Game Day Special Section 09 25 14

SEPTEMBER 25, 2014

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Senior Spotlight: Trovon Reed ‘having fun’ again at cornerback

Auburn family reminisces about 75th anniversary of Jordan-Hare

Week three: Auburn in the NFL

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The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day

Thursday, September 25, 2014

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TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S PAGE 4 Editor’s take: Nick Marshall stays calm in late-game situations

PAGE 6 Freshman Focus: Daniel Carlson is stabilizing the kicking game

PAGE 7 Senior Spotlight: Trovon Reed is ‘having fun’ again at cornerback

PAGE 10 Revisiting 1989 team / Plainsman Picks

PAGE 8 Senior Spotlight: Corey Grant is more than a speed back PAGE 9 Auburn Family reminisces about 75th anniversary of Jordan-Hare

PAGE 11 Auburn in the NFL: Week three

Cover photo by: Raye May / PHOTO EDITOR

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Thursday, September 25, 2014

Editor’s TAKE

Nick Marshall stays icy calm in late-game situations Eric Wallace sports@ theplainsman.com

Never has the Jekyll and Hyde nature of Nick Marshall been on display better than what we saw Thursday night in Manhattan, Kansas.

At times, many of the bad tendencies Marshall displayed in 2013 - a lack of touch on deep balls, low passes that are batted down at the line and poor decisions on the zone read - reared their ugly head against the Wildcats.

It got to the point that the couch-seat coaches of social media began calling for Marshall to be yanked in favor of backup quarterback Jeremy Johnson.

But then came the moments of brilliance, like the pinpoint pass to D’haquille Williams

in the corner of the end zone for a third quarter touchdown.

Then it was his poised connection with Duke on third and nine in his own territory late in the fourth quarter, a completion that sealed Auburn’s victory over a scrappy Kansas State team fighting to claw back late in the game.

Marshall’s final pass Thursday, Sept. 18, is a prime example of why Marshall is, and should continue to be, Auburn’s starting quarterback: Gus Malzahn trusts him with the game.

“He has that knack for when the game is on the line,” Malzahn said of his senior quarterback. “He did it all last year, and he did it tonight. He helped find a way to help our team win the game.”

This isn’t the first, and likely won’t be the last time that Marshall stepped up when given the opportunity.

Whether it’s the oft-forgotten game-winner

to C.J. Uzomah against Mississippi State last season, or his improvisation on the tying touchdown of the Iron Bowl, Marshall has shown an icy calmness in late-game situations.

While it’s hard not to be critical of the quarterback as he continues to miss open receivers deep down the field, it’s also important to realize how easy he’s made late-game situations look as a starter.

Marshall has lost two games as a starter, and one of those required a last-minute drive from a Heisman trophy-winning quarterback.

We’ve yet to see the significant passing improvement from Marshall that Malzahn and his coaching staff raved about this offseason.

But one thing hasn’t changed: Marshall’s teammates and coaches fully trust him to make a play when his team needs it.

It’s about time Auburn’s fan base showed that trust as well.

RAYE MAY / PHOTO EDITOR

An Auburn fan supports Marshall before KSU game.

file

RAYe mAY / PHOTO EDITOR

Nick Marshall salutes the crowd after a touchdown run in the SEC Championship. win.

Nick Marshall ready to take the snap in the win over Kansas State. Marshall drove the Tigers down the field in late-game situations.

Thursday, September 25, 2014

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Thursday, September 25, 2014

FRESHMAN FOCUS

Carlson is stabilizing kicking game Andrew Monson Sports Writer

After a strong A-Day performance that earned him special teams MVP, Daniel Carlson won both the kicking and punting job for the Tigers this fall.

A redshirt freshman from Colorado Springs, Colorado, Carlson is the first Auburn player since 2002 to handle both duties.

This is not the first time Carlson has done both, though.

“I did it a little in high school,” Carlson said. “Obviously, it’s a whole new level here. But, mentally, I’ve prepared for it. There are kickers at other schools that have done it successfully. Of course it’s a little more rare, I guess, but I’m happy to take on the challenge.”

While he was recruited solely as a

kicker, Carlson said he feels he can be just as effective as a punter.

“I think I could be a really good punter if I continue to work on it,” Carlson said. “I’m kind of taller, built like a punter. If I can connect well, I can drop some bombs.”

In the preseason, head coach Gus Malzahn thought the young player may need time to adjust to doing both duties in a college game.

“I’m sure there will be some growing pains; we know that anytime you go with a redshirt freshman,” Malzahn said. “Right now, he won the job and he’s been very impressive.”

If the first few games are any indicators, Carlson may have already overcome any growing pains he has faced.

Against Arkansas, Carlson was

1-2 on field goals, kicked seven of his eight kickoffs for touchbacks, converted all six extra points and averaged 53.3 yards per punt.

His only hiccup was a 42-yard field goal try that bounced off the upright, but he answered with a 45-yarder in the second half.

His performance earned him SEC Freshman of the Week, an honor no kicker or punter has ever accomplished at Auburn.

Even with his first few performances, replacing former Auburn and current Philadelphia Eagles kicker Cody Parkey will be no small task according to special teams coach Scott Fountain.

“Cody was good,” Fountain said.

“It’s going to be tough to (replace Parkey), but it’s kind of a good standard for him to work towards.”

RAYE MAY / PHOTO EDITOR

Redshirt freshman Daniel Carlson at 2014 A-Day where he earned special teams MVP.

Thursday, September 25, 2014

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The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day

Senior spotlight

‘It’s a God thing:’ Former WR Reed ‘having fun’ again at cornerback Eric Wallace Sports Editor

It hasn’t been an easy transition to defense this year for senior cornerback Trovon Reed. But with two interceptions in Auburn’s last two games, the former wide receiver said he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I love it, man,” Reed said. “I’m back to having fun playing football.”

With Kansas State driving early in the fourth quarter Thursday night, Reed jumped on the end of a Jake Waters pass for his second career interception, both coming in back-to-back games during his senior season.

“I’m very proud of Trovon,” Malzahn said. “You’re talking about a guy that hasn’t played defense but for the spring, and then to go out there and plays one of the better receivers in college football, and to play him pretty well. I was very impressed.”

Reed’s journey from rarely targeted wide receiver to contributor at cornerback is one he said can only be credited to the man upstairs.

“It’s a God thing, man,” Reed said. “I talk to Quan Bray every time before the game and he tells me that a lot of people don’t have the story that we have.”

The story is a tragic one, of both players suffering the loss of their mothers.

“We got angels over us,” Reed said.

“Some people tell you that and you just blow it off, but me and him have been through the same thing with losing our moms. We really do have angels over us.”

Reed credits his successful transition with the family he’s built in the secondary alongside experienced players such as Jonathon Mincy, Jonathan Jones and Jermaine Whitehead.

“The defensive guys, they took me in with no problem,” Reed said. “They auto-

matically put me as one of the leaders.”

Additionally, Reed said he credits Auburn defensive backs coach Melvin Smith with instilling confidence in him at his new position.

“Coach Smith is one of the best to ever do it,” Reed said. “I always tell him if he’s got so much confidence in me, I can’t let him down.”

That confidence has led to a growing comfort for Reed at a position he’s wanted to play ever since he left high school.

“I actually wanted to play it when I first got here,” Reed said. “I went to all the All-American games as a corner just to show them that I wanted to play there.”

While his story didn’t follow the route he always wanted, Reed said he is trying to fashion his own ending to his story.

“There’s an ending to every story, and I’m trying to make this one a great ending,” Reed said.

RAYE MAY / PHOTO EDITOR

Trovon Reed after his interception in the win against Kansas St.

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Thursday, September 25, 2014

Senior spotlight

Corey Grant looks to be more than a speed back this year Andrew Monson Sports Writer

Which running backs are physically ready to help out the team and make an impact is a question college coaches have to answer before every football season.

Known throughout his career as a speedster, Auburn running back Corey Grant has worked to become an all-around back.

The 5’11,” 205-pound senior has run for 203 yards on 26 carries and a touchdown in an increased role this season.

His journey to this point has been an unusual one.

A dual-sport athlete at Opelika High School, Grant was a standout in both football and track, earning All-American honors in football and winning the 6A 100-meter dash in consecutive years.

His remarkable speed earned him scholarships from both Alabama and Auburn. Even

with his proximity to Auburn, Grant decided to attend Alabama.

But after a redshirt season, Grant had a change of heart and transferred to Auburn, where he walked on and sat out the 2011 season because of NCAA transfer rules.

During that season, Grant played on the scout team and was praised for his dedication on and off the field.

“Corey Grant has always had such a great work ethic,” said running backs coach Tim Horton. “The big thing for me, as a coach and for our team, is that you continue to improve.”

Grant’s hard work paid off, and he was awarded a scholarship after his redshirt freshman season at Auburn.

After having a limited role in 2012, head coach Gus Malzahn found a way to utilize Grant’s speed. In 2013, Grant ran for 647 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 9.8 yards per carry in mainly a speed back role.

This offseason, Grant worked tirelessly both in the weight room and on the practice field to earn carries between the tackles, which has prepared him through the first three games.

“Corey’s always been a strong guy in the weight room,” Malzahn said. “Any time you run the ball downhill in spring and everything that goes with that, he’s getting more comfortable and finishing runs, but he’s a very strong young man.”

His teammates have also taken notice of his desire to get stronger and more physical.

“He’s one of the strongest guys on this team,” said center Reese Dismukes. “He’s pretty fast, too.”

With the added strength, Grant has been running with more purpose and aggression this season.

“Going into every game this year, I’m trying to be a more physical back,” Grant said.

“As I’m running the ball, there have been some

times where I could have got out of bounds, but I’d rather lower my shoulder and try to break that tackle or get two or three more yards.”

Offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee has admired Grant’s determination to improve his physicality.

“Corey, for a guy that fast, usually those guys are trying to get down and try to get out of bounds, he loves to finish runs,” Lashlee said.

“He’s finishing downhill, and he’s not dancing, which is really good. He’s really developed as an overall running back.”

Even with his new mentality, Grant said he knows he must continue to improve.

“Running inside, I’m following my block and making sure I’m making the right cuts,” Grant said. “The physical part of it is not one thing I focus on, it’s just making my right reads and trying to be more like Cam (Artis-Payne).

He makes good reads. Our inside runs, that’s what I’m trying to get better at.”

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RAYE MAY / PHOTO EDITOR

Corey Grant rushed for 203 yards and one touchdown in the first three games.

Thursday, September 25, 2014

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The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day

CONTRIBUTED BY tiffany Blackmon / au photo services

The original Auburn Stadium photographed in 1948 before it became Cliff Hare Sadium in 1951.

CONTRIBUTED BY tiffany Blackmon / au photo services

The second stadium at Auburn University, Cliff Hare Stadium, photographed in 1960 after the initial expansion.

Auburn Family reminisces about 75th anniversary of Jordan-Hare David McKinney Sports rEPORTER

The Auburn Tigers played their first game in Jordan-Hare Stadium 75 years ago.

When it opened Nov. 9, 1939, it was simply known as Auburn Stadium and housed less than 8,000 fans.

Since then, it has been home to two national championships, 12 SEC championships, three Heisman trophy winners and 68 consensus All-Americans.

Jordan-Hare is a special place for Auburn fans, students and alumni, and it means something different for all of them.

“The stadium is a place where I have lots of

memories,” said Ryan Wilson, class of 2014 graduate and former Plainsman. “Auburn football kind of started my love for Auburn. Being a student, it was extended to other areas, but it’s neat to know where your passion for Auburn started, and mine was in that stadium.”

Jacob Taunton, senior in biomedical sciences and current Plainsman, said he thinks about the memories he’s made in Jordan-Hare not just on game day, but every day.

“I walk by Jordan-Hare everyday on my way to class,” Taunton said. “To say that it’s iconic would be an understatement, and I always enjoy that was the stadium where the Kick-Six happened.”

Recently there has been talk of expansion in an effort to keep up with SEC foes and their ever growing seat capacity, but Taunton said he enjoys the intimate feel Jordan-Hare Stadium offers.

“All these other schools are getting renovations,” Taunton said. “Yet our stadium stands timeless because, just like the University, it’s big but it doesn’t lose the feeling of intimacy.”

Taylor Rowell, member of the Tiger Hosts, said Jordan-Hare is what made him decide to come to Auburn.

“Jordan-Hare is what sold me on coming to Auburn,” Rowell said. “I was unsure on where to go to college until the LSU game in 2010.

Seeing the energy of that stadium was what won me over.”

Rowell added that the resolve of fans in Jordan-Hare when adversity hits is what he’ll remember from his time at Auburn.

“When I think of Jordan-Hare, I think of the fans at the Georgia game last year,” Rowell said. “When we blew the 20-point lead, I just remember the ‘It’s great to be an Auburn Tiger’ cheer. There’s not many stadiums where you get the entire stadium saying how they love their team after blowing a 20-point lead at home to a rival, especially with how much was one the line.”

The official 75th anniversary is Nov. 9.

CONTRIBUTED BY tIFFANY blackmon / au photo services

RAYE MAY / PHOTO EDITOR

Cliff Hare Stadium in 1951, three years after the initial renovation to Auburn Stadium.

Present-day Jordan-Hare Stadium filled to capacity of 87,451 fans at the 2014 A-Day game, where Auburn accepted their SEC rings.

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The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day

PLAINSMAN PICKS

Revisiting 1989 Head coach Pat Dye led the 1989 Auburn Tigers football team to a 10-2 overall record, which was good for their third consecutive SEC Championship.

Besides another SEC title under Dye, this season was particularly memorable because of the 1989 Iron Bowl on Dec. 2, which was the first time in history that the Crimson Tide traveled to face Auburn in Jordan-Hare Stadium.

The Tigers went on to win the in-state rivalry game over Alabama by a score of 30-20.

After their victory over Ohio State in the Hall of Fame Bowl, their 10-2 (6-1 in the SEC) record placed Auburn at No. 6 in both major polls at the end of the season.

Auburn’s lone conference loss came when they traveled to Neyland Stadium to face No. 12 Tennessee, but they secured wins against Kentucky, LSU, Mississippi State, Florida, Georgia and Alabama.

The members from the 1989 SEC Championship team will be celebrating their 25th anniversary together on Pat Dye Field prior to the 3 p.m. kickoff against Louisiana Tech.

Auburn vs.

La. Tech

Derek Thompson

Auburn

Sports Writer (14-5)

David McKinney

Arizona St. vs.

UCLA

UCLA

Sports Writer (13-6)

Arkansas vs.

Texas A&M

Kentucky vs.

Vanderbilt

Indiana vs.

Maryland

Texas A&M

Kentucky

Indiana

Auburn

UCLA

Arkansas

Kentucky

Indiana

Auburn

Arizona St.

Texas A&M

Kentucky

Indiana

Auburn

UCLA

Texas A&M

Kentucky

Maryland

Auburn

UCLA

Texas A&M

Kentucky

Maryland

Auburn

Arizona St.

Texas A&M

Kentucky

Maryland

Auburn

Arizona St.

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Sports Reporter (14-5)

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Auburn IN THE

No. 3: No. 3: Miami 20, Miami 20, Auburn 18 Auburn 18 (1984) After hitting a game-winning field goal in week two, Cody Parkey continues to(1984) lead the Tigers in the season-opening matchup beNFL with his 3-for-3 field goal performance, including a 51-yarder,This in the Eagles week three win.

Contributed by JAMES McDonald / Philadelphia Eagles

Rookie kicker Cody Parkey has 35 points in his first three games for Philly.

Name (No.) Cody Parkey (1) Carlos Rogers (27) Cam Newton (1) Nick Fairley (98) Jerraud Powers (25) Ben Grubbs (66) Karlos Dansby (56) Dee Ford (55) King Dunlap (77) Greg Robinson (79) Brandon Mosley (67) Jay Prosch (45) Sen’Derrick Marks (99) Pat Sims (90) Jason Campbell (17) Quentin Groves (53) Josh Harris (47) Daren Bates (53) Corey Lemonier (96) Josh Bynes

Team Philadelphia Eagles Oakland Raiders Carolina Panthers Detroit Lions Arizona Cardinals New Orleans Saints Cleveland Browns Kansas City Chiefs San Diego Chargers St. Louis Rams New York Giants Houston Texans Jacksonville Jaguars Oakland Raiders Cincinnati Bengals Tennessee Titans Atlanta Falcons St. Louis Rams San Francisco 49ers Detroit Lions

Pos. K CB QB DT CB G LB LB T OT G FB DT DT QB OLB LS LB LB LB

tween college football powerhouses was with bad blood.

Week 3filled Statistics When theon No.FGs 1 Tigers andvs. theWSH No. 10 Three-for-three in win Seven tackles, solos, loss atinNE Hurricanesfour met at GiantsinStadium East 250 passing yards and oneaTD vs.between PIT Rutherford, N.J., it was battle One forced fumble, tworightful tackles vs. to GBthe two sides that had claim Four solo win vs. SFhaving iden1983tackles nationalin title.

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