november 20, 2014
AUBURN vs. SAMFORD
The Auburn Plainsman
GAME DAY
PAGE
4 PAGE
9 PAGE
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OPINION: Johnson’s job depends on season’s finish
Seniors look to end careers on positive note
Senior Spotlight: LaDarius Owens
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The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day
Thursday, November 20, 2014
TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S PAGE 3 Editor’s take
PAGE 5 Week 11: Auburn in the NFL
PAGE 4 Opinion: Johnson’s job depends on season’s finish
PAGE 7 Senior Spotlight: Nick Marshall
Welcome back, Pat
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PAGE 9 Seniors look to end careers on positive note
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Offense focuses on comeback PAGE 11 Defense is ‘trying to run in quicksand’
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The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day
Editor’s TAKE
An unsustainable model for success Eric Wallace sports@ theplainsman. com
RAYE MAY / PHOTO EDITOR
Malzahn looks frustrated on the sideline vs. Georgia.
Auburn has risen to the top of the SEC leaderboard in a number of statistical categories in two seasons under head coach Gus Malzahn. It all came crashing down in Sanford Stadium last Saturday, Nov. 15, in Athens, Georgia. Gus Malzahn and the Auburn Tigers’ lofty postseason goals were dashed in an uncharacteristic blowout, the worst overall performance of the Malzahn era. Thirteen seconds better? Hard-
ly. The 2014 Tigers won’t even be in the picture for the first playoff. Auburn’s late-season collapse exposed an unsettling reality for Tiger fans: their previous model for success was unsustainable. The Tigers’ defensive deficiencies had been masked this season by an explosive offense capable of putting up 40 points on any given night. The idea the offense could pull the defense from the fire on a weekly basis was a bit fantastic, but fans believed, if for no other reason than they proved they could do it on most occasions. But it was the offense that needed saving against Georgia, and the defense was nowhere to be found.
The defense has now surrendered more than 30 points in five consecutive games, a trend that places extreme pressure on the offense to play perfect football. Combine that pressure with special teams mistakes, such as the ones we saw in the Tigers’ losses to Mississippi State and Georgia, and there’s little chance for Auburn to overcome deficits. It’s clear now Auburn is not an elite college football team. No team that tackles as poorly, generates as insignificant a pass rush and commits as many penalties as the Tigers can be considered elite. It’s a shame considering the level of talent on this team. They’re certainly capable of be-
ing one of the best in the country. But now the Tigers have been reduced to the role of spoiler. As much fun as a potential berth in the Outback Bowl sounds, there is only one game left on the schedule that matters: Alabama. A trip to the SEC Championship may not be on the line, but a victory in the Iron Bowl would still salvage some joy for Auburn fans from an otherwise disappointing 2014 campaign. What better way for Auburn to end the regular season than spoiling the Tide’s postseason dreams? Eric Wallace is The Plainsman sports editor. He can be reached at sports@theplainsman.com.
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Former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, Pat Sullivan, returns to Auburn as head coach of Samford.
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The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day
Thursday, November 20, 2014
OPINION
Johnson’s job depends on season’s finish David McKinney sports@theplainsman.com
Before I move on, let me say I am in no way calling for the firing of Ellis Johnson. Gus Malzahn has expressed his confidence in him, and likely will not fire him come season’s end. Lately, though, there’s been a clear problem on the defensive side of the ball for the Tigers, and it seems to be getting worse with each passing week. Again, I’m not calling for the firing of Johnson. That is, unless Gus Malzahn is 100 percent certain he can bring Will Muschamp back to the Plains. Muschamp is a top-notch defensive coordinator with an Auburn background. Bringing
him back to Jordan-Hare Stadium would be a logical and exciting move for Malzahn’s staff. In his two years here, Muschamp led an aggressive defense, the likes of which haven’t been seen since he left in 2007. Auburn defense has been on a steady decline since the end of the Tuberville era. Even in 2010, in the middle of national-championship run, the defense was lacking. Similar to that 2010 team, these first two Ellis Johnson squads have had to be saved by the offense many times. Eventually though, the offense won’t be able to bail them out. That time never came for the 2010 team, but it should be noted that team also had arguably the greatest college quarterbacks of all time in the backfield. For Auburn, that time in 2014 came against Georgia, when the offense was only able to find the end zone once the whole four quarters.
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If the offense was bad, the defense was even worse, stretching out their arms in last-ditch efforts as Todd Gurley and Nick Chubb rumbled up and down the field with ease all night long. Conveniently, Muschamp was fired the next morning. Things spiraled from there. Fans poured out their desires to can Johnson all over Twitter, and Alabama Media Group’s Kevin Scarbinsky wrote Auburn should hand Muschamp a blank check. I was hesitant to join the masses, but then a friend made a great point. He said if Auburn goes to Nick Saban’s house and posts 30 or more points and loses, Malzahn may begin to question whether he can win with Johnson in control of the defense. Malzahn doesn’t like to lose. Everyone knows that, including Ellis Johnson. But the Georgia loss can’t be blamed entirely on Johnson’s defense. The offense didn’t bail them out,
as they have so many times before. But the loss to then unranked Texas A&M was in large part on the shoulders of the defense. So too would have been a loss to South Carolina, but the offense stepped up in that game. But if you ask me, the offense shouldn’t have to bail out the defense. If you want to win games in the SEC, you’ve got to play two-way football. This Iron Bowl doesn’t have as much on the line as 2013’s, but there is something at stake. If Malzahn and the offense put the Tigers in a position to win, but are thwarted by their own defense, Will Muschamp just may get a call from a 334 number come Sunday. David McKinney is The Plainsman sports reporter. He can be reached at sports@theplainsman.com.
Welcome back, Pat
He obviously gave me my first fulltime opportunity. He instilled a lot of confidence in me and believed in me. I’ll never be able to show my appreciation for him. He impacts so many lives, not just his players but also everyone he comes in contact with.”
“
Rhett Lashlee
Auburn Offensive coordinator
Coach Pat Sullivan is one of the true professionals and gentlemen in the coaching business, obviously an Auburn legend. He’s respected by everyone.” Gus Malzahn
Auburn head coach
Contributed by Zach Bland / Auburn Athletics
Samford head coach Sullivan returns with countless ties to AU.
Thursday, November 20, 2014
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The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day
Auburn IN THE
This season-opening matchup between college football powerhouses was Week 11 was another eventful one for former Auburn Tigers in thefilled NFL.with Trebad Mason blood.continued to impress with his 113 rushing-yard performance against the Denver Broncos freetheagent When theand No. 1former Tigers and No. 10 Josh Bynes has taken advantage of his opportunity with the Detroit Lions asmet heatcompiled fourintackHurricanes Giants Stadium East les, one pass deflection and an interception against the Rutherford, 9-1 Arizona Cardinals. N.J., it was a battle between Name (No.) Team Pos. Week 11 Statistics two sides that had rightful claim to the Josh Bynes (57) Detroit Lions LB Four tackles, one pass deflection, INT 1983 national title. Despite having idenTre Mason (27) St. Louis Rams RB 113 rushing yards in win vs. DEN tical records, “Thevs. U”DEN jumped Auburn Greg Robinson (78) St. Louis Rams G Starting guard in win in the final AP poll after defeating Cam Newton (1) Carolina Panthers QB 292 passing yards, two passing TDsNo. 1 Nebraska in the Orange Bowl. Jerraud Powers (25) Arizona Cardinals CB Two solo tackles in win vs. DET Unfortunately for vs. Auburn, Karlos Dansby (56) Cleveland Browns LB Four total tackles in loss HOU Miami Pat Sims (90) Oakland Raiders DT Four total tackles in loss at SD quarterback Bernie Kosar had one of the Sen’Derrick Marks (99) Jacksonville Jaguars DT Two solo vs.and DAL besttackles games ofin hisloss career, the defense King Dunlap (77) San Diego Chargers G Starting win vs. OAK winner Bo thattackle limitedinfuture Heisman Chris Davis (20) San Diego Chargers CB PlayedJackson in wintovs.less OAK than 100 yards forced a Dee Ford (55) Kansas City Chiefs LB Playedlate in fumble win vs.toSEA secure the narrow victory.
Jay Prosch (45) Jeremiah Ratliff (90) Quentin Groves (53) Josh Harris (47) Nick Fairley (98) Ben Grubbs (66) Cody Parkey (1)
Houston Texans Chicago Bears Tennessee Titans Atlanta Falcons Detroit Lions New Orleans Saints Philadelphia Eagles
FB NT OLB LS DT G K
Played in win at CLE One solo tackle in win vs. MIN One solo tackle in loss vs. PIT One tackle in win at CAR Played in loss at ARI Started in loss vs. CIN Two 33-yard FGs, two extra points
Contributed by Arizona CardinalS CoMPILED BY KYLE VAN FECHTMANN / ASSISTANT sports editor
Jerraud Powers surveys the field in Week 11, where he had two solo tackles
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The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day
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The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day
Senior spotlight
Marshall makes strides in passing game Derek Thompson Sports Writer
Cam Newton’s 1,473 rushing yards were a big factor in the success of Auburn’s 2010 national championship season. Like Newton, quarterback Nick Marshall displayed his mobility, rushing for big time yards. The senior currently holds the school record with eight 100-yard games rushing as a quarterback. While head coach Gus Malzahn built his hurry-up, no-huddle offenses around mobile quarterbacks, a good passing game also helps. Marshall made huge strides to be effective with passing since last season, and the senior’s league-leading 156.6 pass efficiency rating in 2014 SEC games is proof. Marshall said he has always had an ability to make big plays with his legs, but wasn’t confident to do the same with his arm until this year.
“He’s trying to throw the ball first, and if he goes through his progressions and it’s not there, he needs to feel confident to let his instincts take over and go make plays,” said offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee. The Tigers’ signal-caller is tied for eighth in Auburn career-touchdown passes thrown and is a semifinalist for the Maxwell Award, which goes to the nation’s top player; and the Davey O’Brien Award, which goes to the top quarterback. “My confidence level is really high right now,” Marshall said after the close win at Kansas State. “Last year, I would’ve probably flushed out of the pocket on (a late fourth-quarter completion to Duke Williams for the win). But, this year, I just trust my linemen with everything in me, and I know they trust me.” According to his teammates, now that Marshall is more versatile on the field, opponents
cannot be sure what to expect from Auburn’s offense. “We can go deep, we can throw it short, we can run the ball on you,” said junior wide receiver Sammie Coates. “It’s just one of those things that Coach Malzahn brings out. We can do either one with Nick throwing it the way he’s throwing it, and the way we’re running it.” Auburn’s coaches are more confident to call the plays they need to call now that Marshall is more comfortable throwing the football, Lashlee said. “He’s not going to throw into bad situations,” Lashlee said. “If he needs to scramble and ad lib like he did a few times (against LSU), he can. As a coach, you trust him more and more to call things to give him chances to make plays knowing that if it’s not there he’s going to make it right. That’s probably the biggest change from last year to now.”
Lashlee said coaches felt Marshall had a good grasp of the run aspect in the Tennessee game last year. That’s when they started giving him more to add to his game. “We have really trusted him fully since then,” Lashlee said. “There were times when he didn’t always make the right decision. Sometimes he makes it right when he’s wrong, if that makes any sense. But he has gotten better this year at not being greedy.” Marshall will need to make a few more plays in the passing game against Samford, led by Auburn great Pat Sullivan, and in-state rival Alabama, to be remembered as one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks to play at Auburn. “He’s proven that he’s matured to the point that he’s going to look to be a passer first,” Lashlee said. “He’s not going to be (the type of quarterback) that just drops back and tries to take off running.”
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Senior Spotlight
Players look to end careers on positive note Kyle Van Fechtmann Assistant Sports Editor
Although two consecutive losses put their national title hopes out the window, the seniors are ready to put that behind them and finish their last season on a high note. “The thing about Auburn is we’re going to have high expectations and that’s just the way it’s going to go,” said head coach Gus Malzahn. “You’re disappointed when you don’t reach some of your goals. That’s part of it.” The tight-knit group of 20 seniors, who will be honored on Pat Dye Field before playing in their last home game for Senior Day, have been through some of the highest of highs and lowest of lows in Auburn football. The majority of the seniors officially committed to Auburn weeks after the 2010 BCS National Championship victory in hopes of winning a crystal ball of their own while play-
ing for the Tigers. After one of the worst seasons in Auburn football history, the 3-9 2012 season, it looked as if that goal would be completely out of reach. But the group responded with the biggest turnaround in college football history on its way to becoming 2013 SEC Champions, while taking down rivals Georgia and Alabama in back-to-back dramatic, unforgettable fashions. Although they came up 13 seconds short last year and a few games short of that goal this season, the seniors said they are ready to lead the team and bounce back for these final two regular season games. “The mindset of our team is to finish 2-0,” said quarterback Nick Marshall. “Everyone is still together. We don’t have anyone pointing fingers at each other.” Malzahn said anytime a team is beat convincingly, such as the 34-7 loss to Georgia, it
Raye MAY / PHOTO EDITOR
Senior Cameron Artis-Payne was all smiles after this year’s 35-31 victory at Ole Miss.
is important for the coach to solve the issues he needs to solve as a coach and move forward. “We have to be big boys,” Malzahn said. “We’ve got to learn from it and bounce back.” According to the coaches, since this group of seniors has seen it all during their time on the Plains, they will be the ones expected to lead the team to a turnaround in the last two games. “Obviously, you look at your seniors and your pivotal positions,” said offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee. “I think we’ve got plenty of guys (who can lead). From Reese (Dismukes) to Nick (Marshall) to C.J. (Uzomah) to even Quan (Bray) at times. (Cameron Artis-Payne) and Corey (Grant) don’t say much, but their play speaks for themselves and the way they carry themselves. You look to all of those older guys who have been there. This is a group that has won 19 games in less than two
years, so they know how to win. It’s just as a collective whole group, they’ve got to bounce back.” Uzomah said the team’s recent struggles are solely the responsibility of the seniors. “The majority of this falls on the seniors,” Uzomah said. “It’s up to us to raise our level and raise everyone else’s.” Uzomah said their last game together in Jordan-Hare Stadium will be an emotional time for all of the seniors, but they are looking forward to getting the job done against the Samford Bulldogs. “I wouldn’t change my four-year experience here for anything,” Uzomah said. “There definitely has been some downs and lows. But there’s been highs with last season and even this season. The bond that the seniors and underclassmen have, we are a family. That kind of bond is going to last a lifetime.”
File Photo
Seniors Ben Bradley and Gabe Wright celebrate a Missouri three-and-out during last year’s SEC Championship victory in Atlanta.
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The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Offensive outlook
Offense focuses on comeback C.J. Holmes Sports Writer
The Tigers showed promise in their opening drive against the Bulldogs. The march included three straight third-down conversions and a 26-yard touchdown run by Cameron Artis-Payne to give the Tigers an early lead. However, that touchdown would be Auburn’s only score of the evening as Georgia would go on to win 34-7 in the lowest-scoring performance under head coach Gus Malzahn. “I’m disappointed,” said offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee. “We didn’t get it done. Really, at every spot, we didn’t get it done, so we’re very disappointed. Obviously, as coaches, we’re dis-
appointed and our players are disappointed that they didn’t get it done.” Auburn turned the ball over three times in the game, handing the momentum to a surging Georgia team on their home field. “At the end of the day, they kicked our tail and that’s just the reality of it,” Lashlee said. “We didn’t get it done and they beat us.” The offensive line struggled as the SEC’s leading rusher, Artis-Payne, was held to just 86 yards on 20 carries. Georgia dominated Auburn at the line of scrimmage, taking the offense out of its rhythm. “We still lead the league in rushing and we’ve been running
the ball pretty well,” Lashlee said. “Saturday we just didn’t get it done, so we’ve got to work on fixing that this week.” The pass protection wasn’t much better for the Tigers as Nick Marshall was under pressure for most of the game in his return to Athens. Marshall completed 11 passes for 112 yards and one interception, finishing with a quarterback rating of 40.6. Now out of the SEC West race, Lashlee and Malzahn will look to their seniors on the offensive side of the ball for leadership as the regular season winds down. “This is a very good group of seniors,” Malzahn said. “They’ve done a lot of great things for Auburn. I’m hoping our fans will
show up, be loud and send these guys off on the right track.” Center Reese Dismukes said it is going to be “one good last ride.” “You just have to keep these young guys locked in that we still have a lot to play for, and there’s a lot still on the line,” Dismukes said. “None of that outside stuff really matters.” Although disappointed, Lashlee said he knows there is still more football to be played. “Like I said, we’re going to find a lot about what we’re made of and how we respond,” Lashlee said. “Last week was very disappointing and this week was extremely disappointing. It’s all about how we respond. We’ve still got plenty to play for.”
RaYE MAY / PHOTO EDITOR
Corey Grant gets stuck on the ground versus UGA.
Senior Spotlight
Owens’ uncle inspires him through adversity Pierce Quinn Sports Writer
LaDarius Owens was coming off the best season of his career at Auburn University. The 6-foot2, 259-pound defensive end started 12 of 14 games in 2013 and finished with 30 tackles, 2.5 sacks and 11 quarterback hurries, but offseason surgery on a stress fracture in his left foot caused him to miss all of the spring practices. This led LaDarius to feel like he was being overlooked as a factor heading into his senior season, especially when ESPN analysts didn’t talk about his absence from the A-Day scrimmage. “They didn’t say my name,” LaDarius said. “They said nothing RaYE MAY / PHOTO EDITOR about me being hurt, missing the LaDarius walks across the stage at graduation.
spring or anything. During rehab that was on my mind [to] get back and get my name out there. That was the biggest drive for me.” LaDarius said his quest to get back on the football field and return to being one of the best defensive players on the team took another hit when he had additional surgery in June to repair a stress fracture in his right leg he developed because of overcompensating while recovering from the first surgery. “It was trying,” LaDarius said. “To be honest, I just prayed about it, and it really built me. It kept me going.” LaDarius and his family are no strangers to adversity. His uncle, James Owens, was the first African-American scholarship football
player in Auburn history when he enrolled in 1969. James rushed for 225 yards and scored five touchdowns in his career as a fullback, but faced segregation on and off the football field to the point where he said he wished to go home many times. Each time, he said his mother convinced him to stay, and by the end of his career with the Tigers, James paved the way for African-Americans to play at Auburn. LaDarius credits his uncle for enabling him to conquer the adversity he has faced in his own playing career, especially during his sophomore season in 2012, when the team went 3-9 and brought in a new coaching staff. “The 2012 season was the big-
gest impact he had on me,” LaDarius said. “I was frustrated because I wasn’t playing a lot and the results of the season. With everything he went through and knowing the courage he had made me keep chopping wood though. When the new coaches came, I just flipped a switch. Whatever came my way, I was going to fight and try to conquer it.” LaDarius responded with his best season in 2013. LaDarius has said he put the injuries behind him and has recorded 16 tackles and a pass deflection this year. “A lot of times I have had to do a lot of convincing that things are going to be OK,” James said. “I’m so glad he has listened and been patient waiting for his time to come.”
Thursday, November 20, 2014
The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day
11
Coordinator’s Corner
Defense is ‘trying to run in quicksand’ Kyle Van Fechtmann Assistant Sports Editor
In a game, such as the 34-7 blowout loss at Georgia where the Bulldogs ran for 289 yards, it is hard to find any positives on the defensive side because, as defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson said, the glaring mistakes overshadow any good plays. “It’s been sort of like trying to run in quicksand,” Johnson said. “We’ve been doing things as hard as we can do them and as well as we can do them. But every game, if there’s 75 snaps, there’s about 55-60 really good looking snaps, but it’s those other 15 that are killing us.” Johnson said the defense played more physically in the Georgia game than against the Aggies, but their mistakes are what really kept them from digging themselves out of the hole
they made. Those mistakes create explosive plays and makes it easier for opposing offenses to put up points on the scoreboard, which Texas A&M and Georgia did not have a problem doing these past two games. Head coach Gus Malzahn said the difference between those two losses is the defense responded to second half adjustments in the Texas A&M game, but did not against the Bulldogs. According to Johnson, the mistakes on Auburn’s defense include miscommunication, overrunning the football, which results in missed tackles; and also busted assignments and the continuing struggle to force pressure on the quarterback. “It wasn’t the physicality of it, or the nature of their performance,” Johnson said. “It was a
Raye May / photo editor
Nick Chubb breaks through Auburn’s defense, where he rushed for 144 yards.
lot of little mistakes [that add up].” Johnson took ownership of the defensive struggles and said mistakes begin with coaching. “We’re going to always think it’s coaching, because if you don’t then you don’t have any solutions,” Johnson said. “When you have that issue as a coach, you always take that upon yourself. I either have to teach it better, we’ve got to rep it more frequently, we’re doing too much or somehow [they are] not understanding it.” Johnson said if it gets to the point where a player simply cannot perform, then he has to make a change, but the most important thing is to make sure he is coaching and teaching it correctly. According to Johnson, the starters and rotators need to play well in this week’s game
against Samford. “When I’m standing here next Sunday, we better be a better football team than we are today, or we’re not going to be ready to play Alabama,” Johnson said. Johnson said he hears criticism from outsiders, but as someone who has been coaching for 40 years, he is used to that and doesn’t let it affect him. “I’ve got an old buddy who said one day that all Southern men think they know how to win a NASCAR race and coach football,” Johnson said. “I’ve been coaching for 40 years, I’ve coached at a lot of different places, and it’s just part of the business. If it bothered me, I wouldn’t still be coaching for 40 years. I can understand some of it. We’re frustrated, players are frustrated and obviously fans are frustrated.”
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