September 4, 2014
AUBURN vs. SAN JOSE STATE
The Auburn Plainsman
GAME DAY
PAGE PAGE
3 PAGE
5 PAGE
7
Editor’s Take: Making the twoquarterback system work at AU
What to watch for during the San Jose State game
Transfer Talk: “Duke” Williams takes Auburn by storm
2
The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day
Thursday, September 4, 2014
TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S PAGE 3
PAGE 6
Editor’s Take: Making the twoquarterback system work at AU
Senior Spotlight: Cameron Artis-Payne
PAGE 5
PAGE 7
Plainsman Picks What to watch for during the San Jose State game
Transfer Talk: D’haquille Williams
The Auburn Plainsman 255 Heisman Drive, Suite 1111, AU Student Center Auburn, AL 36849 Newsroom - (334) 844-9108 Advertising - (334) 844-4130
Editor-in-Chief - Becky Hardy
Managing Editor - Maddie Yerant
NEWSROOM CAMPUS Editor - Corey Williams Reporter - Derek Herscovici Writer - Brian Stultz Writer - Megan Barkdull Writer - Nicole Fulkerson Writer - Patricia Green Writer - Savannah Downey
COMMUNITY Editor - Ashtyne Cole Reporter - Nick Hines Writer - Kailey Miller Writer - Rachel Davis Writer - Kerry Coppinger Writer - Jim Little
INTRIGUE Editor - Kyle Nazario Reporter - Kate Seckinger Writer - Grayson Temple Writer - Payden Evans Writer - Lindsey Raygan Writer - Gautham Sabundam
SPORTS
KENNY MOSS / PHOTOGRAPHER The Tigers huddle in the rain at midfield following their season opening 45-21 win over Arkansas.
Editor - Eric Wallace Asst. Editor - Kyle Van Fechtmann Reporter - David McKinney Writer - Pierce Quinn Writer - Andrew Monson Writer - Derek Thompson
ADVERTISING OPINION
Gerritt Keaton - Ad Manager
Editor - Ben Croomes
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
PHOTO
Claire Woodall
Editor - Raye May
DESIGNERS
Photographer - Sarah May Photographer - Kenneth Moss Photographer - Charles Tatum
DISTRIBUTION
GRAPHICS AND DESIGN Graphics Editor - Charlotte Kelly Asst. Graphics Editor - Shelby Reister Asst. Design Editor - Stephanie Reeves Design Associate - Heather Webster
ONLINE Editor - Cat Watson Associate - Emily Esleck Associate - Rachel Sprouse
COPY DESK Editor - Jordan Hays Asst. Editor - Maria McIlwain Associate - Maya Ballard
MULTIMEDIA Editor - Kris Sims
EDITORIAL ADVISER Austin Phillips (334) 844-9104 adviser@theplainsman.com
Mallory Glover Alex Lee
Austin Haisten Mitchell Dawson Jason Bass
NETWORK MANAGER Wes Coker
MARKETING Clara West, director Alexis Brost Marisa Rodriguez Jamarius (Stan) Taylor Elaina Turley
GENERAL MANAGER & ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Judy Riedl (334) 844-9101 gm@theplainsman.com admanager@theplainsman.com
OFFICE MANAGER Kim Rape (334) 844-4130 kelleka@auburn.edu
Thursday, September 4, 2014
3
The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day
opinion
Making the two-quarterback system work Eric Wallace Sports Editor
sports@theplainsman. com
It’s rarely a good sign in modern college football to hear your favorite team is considering a two-quarterback system. It usually means neither quarterback has done enough to win the job outright, such as David Ash and Case McCoy in 2012 at Texas, or each quarterback has a significant weakness that requires the other’s complimentary skills, such as Chris Relf and Tyler Russell in 2010 at Mississippi State. Of course there are a few outliers. Florida won a national championship in 2006 with the experienced Chris Leak and true freshman bruiser Tim Tebow. Notre Dame made it to the national championship in 2012
with contributions from Everett Golson and Tommy Rees. But in general, it seems to be in a team’s best interest to have an established signal caller under center. It provides a comfort for offensive lineman anxiously listening for audibles at the line, and continuity for the skill position players the quarterback is distributing to. So what does that mean for Auburn in 2014? Head football coach Gus Malzahn has already stated backup quarterback Jeremy Johnson will have a role in the offense this season, even with starter Nick Marshall’s suspension officially coming to an end. Talent isn’t the question when it comes to Johnson. The sophomore showed his undeniable talent in the first half against Arkansas, passing for 243 yards and two touchdowns in his first ever SEC start. Johnson appeared to have a strong con-
nection with junior college transfer receiver D’haquille Williams; the former No. 1 JUCO receiver reeled in 138 of his eventual 154 receiving yards with Johnson passing the ball in the first half of his debut. But if Auburn’s offense showed a weakness Saturday with Johnson calling the shots, it was in the run game. The Tigers led the nation in 2013 by averaging 328 rushing yards per game, but with Johnson taking snaps in the first half, Auburn only managed 68 rushing yards. There seemed to be little threat of the quarterback keeping on zone read plays, and Johnson contributed zero rushing yards of his own. Meanwhile, with Marshall making his season debut in the second half, the run game opened up to the tune of 234 rushing yards. Simply the threat of Marshall keeping the ball, which he did on a 19-yard touchdown in the third quarter, was enough to clear space for
Cameron Artis-Payne and Corey Grant. Auburn’s offense took on two different forms in each half against Arkansas and those forms corresponded to who was calling the shots. So can the Tigers make the two-quarterback system work? One advantage for Auburn is the overall experience on the team. The offense is chockfull of experienced starters who have spent two years with both quarterbacks, meaning it shouldn’t be too big of a changeup with whoever is out there. Auburn’s strength is still in the run game, which means Marshall will likely remain as the official starter, but it will be interesting to see how and when Johnson is used each Saturday. Just how the snaps are divvied up between the two will likely remain a mystery, however. Malzahn is known to play these matters close to the vest.
COMING SOON
NOW HIRING EMILY ENFINGER / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR Nick Marshall crosses the endzone after his 19-yard touchdown run against Arkansas.
1447 Opelika Rd. | Auburn, AL | (334) 821-2282
mugshotsgrillandbar.com
4
The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day
Thursday, September 4, 2014
ThAnkS fOR vOTinG uS
best sub shop fOR 13 STRAiGhT yeARS!
2012
334 W Magnolia Avenue Auburn 334-826-2476
600 Webster Road
1550 Opelika Road
Flint’s Crossing Shopping Center
Auburn 334-821-7835
1888 Ogletree Road
Inside Tiger Chevron
Moore’s Mill Crossing Center
Auburn 334-821-9996
Auburn 334-826-1207
1017 Columbus Parkway Opelika 334-749-3528
2300 Gateway Drive Inside Bread & Buggy Country C-Store
Opelika 334-749-2309
SUBWAY® is a registered trademark of Doctor’s Associates Inc. ©2012 Doctor’s Associates Inc.
1791 Shug Jordan Parkway Auburn 334-826-1716
1599 S College Street Inside Eagle Chevron
Auburn 334-887-7460
Thursday, September 4, 2014
PLAINSMAN PICKS Auburn vs. San Jose State
5
The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day
Stanford vs. USC (S. Calif.)
Oregon vs. Michigan State
Notre Dame vs. Michigan
BC vs. Pittsburgh
Opinion
Underrated player watch David McKinney
Sports Reporter sports@ theplainsman. com
Eric Wallace
Auburn
Stanford
Oregon
Notre Dame
Pittsburgh
Sports Editor (4-1)
Kyle Van Fechtmann
Auburn
Stanford
Michigan St.
Notre Dame
Boston College
Auburn
USC
Michigan St.
Michigan
Pittsburgh
Asst. Sports Ed. (4-1)
David McKinney Sports Reporter (4-1)
Derek Thompson
Auburn
Stanford
Oregon
Notre Dame
Pittsburgh
Sports Writer (4-1)
Pierce Quinn
Auburn
USC
Oregon
Michigan
Boston College
Auburn
USC
Oregon
Michigan
Boston College
Sports Writer (3-2)
Andrew Monson Sports Writer (2-3)
C.J. Holmes Sports Writer (2-3)
Auburn
Stanford
Michigan St.
Notre Dame
Pittsburgh
A season opener against a divisional foe is a rarity. More often than not, the opening game for SEC teams is a pay-to-play surefire win against a lesser opponent. For Auburn, after a strong win against Arkansas, that definite win comes in week two. The San Jose State Spartans of the Mountain West Conference will roll onto the Plains on Saturday, Sept. 6, and barring a miracle, the Tigers should move to 2-0. The first half of the opener against Arkansas was a little tougher than most thought it would be, but backups did get their time near the end with Auburn up 45-21. Against a team like San Jose State, those backups should see more time. Here’s a list of players I think will have an impact in week two. 1. Peyton Barber: Redshirt freshman Peyton Barber got a few carries in garbage time against Arkansas, but should get more in week two. Barber had a lot of hype surrounding him going into A-Day, but was injured on his very first carry. Barber, who rushed for 1,700 yards and 22 touchdowns as a senior in high school, will have limited carries playing behind seniors Corey Grant and Cameron Artis-Payne, but should see more time against lesser opponents. 2. Roc Thomas Another player on the list of immensely talented Auburn running backs is true freshman Roc Thomas. Thomas was a five-star recruit out of high school, and has a crazy amount
of hype surrounding him. Thomas, who racked up 2,211 yards and 32 touchdowns last year in high school, didn’t see any time against Arkansas, but should things go as planned, he’ll probably get some touches against San Jose State come Saturday. 3. Tony Stevens This is the best depth Auburn has seen at wide receiver in some time. Sophomore Tony Stevens looked good on A-Day, but didn’t play until late in the fourth quarter against Arkansas. With Duke Williams and Sammie Coates leading the way, it might be hard for a young Stevens to get much time this year, but against San Jose State, he should have a chance to prove himself, and I see big things from him in the future. 4. Davonte Lambert Lambert was ranked as the No.1 overall D-line prospect in JUCO last year, and will likely start to make an impact soon for a D-line that looked lethargic, to say the least, in the first half against Arkansas. With the losses of Carl Lawson to injury and Dee Ford to the NFL, the Tigers need all the help they can get at defensive end, and Lambert looks like the right man for the job. 5. Melvin Ray Junior receiver Melvin Ray won’t be underrated much longer. Dating back to last year’s BCS National Championship, Ray has a touchdown in two straight games, both coming at the end of impressive runs after the catch. There’s a ton of hype surrounding Duke Williams, which could draw more and more defenders toward him and Coates, freeing up space for other receivers, Ray included. 2014 may just be the year of the receiver on the Plains, and I’m expecting Melvin Ray to be a huge part of it.
6
The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day
Thursday, September 4, 2014
SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
‘As the game gets longer, I get stronger’ Artis-Payne confident for breakout senior season after career-best performance in opener Derek Thompson Sports Writer
According to head football coach Gus Malzahn, senior running backs Cameron Artis-Payne and Corey Grant are still 1A and 1B on the depth chart, but Artis-Payne’s career-high 177yard performance against Arkansas helped him secure that No. 1 spot on the depth chart. “Cameron Artis-Payne really carried the load for us,” Malzahn said. “He did a solid job of running between the tackles, and he’s at his best as the game goes on.” Artis-Payne has been fighting for the starting job since he arrived on campus last spring, and said he wants to prove that he is more than just that downhill guy. “If you look back at when I was getting recruited I did it all,” Artis-Payne said. “When I got here, I kind of got put in a box from you all, but I mean, all and all, I feel like I can do it all.” While Malzahn has confidence in the two seniors to run the
offense, one could rush into the spotlight. “Cameron Artis-Payne is a very confident guy,” Malzahn said. “Got a lot of quality carries last year, especially early. So we know what we are getting with him.” Artis-Payne is confident in his durability needed for carrying the ball more times this season to secure that role. “Oh, I’m built to last,” Artis-Payne said. “I ain’t worried about that. I can do that. Twenty times a game, that ain’t nothing. I can do that.” Artis-Payne proved that against the Razorbacks when he carried it 26 times and showed that he can last the entire game, as he rushed for 122 yards in the second half alone. “As the game gets longer, I get stronger,” Artis-Payne said. “That’s what I pride myself on.” Artis-Payne thinks the second-year comfort level has helped Grant and himself tremendously. “We’re a lot further along just in the execution phase of where
we were last year,” Artis-Payne said. “It’s just being comfortable and being aware of your surroundings, and knowing what is coming next. It helps a lot.” According to Artis-Payne and Grant, Artis-Payne came into this season with a chip on his shoulder from last year, where he only averaged 4.6 carries a game as he sat behind Tre Mason’s record-breaking season. “Yeah, y’all saw me sitting on the bench last year,” Artis-Payne said. “I read everything that everybody puts out, talking about how they don’t know how the running game’s going to be. I’m here to prove it’s going to be all right.” Now it’s just about going out and performing, said Artis-Payne. “All those guys are very confident guys,” said offensive lineman Shon Coleman. “Any guy that we got back there in the backfield, we have confidence in them. We know they can go out there and perform well.”
3 SMALL
1-TOPPING
PIZZAS
12
$
Plus Tax & Delivery. Limited Time Offer.
AUBURN
1409 S. College St.
1.5 Miles West of the University next to Acapulco’s Mexican Grille
DELIVERY • CARRY-OUT LUNCH • DINNER • LATE NIGHT
826-5555 OVER 550 LOCATIONS
emily enfinger / assistant photo editor
Senior Cameron Artis-Payne had a career-high of 26 carries and 177 yards in their season opening 45-21 victory over Arkansas.
Thursday, September 4, 2014
The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day
7
TRANSFER TALK
“Duuuuke” takes Auburn by storm Kyle Van Fechtmann Assistant Sports Editor
EMILY ENFINGER / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR
‘Duke’ Williams had a memorable debut with nine catches for 154 yards and a touchdown.
Ever since Auburn landed the nation’s No. 1 junior college prospect in the spring, players and coaches have been raving about wide receiver D’haquille “Duke” Williams, noting how he gives the hurry-up no huddle offense yet another weapon. It did not take long for Williams to make a name for himself, as the sellout crowd at Jordan-Hare Stadium erupted in a “Duuuuke” chant nine times throughout the 45-21 victory over Arkansas because of his stellar nine receptions for 154 yards with a touchdown performance. Williams said he will always remember the fans chanting his nickname after his first reception in orange and blue. “This would have to be the best
feeling of my life,” Williams said. “It just made me feel like they love me. When they chanted that, I caught the chills. My heart just started beating faster. I’m just like, ‘there’s no way 90,000 just chanted my name.’ I ran to the sidelines and just had to take a seat, put a towel on my head and start thinking, ‘It’s really here. Everything I worked for.’’’ Although the team expected Williams to be a playmaker, none of them could have predicted his amazing first half of SEC football, which included seven catches, one of them good for 62 yards and another being an 18-yard touchdown. “I think everybody saw today he’s got playmaking ability in the passing game,” said head coach Gus Malzahn. “He attacks the ball, there’s no doubt. We had a plan if they played
us a certain way we’d attack them in the middle, and he executed.” Williams ran the no-huddle offense in junior college at Mississippi Gulf Coast, but he learned on the first drive against Arkansas that Malzahn’s offense is much faster. “I was looking left and right, like, ‘I got to get to my position,’ and by the time I got there, they had already snapped the ball,” Williams said. Williams said he has worked hard in order to keep up with Malzahn’s fast-paced offense. “I didn’t change my game up or anything,” Williams said. “I just got better, learned how to run routes better, got faster, stronger. Because in JUCO I didn’t really have that much weight, but now I’m 233 with 4.3 speed. That just makes it hard for them to tackle me.”
Thursday, September 4, 2014
The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day
7
TRANSFER TALK
“Duuuuke” takes Auburn by storm Kyle Van Fechtmann Assistant Sports Editor
EMILY ENFINGER / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR
‘Duke’ Williams had a memorable debut with nine catches for 154 yards and a touchdown.
Ever since Auburn landed the nation’s No. 1 junior college prospect in the spring, players and coaches have been raving about wide receiver D’haquille “Duke” Williams, noting how he gives the hurry-up no huddle offense yet another weapon. It did not take long for Williams to make a name for himself, as the sellout crowd at Jordan-Hare Stadium erupted in a “Duuuuke” chant nine times throughout the 45-21 victory over Arkansas because of his stellar nine receptions for 154 yards with a touchdown performance. Williams said he will always remember the fans chanting his nickname after his first reception in orange and blue. “This would have to be the best
feeling of my life,” Williams said. “It just made me feel like they love me. When they chanted that, I caught the chills. My heart just started beating faster. I’m just like, ‘there’s no way 90,000 just chanted my name.’ I ran to the sidelines and just had to take a seat, put a towel on my head and start thinking, ‘It’s really here. Everything I worked for.’’’ Although the team expected Williams to be a playmaker, none of them could have predicted his amazing first half of SEC football, which included seven catches, one of them good for 62 yards and another being an 18-yard touchdown. “I think everybody saw today he’s got playmaking ability in the passing game,” said head coach Gus Malzahn. “He attacks the ball, there’s no doubt. We had a plan if they played
us a certain way we’d attack them in the middle, and he executed.” Williams ran the no-huddle offense in junior college at Mississippi Gulf Coast, but he learned on the first drive against Arkansas that Malzahn’s offense is much faster. “I was looking left and right, like, ‘I got to get to my position,’ and by the time I got there, they had already snapped the ball,” Williams said. Williams said he has worked hard in order to keep up with Malzahn’s fast-paced offense. “I didn’t change my game up or anything,” Williams said. “I just got better, learned how to run routes better, got faster, stronger. Because in JUCO I didn’t really have that much weight, but now I’m 233 with 4.3 speed. That just makes it hard for them to tackle me.”