Corner Carlton Davis - 6 Marshall Taylor - 26 Field Safety: Stephen Roberts - 14 OR Nick Ruffin - 19
Buck: Carl Lawson - 55 Jeff Holland - 4
Boundary Safety: Tray Matthews - 28 Markell Boston - 11
Middle Linebacker: Deshaun Davis - 57 OR Tre’ Williams - 30
Boundary Corner: Josh Holsey - 15 Javaris Davis - 31 Nickel: Jonathan Ford - 23 Josh Holsey - 15
Long Snapper: Ike Powell - 69 Zach Wade - 68 OR Clarke Smith - 53 Holder: Tyler Stovall - 29 John Franklin III - 5 Punt Returner: Marcus Davis - 80 Ryan Davis - 83 Kick Returner: Johnathan Ford - 23 AND Kerryon Johnson - 21
LSU DEPTH CHART Left Tackle: K.J. Malone - 63 Maea Teuhema - 75 Chidi Okeke - 68
Defensive End: Lewis Neal - 92 Deondre Clark - 98 Glen Logan - 96
Left Guard: Will Clapp - 64 Garrett Brumfield - 78 Adrian Magee - 73
Nose Tackle: Greg Gilmore - 99 Travonte Valentine - 55 Ed Alexander - 95
Tight End: Colin Jeter - 81 Foster Moreau - 84
Center: Ethan Pocic - 77 Andy Dodd - 72 Lloyd Cushenberry III - 79
Defensive End: Davon Godchaux - 57 Frank Herron - 97 Rashard Lawrence - 90
Wide Receiver: Malachi Dupre - 15 Jazz Ferguson - 86 Drake Davis - 25
Right Guard: Maea Teuhema - 75 OR Josh Boutte - 76 Garrett Brumfield - 73
Wide Receiver: Travin Dural - 83 D.J. Chark - 82 Derrick Dillon - 19
Right Tackle: Toby Weathersby - 66 Maea Teuhema - 75 Adrian Magee - 73
Quarterback: Danny Etling - 16 OR Brandon Harris - 6 Running Back: Leonard Fournette - 7 Derrius Guice - 5 Fullback: J.D. Moore - 44 Bry’Keilhon Mouton - 47
Outside Linebacker: Tashawn Bower - 46 Michael Divinity Jr. - 45 Ray Thornton - 43 Middle Linebacker: Kendell Beckwith - 52 Donnie Alexander - 48 Devin Voohries - 35
Inside Linebacker: Duke Riley - 40 Devin White - 24
Kicker: Colby Delahoussaye - 42 Connor Culp - 34
Outside Linebacker: Arden Key - 49 Tashawn Bower - 46 Sci Martin - 87
Punter: Josh Growden -38 Bailey Raborn - 22
Cornerback: Tre’Davious White - 18 Ed Paris - 21 Kristian Fulton - 22
Long Snapper: Blake Ferguson - 50 John Ballis - 59
Strong Safety: Jamal Adams - 33 John Battle - 26 Eric Monroe - 30 Free Safety: Rickey Jefferson - 9 Dwayne Thomas - 13 Xavier Lewis - 19 Cornerback: Kevin Tolliver II - 2 Donte Jackson - 1 Saivion Smith - 8
Holder: Josh Growden - 38 Punt Returner: Tre’Davious White - 18 Donte Jackson - 1 Kick Returner: Derrius Guice - 5 Donte Jackson - 1
Thursday, September 22, 2016
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The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day
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The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day
Thursday, September 22, 2016
DEFENSE
Defense aiming to prevent repeat of 2015 loss to LSU Sam Butler
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
LSU comes to town this week, and the Bayou Bengals bring some bad memories with them. Auburn traveled to Baton Rouge in Week 3 of 2015 for the team’s SEC opener, fresh off of needing overtime to topple FCS foe Jacksonville State. While it was early in the season and the early struggles were alarming, the Tigers were still undefeated and expected to contend in the conference. Sixty minutes later, those dreams came screeching to a devastating halt. LSU running back Leonard Fournette almost single-handedly trounced Auburn, running through Will Muschamp’s defense like a tattered screen door to the tune of 228 yards and three touchdowns on just 19 rushes — a blistering 12 yards per carry. The score was 45-21, but that isn’t what Auburn players remember. “The only thing I really remember is the feeling,” said defensive tackle Montravius Adams. “I don’t remember the score, but I know it was a bad score. I just remember the feeling, really. … just going back and watching the film and feeling like we could’ve did better. We just didn’t perform to the best of our ability.” They have an opportunity to knock out two birds with one stone this Saturday: they can exact revenge for last year’s demolition, and they can notch Auburn’s first conference win of the season — and the first home conference win since October of 2014. LSU presents almost a reprieve of sorts. Not in terms of quality — far from it, as LSU, despite dropping its opener to Wisconsin, is still sitting at No. 18 in the AP poll — but in terms of offensive personnel. They utilize a more traditional Power-I offense, a jarring difference from the spread offenses Auburn has faced in Clemson and Texas A&M. It's something Auburn's had time to prepare for during the spring and fall camp. “I never thought I’d stand before a
FILE PHOTO
Leonard Fournette ran roughshod over Auburn in LSU’s 45-21 win in 2015, ending Auburn’s SEC title hopes before they even began.
group the third week of the season and saying ‘Well, we’ve got a little adjustment to make. We’ve got to go out there and make sure when can get lined up against I-pro,’” said defensive coordinator Kevin Steele. “I never thought I would say that, but that’s where the game is.” LSU quarterback Brandon Harris, who made his first start in Auburn’s 41-7 win in 2014, was replaced by Purdue transfer Danny Etling two weeks ago in LSU’s win over Jacksonville State. LSU coach Les Miles named Etling the starter the following week for Mississippi State, and he will presumably start against Auburn as well.
The uncertainty at quarterback for LSU could allow Auburn to hone in its focus on Fournette and the running game, although Etling did perform well in the Tigers’ 23-20 win over Mississippi State. Defending Fournette, however, is a tall task, and the issues Auburn had preventing Texas A&M from breaking long runs have to be squashed. “As far as run defense, it’s not acceptable, it’s not to our standard and it will be corrected and corrected immediately,” Steele said. “The thing that we’ve got is we’ve got guys that have bought into the process, they understand the process and we just have to develop more of a sense of urgency on Sun-
day, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday to sharpen the axe so that when we do go to chop down the tree that we’re not just knocking the bark and bruising the tree and getting really tired. We have to get that done to where the process is we’ve got to get more honed up in our skill to develop the ability to hone that process up in the week, so that we can come out with the kind of production that we want. “So, we’re making progress but we’ve got a long way to go and it is a work in progress. But I think the thing is that their attitude has been and is very good. As long as we’ve got that then as coaches we have to help them, we’ve got to get better.”
Thursday, September 22, 2016
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The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day
AUBURN IN THE
Catching up with the former Auburn Tigers who are making names for themselves in the NFL
FILE PHOTO
Former Auburn running back Corey Grant scored his first career touchdown in the NFL Sunday in the Jaguars’ loss to the San Diego Chargers.
Name (No.) Sammie Coates (14) Karlos Dansby (56) Cam Newton (1) C.J. Uzomah (87) Davonte Lambert (75) Quan Bray (11) Ricardo Louis (80) Nick Fairley (98) Greg Robinson (79) Dee Ford (30) Brandon King (25) Jay Prosch (45) Angelo Blackson (95) Chris Davis (43) Cameron Artis-Payne (44) Daren Bates (56) Corey Grant (33) Pat Sims (92)
Team Pos. Pittsburgh Steelers WR Cincinnati Bengals LB Carolina Panthers QB Cincinnati Bengals TE Tampa Bay Buccaneers DT Indianapolis Colts WR Detroit Lions WR New Orleans Saints DT Los Angeles Rams T Kansas City Chiefs DE New England Patriots S Houston Texans FB Tennessee Titans DT San Francisco 49ers CB Carolina Panthers RB Oakland Raiders LB Jacksonville Jaguars RB Cincinnati Bengals DT
Week 2 Hauled in two passes for 97 yards Ten tackles against Pittsburgh Went 24 for 40 with 353 yards, 4 TDs Three catches for 9 yards Made NFL debut against Arizona Hauled in first career NFL reception Recovered fumble in loss to Baltimore Three tackles in loss to Giants Third year as starting LT for LA Three tackles against Houston One tackle against Carolina Two carries for 3 yards against Arizona Two tackles in loss to Detroit One tackle in loss to Carolina Inactive against San Francisco One tackle against Atlanta Scored first career NFL touchdown Two tackles against the Jets
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The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day
Thursday, September 22, 2016
QUARTERBACKS
MADISON OGLETREE / PHOTO EDITOR
Sean White searches for an opening against Arkansas State. Despite a lackluster outing against Texas A&M, coach Gus Malzahn remains committed to White as the starting quarterback.
Sean White remains starting quarterback against LSU Sam Butler
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
Despite getting pulled in the fourth quarter against Texas A&M, Sean White will remain Auburn’s starting quarterback. Head coach Gus Malzahn named White the starter for the third time this season Tuesday morning, shutting down speculation that John Franklin III would replace him. “We feel like he gives us the best chance of winning,” Malzahn said. “We've got to be better around him. We've got to put him in better situations from a coaching standpoint to help him.” White was 18-of-27 for 126 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions against Texas A&M, and with Auburn trailing in the final period, Malzahn pulled White for Franklin, saying the offense needed “a shot in the arm.” Franklin’s substitution sparked the rushing attack, which
suddenly found more room to operate as defenses were forced to respect Franklin’s speed on the outside. However, Franklin did run out of bounds a few yards short of the first-down marker on fourth down, turning the ball over on downs late in the game and ending any chance for Auburn to come back. “You know, he'll learn from it,” Malzahn said. “He won't do it again. That's probably the best way to answer that … You know, like I've said before, he's learning the offense. Every time that he goes out there, we learn more about him. He is explosive, like everybody can see. He just needs to feel more comfortable.” Malzahn didn’t immediately commit to keeping White as the starter following the loss to Texas A&M, saying the coaching staff would “talk things over” in the coming days. Ultimately, they decided to stick with White.
And moving forward, Malzahn says White will be getting more freedom to run the offense how he likes. “He is getting to a point where he can take charge a little bit more,” Malzahn said. “We as coaches, we need to give him a little more freedom. That's part of the plan moving forward, too. We've got to put him in some better situations also.” The biggest key to White performing to his ability is getting him in a rhythm, which he found during the first quarter against Texas A&M. He started 6 for 6 with 62 yards, but finished just 12 for 21 with 64 yards the rest of the game. “It's very important [to get White in a rhythm],” Malzahn said. “We've got confidence in him to do that. We had a couple of negative plays trying to throw the ball on first down because of the mesh charge, trying to get him in a rhythm. But there's no doubt that when he gets in a rhythm, he's a solid quarterback.”
Thursday, September 22, 2016
Behind enemy bylines The Auburn Plainsman got a chance to sit down with Christian Boutwell, sports editor at LSU's The Daily Reveille, to discuss Auburn's game against LSU from the other side of things. Q. Auburn's had plenty of quarterback issues itself, but LSU's got a shakeup of its own. What prompted the change from Brandon Harris to Danny Etling, and how have things looked since Miles made the switch? CB: After Brandon Harris completed 12 passes (two interceptions, one touchdown) against Wisconsin, Les Miles heard negative sentiments about LSU's passing offense from everyone from an entire week. It was a rough week for him as he only heard the complaints from fans about how LSU's offense is the same, stagnant, run-heavy offense with a weak passing game. Miles threw in Danny Etling after two failed drives from Harris against Jacksonville State. It's been all praise since then for Miles, Etling and LSU. He has a pocket presence Harris didn't seem to have and LSU's playbook has expanded since because of Etling's ability. So, to say the least, the swap has been working, it seems. Q. Leonard Fournette is one of the best players in the country, and he's always given Auburn fits. However, Auburn's defense has been miles better than it was at this point last season. Do you foresee Fournette having any trouble against Auburn's D-line? CB: This is a tough one. If there ever was a time for LSU's run game to struggle, it's this weekend. Clearly, Fournette can move the ball almost by himself, but his ankle isn't 100 percent after injuring it on LSU's final drive vs. Wisconsin. ESPN, during LSU-Mississippi State, reported Fournette's ankle was 100 percent and that he was "iffy" to play. The network declared the injury a high ankle sprain, so there's that. He practiced in full pads on Monday, and he's expected to be good-to-go against Auburn. But, LSU's offensive line is nicked up, too. Four starters went down against MSU, some of which sat out of practice yesterday, Miles said. So to recap, a hindered Fournette may be running behind a weakened offensive line.
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The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day
Office of Profassion11/ 1111d C11re.-r De,,e/opmmt
Q. What matchup with Auburn scares LSU the most? CB: Most interesting is LSU's unpredictable, "new" offense against Auburn's defense under former LSU defensive coordinator Kevin Steele. I don't know if that matchup scares LSU, but, especially with former Auburn quarterback Dameyune Craig pitching in info about Auburn's personnel, I think a lot of things about building for LSU's offense against Auburn's defense to be something to keep an eye out for. Q. What other matchups will dictate how this game will go? CB: Has to be LSU's front seven against Auburn's quarterbacks. Auburn always seems to score a ton of points on LSU (see: 41-7 last time LSU played at Jordan-Hare). LSU is hanging "41-7" all around its practice facility as a reminder. So, I digress, but LSU's linebackers/defensive lineman will have to contain Auburn's offense, unlike it did two seasons ago. Q. Last time LSU traveled to Auburn, they got stomped 41-7. Is there any revenge on the minds of LSU players, even with the smackdown they put on Auburn in Baton Rouge last year? CB: Like I said, LSU has four characters, in dark, bold font, plastered on signs all around its practice facility: "41-7." LSU has not forgotten. Even the younger guys, who were not there for the 41-7 blowout, want revenge. I think LSU will be as fired up as it could be. LSU's historically not performed well against Auburn in Jordan-Hare, so we will see. Q. How do you think the game this Saturday will shake out? CB: Tough one, here. LSU cannot afford another loss, so between that and motivation for a win at Jordan-Hare — revenging what happened there two years ago — LSU seems to want this one. I don't expect a blowout, but I don't know how close it may be. Let's say LSU 31, Auburn 24.
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The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day
Thursday, September 22, 2016
Auburn vs. LSU: Interesting facts Nathan Deal
lowest-ranked victor since 2002, when unranked Auburn beat No. 10 LSU 31-7. Since then, every win has come from a top 15 team, and all but two wins have come from top 10 teams.
SPORTS REPORTER
- LSU leads Auburn all-time, 28-21-1. - LSU has won 7 of the last 9 meetings. In that span, LSU has outscored Auburn 248182, an average score of approximately 28-20. - Auburn is 11-7 against LSU on the Plains. - Since 2000, Auburn is 6-2 at home against LSU. LSU's offense has struggled in Jordan-Hare Stadium, as the Bayou Bengals have averaged just 12 points per game in that span. - The home team in this rivalry has won 14 of the last 16 meetings. Both road wins were early-season night victories for LSU in Jordan-Hare Stadium. Both of those seasons, Auburn had a losing record and a new head coach the following season. -With LSU ranked 20th in the AP Poll and Auburn unranked, this game will feature its
- Auburn is 2-2 in games played after facing Texas A&M. The wins came against New Mexico State and Florida Atlantic in 2012 and 2013, respectively. The last two years, the Tigers have lost to Georgia after facing the Aggies. - Auburn's current six-game losing streak in home SEC games is a school record. - Auburn-LSU is known for its collection of classic, bizarre games, which makes the past three years' blowouts seem peculiar. The latest trio of winning Tigers have outscored the losing Tigers, 121-49. - These two Tiger programs have been among the best in the SEC and the nation so far this century. Since 2000, Auburn and LSU have combined for three national championships, five national championship game appearances, six SEC championships and eight SEC West championships.
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Thursday, September 22, 2016
The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day
11
DEFENSE
With Auburn needing a win, defense turns to leadership Nathan Deal SPORTS REPORTER
With two losses in three weeks and Leonard Fournette's LSU Tigers looming, Auburn must figure out what went wrong against Texas A&M and turn things around for arguably the biggest game for the program since 2014. Junior linebacker Tre Williams had six tackles — tied for the team high — to lead Auburn's defense to another spirited performance in the 29-16 loss to the Aggies. However, the night still ended in disappointment for the Tigers, making Saturday's game against LSU that much more important. If Auburn wants to get its season back on track, it'll need to start with the team's leaders, Williams said. "That’s where leadership comes in," Williams said. "Despite our record or who we played or how we played or who we play next, it’s based on our leadership to pick up and get younger guys and also the older guys on board
so we can keep moving forward." Auburn's defense has proven itself to be an effective unit this season, earning praise from Texas A&M quarterback Trevor Knight after the game as "one of the better defenses in the country." Despite this, the offense's struggles have led to the 1-2 start. Auburn's defense refuses to point any fingers or blame the offense for the Tigers losses, however. "We can’t really control anything that goes on with the offense," Williams said. "All we can do is support them and we’re going to support them whether they play good or not, because we’re all the Auburn Tigers – we’re not the Auburn defense and the Auburn offense." Auburn will need a complete team performance if it wants to defeat No. 18 LSU. The Bayou Bengals crushed Auburn in Baton Rouge last season, 45-21, behind Fournette's 228 yards and 3 touch-
downs. Williams, along with Deshaun Davis, didn't see much time in Auburn's 24-point loss in Death Valley last September. Watching the demolition from the sidelines has motivated them for this game. "Well yeah, we didn’t play well last year," Williams said. "We for sure have to get that 'W' this week. So of course we’re ready for it." Fournette, whose tackle and record-breaking performance placed him firmly in the lead for the Heisman Trophy at the time, is getting his due respect from Auburn's defense, but his presence won't change the Tigers mentality. "Every running back in the SEC is good to us," Williams said. "It just comes down to us playing good defense. It depends on how we play to see however they play."
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The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day
PLAINSMAN PICKS Emily Shoffit
Thursday, September 22, 2016
Oklahoma State vs. Baylor (6:30 p.m., FOX)
Auburn vs. LSU (5 p.m., ESPN)
Texas A&M vs. Arkansas (8 p.m., ABC)
Tennessee vs. Florida (2:30 p.m., CBS)
Michigan State vs. Wisconsin (11 a.m., BTN)
Ole Miss vs. Georgia (7 p.m., ABC)
LSU
Texas A&M
Florida
Wisconsin
Ole Miss
Oklahoma State
LSU
Texas A&M
Tennessee
Michigan State
Ole Miss
Baylor
LSU
Texas A&M
Tennessee
Wisconsin
Ole Miss
LSU
Texas A&M
Florida
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Ole Miss
Auburn
Texas A&M
Tennessee
Michigan State
Ole Miss
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Auburn
Texas A&M
Florida
Michigan State
Ole Miss
Oklahoma State
Auburn
Texas A&M
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Sports Editor (9-9)
Sam Butler Asst. Sports Editor (10-8)
Nathan Deal
Oklahoma State
Sports Reporter (12-6)
Jack Winchester Sports Writer (10-8)
Bailey Rogers Sports Writer (12-6)
Pearce Miller
Baylor
Sports Writer (9-9)
Will Sahlie Sports Writer (10-8)
Baylor
Thursday, September 22, 2016
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The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day
RECEIVERS
Former receivers coach Dameyune Craig’s presence still felt in WR corps Nathan Deal SPORTS REPORTER
ADAM SPARKS / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Darius Slayton hauls in a pass against Arkansas State.
When Darius Slayton was a highly touted prospect in the 2015 recruiting cycle, he received offers from some of the biggest programs in college football, including Georgia. The Bulldogs were considered by some to be the favorite to land the four-star wide receiver. However, over the course of his recruitment, he built a bond with Auburn wide receivers coach Dameyune Craig, who had served in that same position on the offense under Gus Malzahn for the past two seasons. By the end of National Signing Day, Craig's charisma, experience and football knowledge had won Slayton over. Slayton officially joined the Auburn football program. Slayton was given a redshirt his freshman year, giving him time to grow as a receiver and as a college student. He continued to bond with Craig over the course of the 2015 season, and saw his coach as someone he could depend on. “He was a very emotional leader,” Slayton said. “Like if somebody was going through something or had a problem or something,
I feel like he did a really good job of just helping us stay focused on football and school and keeping you here and not focusing on things going on outside you or possibly back home or something.” But just over a year after wooing Slayton to The Plains, Craig accepted an offer to become the wide receiver coach for Les Miles' LSU Tigers. “Honestly, I was surprised at first,” Slayton said. “It just kind of happened.” Craig's departure was a significant change for Auburn's program and Slayton's college experience. Now, fewer than eight months later, it will be difficult for Slayton to look across the field and see his recruiter on the opposite sideline. "Obviously, you build that bond through recruiting," Slayton said. "So, obviously, it was a little sad when he left." Despite only being coached by Craig for one season, Slayton feels no animosity toward the former Auburn quarterback. In fact, he's looking forward to the reunion. "I wish him the best of luck," Slayton said. "When I see him Saturday, I'll shake his hand and say what's up. It'll be like old times. It was sad to see him go, but I'm happy for him."
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14
The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day
Thursday, September 22, 2016
OFFENSE
ADAM SPARKS / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Auburn coach Gus Malzahn goes through Tiger Walk before Auburn’s game against Arkansas State.
Malzahn acknowledges struggles: “We’re going to get this thing turned around” Sam Butler
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
Gus Malzahn knows the season hasn’t started how he, the team or anyone else has wanted. “The last two losses have probably hurt me worse than any of the others,” Malzahn said. “I fully understand our fan base is disappointed, and they should be. The bottom line is we've got to coach our players better, and that starts with me. The fact is, we're close. As a matter of fact, we're real close to being a good team and we're going to get this thing turned around.” He accepted the blame for a struggling offense, saying “we’ve got to coach them better, and that starts with me.” The Tigers are 94th in the country in passing and 84th in scoring offense after scoring 13 and 16 points in games that weren’t against Arkansas State. Auburn hasn’t topped 16 points against a Power 5 team in
four games, and the Tigers are mired in the midst of a six-game home losing streak to SEC opponents. Malzahn said he and the rest of the coaching staff weren’t quick enough to make adjustments against Texas A&M, which Malzahn said threw something new at Auburn that they hadn’t seen before. Mesh charging, which is when a defensive end attacks the exchange point between a quarterback and running back, disrupted Auburn’s offensive gameplan early, and Malzahn acknowledged he didn’t make the necessary changes to combat it. “We've just got to make better adjustments,” Malzahn said. “Defensive guys, when something works, they're all going to do it. I don't care if you're a guy that's been in the league 20 years and you've never done it. That's just the way it works. Just charging the mesh with the quarterback and the running back. If you take out the four negative plays, you feel a little bit better
about the performance. And we would have had a better likelihood of scoring points.” The team may have dropped a pair of frustrating games, but they haven’t affected the team’s chemistry. Malzahn shouldered the blame himself, and assured that the players understand how near they are to winning games. “We've got an extremely close group,” Malzahn said. “We have great leadership, which helps with that. There'll be no friction within this team. The big thing is our players are playing their guts out. They're playing hard. We've got to coach them better and that starts with me, and that's what's going to get done. We're close. “When you really look at everything, we've played two very good teams, had opportunities. We've got to take that next step. We're going to get this thing turned around. There's no doubt in my mind, and we're going to get this thing going.”
Thursday, September 22, 2016
15
The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day
MADISON OGLETREE / PHOTO EDITOR
The Auburn University Marching Band performs on the field at halftime of Auburn’s game against Texas A&M.
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