Game Day Tab 11.12.15

November 12, 2015

AUBURN vs. GEORGIA, 11:00 a.m.

The Auburn Plainsman

GAME DAY PAGE

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Depth Charts

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Running Backs: Kerryon Johnson

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Injury Update: Defense

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The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day

Thursday, November 12, 2015

TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE 10 204 S 8th st. Opelika AL 36801 www.studio3-19.com

Kerryon Johnson emerging

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as backfield threat

Persistence finally paying off for Auburn

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Carlton Davis making a name for himself

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Full depth chart for

Several defenders strug-

Auburn and Georgia

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gling with injuriess

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The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day

Opinion

College Station is a must-visit for any college football fan Emily Shoffit Sports Reporter

itary Walk, Bonfire Memorial, and the 12th Man. It's overwhelming compared to Auburn, and you're going to do a lot of walking, but it's worth it.

The Bar Scene

The Auburn Family is known for traveling well for football games, especially around SEC country. The most recent trip was to College Station, Texas, home of the 12th Man, Kyle Field and so many traditions that it's not even understandable why that many traditions exist.

If you've yet to make the trek to Aggieland, here's why you should: Campus A whopping 58,000 students take up the 5,200 acres of land that campus sits on. Architecturally sound buildings surrounded by green space and oaks make A&M a sanctuary surrounded by a flat, endless Texas.

There’s multiple sights and statues to see, including Mil-

Auburn's bars are immensely inferior to A&M's famous Northgate, the hotspot of Aggie nightlife.

Given, there's a population gap between Auburn and College Station, but that's no reason for Auburn to have about five frequented bars and Northgate to be on the upwards of 30. The nightlife at A&M varies, and there's sure to be a bar that fits your stereotype or likeness.

Also, there's a program called CARPOOL that offers a free ride home from downtown so you always have a sober driver, even after the bars close.

Kyle Field If this isn't the best stadium in the SEC, I don't know what is. The recent renovations have put this stadium over the

top, so far that it trumps numerous NFL stadiums. The atmosphere during the entire game was phenomenal (this is when the ridiculous number of traditions, cheers and chants come into play). The stadium was boisterous throughout the game, and fans managed to remain cool and kind to the only cheering Auburn fan in part of the student section throughout the game.

I entered College Station expecting to experience a still Big 12-like atmosphere. Some Aggies were having identity problems, as I listened to one large tailgate sing Alabama's edited version of Dixieland Delight and followed it up with Rocky Top, which made no sense. Aside from that, I had to cut the newbies some slack.

Even if Auburn had walked away with a loss Saturday, I know College Station would have been worth the trip.

The only thing I don't recommend doing if you plan this trip is getting an 8 a.m. return flight to Atlanta. You might think it's doable, but don't push yourself by cutting it close.

You can thank me later.

Emily can be reached at Sports@ThePlainsman.com.

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The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Auburn IN THE As the 2015 NFL season kicks off, each Game Day tab will take a look at how the Auburn Tigers who are in the NFL fared the previous week. Several Tigers who entered the 2015 NFL Draft were selected, and some signed as undrafted free agents, but still made their team’s 53-man roster.

Others have established themselves as veteran presences in the League.

File photo

Quan Bray got his first NFL action of his career with the Colts last week.

Name (No.) Tre Mason (27) Neiko Thorpe (31) Cam Newton (1) Karlos Dansby (56) Sen’Derrick Marks (99) Quan Bray (11) Josh Bynes (99) Nick Fairley (98) Greg Robinson (79) Dee Ford (30) Brandon King (25) Sammie Coates (14) Angelo Blackson (95) Chris Davis (43) Cameron Artis-Payne (44) Nick Marshall (41) Corey Grant (33)

Robenson Therezie (27)

Team St. Louis Rams Oakland Raiders Carolina Panthers Cleveland Browns Jacksonville Jaguars Indianapolis Colts Detroit Lions St. Louis Rams St. Louis Rams Kansas City Chiefs New England Patriots Pittsburgh Steelers Tennessee Titans San Francisco 49ers Carolina Panthers Jacksonville Jaguars Jacksonville Jaguars Atlanta Falcons

Pos. RB CB QB LB DT WR LB DT T DE S WR DT CB RB CB RB S

Week 9 Recorded three carries in 21-18 loss Three tackles in 38-35 loss to PITT 15-30 w/ 297 yds, 3 TDs in win over GB 11 tackles in loss to CIN

One tackle in loss to NYJ Returned KO and punt in win over DEN BYE week No stats recorded in loss to MIN Starting tackle for STL BYE week One tackle in win over WAS Didn’t record a catch in win over KC Recorded second career sack in win Promoted to active roster, one tackle Healthy scratch against GB 4 kick returns for 117 yds in loss to NYJ Placed on season-ending IR Recorded a tackle in loss to SF

Statistics

Fun with numbers: Auburn versus Georgia Nathan Deal Sports writer

• Auburn is 55-55-8 against Georgia.

• The Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry has been played

118 times, fifth-most in college football history. The only rivalries that have seen more meetings are Minnesota-Wisconsin (124), Miami (Ohio)-Cincinnati and Kansas-Missouri (120 each) and North Carolina-Virginia (119).

• Auburn played its first football game Feb. 20, 1892, against Georgia. The Tigers won 10-0 at Piedmont Park in Atlanta.

• This will mark only the third time in 24 years that Auburn and Georgia meet as unranked teams. Georgia is 2-0 in such games, beating Auburn 37-27 in 1991 and 31-24 in 2009. Both games were in Athens.

• Auburn is 11-15-2 against Georgia at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The Bulldogs are the only SEC team besides newly added Texas A&M that has a winning record when visiting Auburn.

• Georgia has won seven of the last nine meetings against Auburn. The Tigers’ wins came in 2010 and

2013, seasons in which they made the BCS National Championship Game.

• Mark Richt has a career record of 9-5 against Auburn, including a 4-3 record at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

• This game will be Auburn’s fourth 11 a.m. kickoff this season, the most for the Tigers in a single season since 2012.

• Auburn held Texas A&M to 10 points in a dominant road win. The 10 points allowed is the fewest for Auburn in a road win since Sept. 13, 2008, when the Tigers beat Mississippi State 3-2.

• Auburn’s 16-point win at Texas A&M is the largest road win for the Tigers since 2013, when Auburn defeated Tennessee 55-23.

• Auburn rushed for 311 yards against Texas A&M, the most in a game for the Tigers this season. Auburn is 11-1 under coach Gus Malzahn when rushing for at least 300 yards.

• This will be the fourth time since 2006 that Auburn enters a home game against Georgia with a winning record. The Tigers are 2-1 in the first three occasions, losing in 2006 and winning in 2010 and 2013.

FIle Photo

Ricardo Louis strolls into the end zone after catching the game-winning touchdown against Georgia in Auburn’s 43-38 win on Nov. 16, 2013.

Thursday, November 12, 2015

The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day

CONFUZZLED? GO90.

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The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Persistence is finally paying off for Auburn Opinion

Evan McCullers Assistant sports editor

After four games, Auburn was lifeless.

All the preseason hopes, dreams and expectations of the Auburn faithful only made the Tigers’ 2-2 record that much more disappointing.

In a fateful 27 days, Auburn went from No. 6 in the preseason AP poll to not receiving a vote, Jeremy Johnson went from Heisman hopeful to backup and Gus Malzahn went from being regarded as one of the nation’s best up-and-coming coaches to an underperforming one with a $4 million salary.

The passing offense was turnover-prone, the running game was not nearly as dominant as years past and the defense was porous under new coordinator Will Muschamp.

Throughout the struggles, players and coaches said they would continue to work hard and focus on the weeks ahead, but fans were understandably skeptical. After all, they heard the same message in 2012, when Auburn finished 3-9 with no SEC wins.

But unlike the 2012 team, this year’s team backed up its words with actions. The Tigers kept fighting, and as promised, they have improved.

After a win over San Jose State, Auburn earned its first SEC win in a tough Thursday night game at Kentucky. The offense emerged, posting a then-season-high 407 yards, and the defense came up with a stop on fourth down to seal the game.

Two heartbreaking losses followed, including a four-overtime defeat at Arkansas and a one-possession loss at home against Ole Miss.

Even in the losses, Auburn continued to show improvement and fight.

The offense continued to progress, posting season-highs in both games, and the defense — despite giving up a season-high in yardage to Ole Miss — continued to make timely plays.

Then came the complete game fans, coaches and players have been searching for since Auburn escaped the Georgia Dome with a win to open the season.

The Tigers traveled to College Station to face Texas A&M at Kyle Field, one of college football’s most intimidating venues.

Johnson, filling in for the injured Sean White, led the offense to a season-high in yardage for the fourth consecutive game, a feat not accomplished at Auburn since the first four games of the 2003 season.

After surrendering 558 yards to Ole Miss, the defense held dynamic quarterback Kyler Murray and the Texas A&M offense to 303 yards, the largest drop in back-to-back SEC games since 2010.

The 26-10 score didn’t do the performance justice. It was a dominating effort, one that few considered possible after a blowout defeat at LSU and an ugly home loss to Mississippi State.

Auburn won’t beat the best team in the nation when it rolls into town for the Iron Bowl on Nov. 28, but the Tigers face a struggling Georgia at home and have a sure win left on the schedule in the form of lowly Idaho.

Malzahn’s squad will likely finish 7-5 in a season in which it could have easily slid to 4-8.

The Tigers will be playing in the postseason instead of watching the bowl games from the sofa, and they have continued to improve when many expected them to quit.

After being left for dead in the cellar of the SEC West, Auburn is very much alive.

Evan can be reached at Sports@ThePlainsman.com.

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adam Sparks / senior photographer

Auburn defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson (left) and offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee embrace after the Tigers’ 26-10 victory over Texas A&M on Nov. 7.

Thursday, November 12, 2015

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The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day

Quarterback: Jeremy Johnson - 6 OR Sean White - 13

Left Tackle: Shon Coleman - 72 Robert Leff - 70

Defensive End: DaVonte Lambert - 6 Byron Cowart - 9

Linebacker: Justin Garrett - 26 Cassanova McKinzy - 8

Kicker: Daniel Carlson - 38 Ian Shannon - 43

Running Back: Peyton Barber - 25 Kerryon Johnson - 21

Left Guard: Alex Kozan - 63 Devonte Danzey - 53

Defensive Tackle: Dontavius Russell - 95 Devaroe Lawrence - 94

Field Corner: Jonathan Jones - 3 Blake Countess - 24

Punter: Kevin Phillips - 91 Ian Shannon - 43

Center: Austin Golson - 73 Devonte Danzey - 53

Defensive Tackle: Montravius Adams - 1 Maurice Swain - 90

Field Safety: Blake Countess - 24 Johnathan Ford - 23

Long Snapper: Ike Powell - 69 Zach Wade - 68

Right Guard: Braden Smith - 71 Will Adams - 74

Buck: Carl Lawson - 55 Cassanova McKinzy - 8

Boundary Safety: Tray Matthews - 28 Johnathan Ford - 23

Holder: Tyler Stovall - 29 Kevin Phillips - 91

Right Tackle: Avery Young - 56 Mike Horton - 64

Linebacker: Tre’ Williams - 30 Kris Frost - 17

Boundary Corner: Carlton Davis - 18 Blake Countess - 24

Punt Returner: Marcus Davis - 80 Jason Smith - 4

Nickel: Tim Irvin - 22 Blake Countess - 24

Kick Returner: Johnathan Ford - 23 Kerryon Johnson - 21

H-Back: Chandler Cox - 27 OR Kamryn Pettway - 36 Tight End: Jalen Harris - 85 Chris Laye - 46 Wide Receiver: Ricardo Louis - 5 Marcus Davis - 80 Melvin Ray - 82 Jason Smith - 4 Tony Stevens - 8

GEORGIA DEPTH CHART Quarterback: Left Tackle: Greyson Lambert - 11 OR John Theus - 71 Brice Ramsey - 12 Aulden Bynum - 70

Defensive End: Sterling Bailey - 58 Josh Dawson - 91

Outside Linebacker: Leonard Floyd - 84 Lorenzo Carter - 7

Kicker: Marshall Morgan - 13 Collin Barber - 32

Running Back: Sony Michel - 1 Keith Marshall - 4

Left Guard: Isaiah Wynn - 77 Dyshon Sims - 55

Defensive Tackle: John Atkins - 97 James DeLoach - 89

Outside Linebacker: Tim Kimbrough - 42 Leonard Floyd - 84

Punter: Collin Barber - 32 Will Cowart - 97

Fullback: Quayvon Hicks - 48 Christian Payne - 41

Center: Brandon Kublanow - 54 Hunter Long - 66

Nose Tackle: Chris Mayes - 93 John Atkins - 97

Cornerback: Juwuan Briscoe - 12 Aaron Davis - 35

Long Snapper: Nathan Theus - 49 Trent Frix - 69

Tight End: Jeb Blazevich - 83 Jay Rome - 87

Right Guard: Greg Pyke - 73 Lamont Gaillard - 53

Inside Linebacker: Jake Ganus - 51 Reggie Carter - 45

Strong Safety: Quincy Mauger - 20 Johnathan Abram - 30

Holder: Faton Bauta - 10 Collin barber - 32

Wide Receiver: Malcolm Mitchell - 26 Terry Godwin - 5 Reggie Davis - 81 Isaiah McKenzie - 16

Right Tackle: Kolton Houston - 75 Kendall Baker - 65

Inside Linebacker: Jordan Jenkins - 59 Davin Bellamy - 17

Free Safety: Dominick Sanders - 24 Jarvis Wilson - 19

Punt Returner: Reggie Davis - 81 Isaiah McKenzie - 16

Cornerback: Malkom Parrish - 14 Rico McGraw - 36

Kick Returner: Reggie Davis - 81 Isaiah McKenzie - 16

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The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Opinion

College football games to watch in week eleven Nathan Deal Sports writer

No. 12 Oklahoma at No. 4 Baylor, 7 p.m. (ABC) The Big 12’s November self-cannibalization began last Saturday, as undefeated Oklahoma State blew out previously undefeated TCU. This week, the Big 12 stage will belong to the Sooners and Bears.

Baylor has breezed through its first eight games, only being challenged in a 31-24 win over Kansas State in the Bears’ most recent game.

In that game, true freshman Jarrett Stidham threw for 419 yards and three touchdowns in his first collegiate start.

The Sooners have a head-scratching loss to hapless Texas on their resume, but have looked impressive outside of that lackluster outing and are looking to avenge last year’s 48-14 humiliation against Baylor in Norman.

No. 3 Alabama at No. 20 Mississippi State, 2:30 p.m.

(CBS) The Crimson Tide have been arguably the best team in the nation since their loss at home to Ole Miss. All Alabama has

done since is win six straight games by a total score of 18977, field the best rush defense in the SEC, have its star running back emerge as the Heisman favorite and seize control of the nation’s toughest division.

Derrick Henry had a statement game against LSU, rushing 38 times for 210 yards and three touchdowns, while the Tide defense limited Leonard Fournette to 19 carries for 31 yards and a late touchdown.

The Tide’s quest for the SEC West crown isn’t over yet, however. A tough test against Mississippi State awaits in Starkville, and Dak Prescott would love nothing more than to get a win over Alabama his senior year.

Arkansas at No. 9 LSU, 6:15 p.m. (ESPN) Bret Bielema’s team has been living on the edge this season.

A 53-52 win over Ole Miss not only gave Arkansas a winning record, but it also kept the Hogs alive in the SEC West race. Arkansas is 3-2 in SEC play and has a chance to make a big statement in Death Valley.

The only problem, though, is that Arkansas will face Leonard Fournette a week after a humbling loss to Alabama. LSU was overpowered in every area against the Crimson Tide, but the Tigers know they’re not out of playoff contention by a long shot.

The road to redemption begins at home.

No. 5 Oklahoma State at Iowa State, 2:30 p.m. (ABC) The Cowboys are in the AP top five for the first time since 2011, when the Pokes went 12-1 and won the Big 12, nearly making it to the BCS championship game. The one loss, however? A 37-31 loss in double overtime against Iowa State in Ames.

Oklahoma State has had a strong season, winning all of its games and making a statement in a 49-29 win over TCU, while Iowa State has had a rough season, starting 3-6. But the Cyclones have shown moments of brilliance this year, including a 24-0 win over Texas two weeks ago.

If the Cowboys want to keep their playoff hopes alive, they need to make sure history doesn’t repeat itself.

No. 25 Memphis at No. 16 Houston, 6 p.m. (ESPN2) The Tigers were considered a darkhorse playoff contender thanks to a high-powered offense and a strong win over Ole Miss. Those playoff hopes were crushed last Saturday, as Navy invaded the Liberty Bowl and left with a 45-20 win.

Now, the AAC’s lone glimmer of hope for national title contention is Houston, led by first-year head coach Tom Herman, who was the offensive coordinator for the 2014 National Champion Ohio State Buckeyes.

This game will likely decide the American West division.

Nathan can be reached at Sports@ThePlainsman.com.

Know your opponent

Georgia planning to play multiple quarterbacks Evan McCullers

Assistant Sports Editor

While Auburn is still unsure who its starting quarterback will be when the team trots onto Pat Dye field Saturday, its opponent has already announced who will take the snaps — or some of them, at least.

Georgia will play at least two quarterbacks when the Bulldogs travel to Auburn for the 119th playing of the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry.

Junior Greyson Lambert and sophomore Brice Ramsey will share snaps under center, Georgia coach Mark Richt said on Sunday, per Marc Weiszer of the Athens Banner-Herald.

Lambert and Ramsey have shared snaps

throughout the year, but Lambert has been the most productive, throwing for 1,340 yards and 10 touchdowns.

The Bulldogs turned to junior Faton Bauta for their game against Florida, with disastrous results.

Bauta tossed four interceptions in Georgia’s 27-3 loss to the Gators in Jacksonville, prompting a change back to Lambert and Ramsey.

The statistics didn’t stand out — the two combined for 90 passing yards — but they did not throw an interception in the Bulldogs’ 27-3 win over Kentucky.

Lambert started the game, and though Ramsey led two series in the first half, it was the starter who received the majority of the snaps, including all in the second half.

“If we were having success we were just going to kind of keep with whoever was in there,” Richt said. “It wasn’t so much a hot hand, but just the continuity of how things were going.”

The Bulldogs rushed for 300 yards in the win over the Wildcats, some of which came out of the ‘Wild Dawg,’ Georgia’s adaptation of the popular Wildcat formation.

Richt said Georgia would continue to deploy the formation against Auburn with running back Sony Michel and wide receiver Terry Godwin taking the snaps.

While both of Georgia’s traditional-style quarterbacks are similar in style, Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said they are “a little different,” and the Tigers will have to prepare accordingly.

Taylor carpenter /The red & black

Brice Ramsey (12) is one of several quarterbacks who will take snaps for Georgia against Auburn.

Thursday, November 12, 2015

The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day

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The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Running backs

Kerryon Johnson carving out a role in the backfield Sam Butler

Sports Editor

Kerryon Johnson’s best game at Jordan-Hare Stadium came around a year ago — before he was an Auburn Tiger.

Johnson was fresh off leading his Madison Academy Mustangs to their third consecutive AHSAA 3A State Championship — the game was played in Auburn — and he lit up the stat sheet, running for 178 yards and four touchdowns on only eight carries, while also recording a pick-6.

He committed to coach Gus Malzahn, running backs coach Tim Horton and Auburn in April of 2014, when Johnson was still a junior.

Fast-forward a year and a half, and Johnson has established himself as a true difference-maker in Malzahn’s offense as a true freshman.

As of Nov. 8, Johnson has accrued 164 yards on 40 carries, and he scored his first collegiate touchdown in Lexington.

Johnson’s athleticism has been evident from day one, as he’s assumed the mantle of the Wildcat quarterback in Malzahn’s offense.

When he is in the Wildcat, Mazlahn typicall utilizes him in a change-of-direction-type role, choosing to have John-

son follow lead blockers with a receiver faking a motion sweep.

He even broke out his patented elusiveness earlier in the year.

Against Arkansas, Johnson streaked down the sideline and hurdled a Razorback defender.

And with the emergence of Jovon Robinson, coupled with the strong running of Peyton Barber and the talent-laden Roc Thomas, Johnson finds himself as one part of a four-headed monster in the backfield.

“I will say this, we have confidence in all of the running backs that we have,” Malzahn said. “Peyton has done a super job, Jovon has done a super job. Roc Thomas, who has battled some injuries, and Kerryon Johnson is developing into his own little role right there. We have confidence in all of them.”

Johnson has shown himself to be a capable runner — his season-high is nine carries for 36 yards against Kentucky — but he is just as elusive out of the backfield as a receiver.

Against Texas A&M, Johnson caught three passes for 43 yards, including a 34-yarder down the sideline in the third quarter.

He nearly scored his second touchdown of the year early

in the second quarter, but stepped out at the 1-yard line as he tried to dive into the end zone.

Despite his steadily increasing stats, Johnson was content to play the background, instead praising the offense as a whole as it climbs out of an early funk.

“We knew what we had,” Johnson said. “We were in a hole a few games ago but we still had the same outlook.

We knew what we had, we knew what we could do if we just put together a whole game, and we finally did that this week. Now we’ve just got to keep doing that, keep building upon it … We’ve just got to keep pushing and keep pushing until the job’s done.”

As Auburn heads into the final three games of the year, the offense finally appears to be clicking, similar to what it looked like in 2013 when the Tigers led the nation in rushing.

Although it won’t reach those levels of production this season, Malzahn and Co. look to have a capable workhorse for the future waiting in the wings in Johnson.

Given that he has a minimum of two more years on The Plains, Johnson could find himself as one of the better backs to come out of “Running Back U” when his time is up.

dakota sumpter / senior photographer

Kerryon Johnson (21) reaches for the end zone in Auburn’s 26-10 win over Texas A&M on Nov. 7.

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Freshman Focus

The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day

Davis progressing quickly in secondary Evan McCullers

assistant sports editor

Dakota sumpter / senior photographer

Carlton Davis intercepts a pass against Texas A&M on Nov. 7.

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Late in the first quarter of Auburn’s 2610 win versus Texas A&M, Kyler Murray lofted a pass down the middle of the field. Waiting on the other end were speedy A&M wide receiver Damion Ratley and Auburn cornerback Carlton Davis.

Ratley secured the pass in the end zone for a moment. Davis, with only his left hand on the football as the two tumbled to the ground, appeared to have lost the battle, but the true freshman didn’t quit.

Instead, he rolled onto Ratley and ripped the ball away for an interception.

“When I saw him throw it, I just knew I had to make a play,” Davis said. “There was no other way but for me to make a play, so that’s what I did.”

Davis has become familiar with oneon-one coverage during his short time

on The Plains, and more often than not, he’s made plays such as the one at Texas A&M. The 18-year-old has drawn matchups with some of the top receivers in the SEC, including Ole Miss’s Laquon Treadwell and Mississippi State’s De’Runnya Wilson, who could be selected in the first round of next year’s NFL Draft.

Davis, who was playing at Miami Norland Senior High School at this time last year, has taken his lumps.

He gave up a touchdown to Wilson, missed a tackle in the fourth overtime against Arkansas that allowed receiver Drew Morgan to score the game-winning touchdown and was beaten on several occasions by Treadwell, including a fourth quarter touchdown.

Davis has more than offset his struggles with his production, as he has played in every game for Auburn and recorded

31 tackles, three interceptions and four pass breakups.

He has quickly earned the respect of his teammates, including senior linebacker Justin Garrett.

“They always try to pick on Carlton because he’s a freshman cornerback,” Garrett said after the Texas A&M game.

“He holds his own … He’s a warrior. I’m glad I have him out on the football field with us.”

The Miami native has also drawn rave reviews from defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, who recruited Davis during his time as head coach at Florida and continued his pursuit after moving to Auburn.

“I wish we had a lot more like Carlton — tough, competitive, football instincts, football IQ,” Muschamp said on Oct. 25.

“That guy’s got it. It is important to him.

[I] wish we had more like him.”

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The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day

Thursday, November 12, 2015

quarterbacks

Malzahn undecided on starting quarterback Evan McCullers

assistant sports editor

After Jeremy Johnson’s solid performance against Texas A&M last week, Auburn’s quarterback competition is up and running once again.

Coach Gus Malzahn has yet to announce whether Johnson or Sean White will start in Auburn’s game against Georgia, and the signal-caller may not be revealed until the starters are announced Saturday in Jordan-Hare Stadium.

“Not for sure right now who will be the first guy out there,” Malzahn said. “We’ll see after we practice this week, but I will say this: We’ve got confidence in both these guys. Both these guys have won SEC games on the road, and I think that says a lot. I know our players and coaches have confidence in both of them also.”

After Johnson threw six interceptions in Auburn’s first three games, White was named the starter against Mississippi State. The redshirt freshman performed well for the most part, throwing for 1,063 yards with only two interceptions in five games before injuring his left knee against Arkansas.

White started the Tigers’ next game against Ole Miss but shared snaps with Johnson. White dressed out for the A&M game but was deemed unable to play after going through warmups.

Johnson performed admirably in his first start since LSU, throwing for 132 yards and a touchdown on 13-17 passing with no turnovers.

“I think it says a lot about him and his character,” Malzahn said. “He went through a storm in the first part of the season, and that’s extremely tough on a quarterback. He hung in the battle … He seized the moment on the road, and that gives him confidence moving forward.”

While White’s health determines whether he will be able to play, it won’t necessarily determine if he will play, according to Malzahn.

“There’s a lot more to it than that,” Malzahn said. “I think right now, me and (offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee) will get together. I think the big thing for everyone is we have confidence in both of them, and we should. We feel very good going into this game with our quarterback situation.”

dakota sumpter / senior photographer

Jeremy Johnson (6) surveys the defense before the snap during Auburn’s 26-10 win over Texas A&M in College Station,Texas, on Nov. 7.

Ellen Jackson / Staff photographer

Sean White (13) hands the ball off to Peyton Barber (25) during Auburn’s 35-21 win over San Jose State on Oct. 3.

Thursday, November 12, 2015

The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day

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Injury update

Several defenders dealing with injuries entering Georgia game Evan M cCullers

assistant sports editor

The grind of the SEC schedule begins to take its toll on most teams around the conference this time of year, and Auburn is no exception.

The Tigers are dealing with multiple injuries, especially on defense, as they head into their contest against Georgia this Saturday.

The worst of Auburn’s injuries was that of Jeremiah Dinson, who suffered several injuries on one play late in the third quarter against Texas A&M. “(Dinson is) a wonderful person,” said coach Gus Malzahn. “He’s always got a smile on his face … He works extremely hard. He really had a big role on special teams. The last two games he was coming on, really playing a lot of snaps on defense. Just a wonderful person, so I’m real disappointed for him.”

Dinson suffered three torn ligaments in his right knee on the play, and the knee and his shoulder were dislocated. He underwent surgery for both injuries on Wednesday, Nov. 11.

While Dinson was in pursuit of Texas A&M quarterback Kyler Murray on first-and-goal, he was blindsided by A&M

AUBURN 334-821-9622 1621 S. College St Auburn

receiver Ricky Seals-Jones.

Seals-Jones was originally flagged for targeting on the play, but the call was overturned upon review. Malzahn and defensive coordinator Will Muschamp refused to comment on the penalty. “(Dinson has) done an outstanding job for us on special teams and defense, so that’s a big blow for us,” Malzahn said. “We’ll definitely be thinking about him.”

Even before it suffered a blow on the field against Texas A&M, the Auburn secondary was a man down.

Tray Matthews traveled with the team to College Station but did not dress out.

The sophomore is dealing with an ankle injury, but Muschamp expects the safety to play when the Bulldogs, Matthews’ former team, roll into town on Saturday.

“I think he’ll be fine this week,” Muschamp said. “We tried his ankle last week, and we felt like it would get better as the week went and it did not … We’ll see how it goes through the week.”

With two members of the secondary injured, Auburn counted on young players such as Nick Ruffin and Stephen Roberts to play more snaps at safety.

Ruffin received the start in place of Matthews and recorded six tackles, while Roberts had three tackles in his increased playing time.

“I’m very pleased with their performance,” Muschamp said. “They both stepped up and made some nice plays, and certainly they’re capable of that and doing better.”

Auburn is also dealing with an injury on the defensive line, where Devaroe Lawrence has been dealing with an ankle injury.

Though the injury has not forced Lawrence to miss any games, Muschamp believes the injury has hampered the junior defensive tackle.

“I think he’s progressed each week and done very well,” Muschamp said. “But his ankle has bothered him.”

Despite the injuries, Auburn will not change its approach to practice as the Tigers prepare to face Georgia at 11 a.m.

Saturday.

“You just got to adjust,” Malzahn said. “This time of year, you’re kind of used to not having certain guys or certain guys banged up. You just got to do the best you can as far as preparation with the guys that are going to get the reps.”

14

The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day

PLAINSMAN PICKS Alabama vs.

Mississippi State (2:30 p.m., CBS)

Memphis vs. Houston (6 p.m., ESPN2)

Oklahoma vs.

Baylor (7 p.m., ABC)

LSU vs.

Arkansas (6:15 p.m., ESPN)

Texas vs.

West Virgina (11 a.m., ESPNU)

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Sam Butler

Thursday, November 12, 2015

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