The Auburn Plainsman Western Carolina Game Day tab 10.10.13

OCTOBER 10, 2013

AUBURN vs. WESTERN CAROLINA

GAME DAY PAGE

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Auburn football’s mid-term report card

Auburn’s Top 5 Plays of the 2013 Season (so far)

Former athletic director Housel recalls pivotal 1963 season

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The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day Edition

Thursday, October 10, 2013

EDITOR’S COLUMN

Through the first five games, Malzahn is delivering on his promises Will Gaines SPORTS@ THEPLAINSMAN.COM

Fast tempo, big plays, interceptions and sacks — these are all of the things Gus Malzahn said he would bring back to The Plains.

So far, he is delivering.

It’s easy for a coach who has just been hired to coach a major college football team in the SEC to stand at a podium and make bold promises.

The hard part is delivering on those promises.

Up to this point in the 2013 season, Malzahn is doing a great job.

This team is improving each week in many aspects of play, becoming more balanced, aggressive and polished with each game.

Against Washington State, the

passing game was terrible, and the defense had a subpar performance — but the secondary intercepted three passes, which was more than the 2012 team had the whole season.

Against Arkansas State, the run game was fantastic, and the defense held a good Red Wolves offense to zero touchdowns.

Against Mississippi State, the passing game finally came through, putting together a nice two-minute drive to win the game.

Even in the rain-drenched loss to LSU, the team fought until the last second, which was something fans did not see in last year’s team.

With all of these positives from the first four games, there was still more improvement against Ole Miss.

A defensive line branded as an underachieving unit finally lived up to its potential by sacking Ole

SARAH MAY / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

Gus Malzahn gives instructions during warmups prior to the Ole Miss game.

Miss quarterback Bo Wallace six times, which is the second-most sacks in a single game in Auburn

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with Auburn football needs to be doing their job, taking everything one day at a time, and not worrying about last season.

Now, it is way too early to start saying Malzahn could be one of the best coaches Auburn has ever had, but the strides he has made so far as a first year head coach are impressive.

If he can continue to do this, his ceiling for success could be very high.

But will the success continue?

When this team reaches its maximum potential, will the entire program take the next step?

Being able to do these things are what separates good coaches from great coaches.

Only time will tell which category Malzahn will fit in.

But so far, he is well on his way to being called a great Auburn football coach.

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history.

Malzahn has given his players a reason to fight through the struggles, make plays when they count and fight for a victory on the field.

A 4–1 record, a narrow miss of getting a spot in this week’s AP Top 25 poll, and talk of a bowl game is adding excitement to both players and fans.

So far this season, it’s hard for anybody to be critical of what Malzahn is doing for the Auburn program.

He’s developing a quarterback who has only been on campus since late July.

He turned one of the worst offensive lines in the country last year into one of the best.

And he is slowly turning the defense around.

He’s done this by preaching to the players and coaches about accountability. Everyone involved

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MID-TERM REPORT CARD

Running backs shining, passing attack growing behind a great line Justin Ferguson SPORTS@THEPLAINSMAN. COM

With Thursday marking the official midway point in the fall semester on campus, assistant sports editor Justin Ferguson hands out his midterm grades for a revitalized Auburn offense in Gus Malzahn’s return to The Plains.

KATHERINE MCCAHEY / SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHER

Nick Marshall attempts a screen pass against Mississippi State.

Quarterbacks: ANNA GRAFTON / PHOTO EDITOR

Auburn’s offensive linemen huddle before the start of the Washington State game.

Offensive Line:

A

What a difference a year makes for your offensive line.

This unit was inexperienced last season, and it took its fair share of licks from the physical defenses that rule the SEC. Now with another year under their belts and a return to a more familiar offensive style, Auburn’s offensive linemen have allowed a conferencelow four sacks and paved the way for a No. 2-ranked running game.

Mississippi State’s veteran defensive line gave them trouble in run blocking — hey, you don’t have to be perfect to get an A — but the pass protection gave Marshall plenty of time to dissect the Bulldogs secondary on his way to more than 300 yards through the air.

Junior center Reese Dismukes, often referred to as a second quarterback for Malzahn’s offense, has done a great job leading a unit that has stood out without having a single senior. This line is already one of the best in the conference, and there is still a ton of room for potential. Auburn fans should be excited about the future of this front five.

B

Nick Marshall may be a junior according to his NCAA eligibility, but he is still a freshman when it comes to Hurry Up, No Huddle 101, taught by professor Gus Malzahn. The former Georgia cornerback has the skills to be a quality signal-caller for the Tigers — running ability, arm strength and the ability to know when to just tuck the ball and get out of the pocket.

While his first official half as a Division I quarterback was shaky, Marshall finished strong against Washington State. And where ball security in the running and passing games was an issue for him in junior college, the dual-threat quarterback finished his first career start with zero turnovers.

In each game of the 2013 season, Marshall has shown he is getting more comfortable in Malzahn’s unique system.

After a two-touchdown performance against Arkansas State, he led the Tigers down the field late in the Mississippi State game to one of the most important touchdown drives in recent program history.

If turnover-prone JUCO quarterback Nick Marshall takes the field instead of calm and collected Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall, who knows where the Tigers would be right now?

With each practice and game, Marshall is getting more integrated into the HUNH style.

There is definitely room for improvement — especially on those deep balls — but I have a feeling the best is yet to come for Auburn’s newest quarterback.

KATHERINE MCCAHEY / SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHER

SARAH MAY /ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

Cameron Artis-Payne charges through the Arkansas State defensive line.

Sammie Coates lines up before a play against Ole Miss.

Running Backs:

A WRs and TEs: C

Junior running back Tre Mason was one of the lone bright spots from Auburn’s abysmal 2012 season.

With 415 yards and five touchdowns to start the season, Mason is on pace to crack the 1,000-yard mark once more and have a lot more fun doing it than he did last year.

Part of what makes Mason such a dangerous rusher is that he is not alone in the ground game.

Where most feature backs can sometimes get overloaded by having to be the entire rushing attack, Mason is thriving alongside two new running backs.

Opelika native Corey Grant has slipped seamlessly into the Onterrio McCalebb role in the Auburn offense.

Through his first few games as a Tiger, the Alabama transfer seems to have more of an edge over “O-Mac” because, at 5’11” and 205 pounds, Grant can take more punishment than most speed backs.

Junior college transfer Cameron ArtisPayne has also been impressive through the first five games of the season. As a bigger, stronger back, CAP gets more of the tough yards than Mason or Grant.

These three running backs and senior Hback Jay Prosch join Marshall in creating the SEC’s second-best rushing offense.

In only five games, this Auburn backfield became the first rushing unit in school history to have four 100-yard single-game rushers in one season.

The receivers and tight ends are one of the most inconsistent Auburn units of the season.

They have shown flashes of outstanding play, most notably in the Mississippi State drive, but issues such as drops and route mishaps continue to plague this unit.

The painful truth for Auburn fans is that this unit does not have a true standout receiver at this point in the season.

Sammie Coates is the leader with 24.5 yards per catch, but most of his receptions come from the few deep balls Marshall has been able to connect.There here have been times where the speedy Coates seemed just a step or stretch away from another monster catch.

True freshman Marcus Davis, who is wearing the number of former receiving standout Emory Blake, has arguably been the most consistent threat out wide for the Tigers this season.

Like Malzahn has said in the past, Davis does not play like a guy that is right out of high school, and his sure-handedness on the game-winning drive against Mississippi State could not be overstated.

In a bit of a statistical oddity, the true tight ends in this offense, C.J. Uzomah and Brandon Fulse, have combined for only four catches so far this year.

Only time will tell if Malzahn plans to use these weapons more in the upcoming schedule, but it seems like the more offensive weapons you have, the better.

4

The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day Edition

Thursday, October 10, 2013

MID-TERM REPORT CARD

Defense showing signs of improvement as schedule gets tougher Will Gaines SPORTS@THEPLAINSMAN. COM

Sports editor Will Gaines gives out his midterm grades for Ellis Johnson’s resurgent 4-2-5 Auburn defense and the Tigers’ special teams units.

KATHERINE MCCAHEY / SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHER

KATHERINE MCCAHEY / SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHER

SARAH MAY / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

Craig Sanders battles with an Arkansas State offensive lineman.

Cassanova McKinzy tackles Mississippi State running back LaDarius Perkins.

Jermaine Whitehead and Jonathan Mincy bring down Ole Miss running back Jaylen Walton.

Defensive Line:

ANNA GRAFTON / PHOTO EDITOR

Cody Parkey attempts a field goal in the Washington State game.

Special Teams:

A

Just like always, Auburn special teams are almost flawless.

Cody Parkey is booming kickoffs through the uprights, Steven Clark is not allowing punts to be returned, Tre Mason is providing good field positon on kickoff returns and holder Ryan White is adding excitement with his two-point conversion “batman” package.

Punt return has not been the best, but no mistakes have been made, which is a big advantage.

However, It would be nice if they could find a way to block a punt or field goal.

The only negative you could find with this unit is Parkey’s long field goals, or lack thereof.

Parkey has the leg to make 50+ yard field goals, trust me, I have seen him do it.

Having a kicker with that ability is a big weapon, but so far he has not come through.

Parkey needs to step up as an offensive weapon.

B

Before the season started defensive line coach Rodney Garner said his unit was nowhere near where they needed to be to be a force in the SEC. Four games into the 2013 season he was right, but in the fifth game, the d-line started showing signs of being a force against Ole Miss.

The Tiger defensive line led the way in a sixsack performance, which was the most since the 11 famous sacks on Brodie Croyle in the 2005 Iron Bowl.

Injuries have plagued this unit after senior Dee Ford and defensive tackle Jeff Whitaker went down to injury.

While Ford is back and contributing, Whitaker will take a medical redshirt and sit the rest of this season out.

Freshmen Carl Lawson and Montravius Adams are becoming more comfortable, and the unit is becoming the force they need to be in the SEC. This unit could be one of the best in the country, and until recently they have not lived up to their potential.

If they continue their progression then they can live up to their potential.

Defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson is also doing a great job of rotating a lot of guys in, and moving guys around to get them in the best position to make plays.

Moving Nosa Eguae to defensive tackle from end was a brilliant move, and seems to suit him better.

Linebackers:

C

The linebackers, like last year, have been a weakness on defense, but they have shown improvement from last year.

Kris Frost has shown he is a good blitzing linebacker and can make plays against the run game, but he is not the best in pass coverage.

Jake Holland has been, well, what he has been since he came to Auburn, which is too small and too slow to play in the SEC. Justin Garrett could be a better option than Holland, but injury has sidelined him for most of the season.

Cassanova McKinzy could be a big-time player for the Tigers with a little more development, but his injury against Ole Miss could slow down his development.

Auburn needs McKinzy back putting pressure on the quarterback and getting sacks.

Anthony Swain has also emerged as a playmaker after coming in for the injured McKinzy against Ole Miss. If Swain can continue to provide that spark off the sidelines, this unit will definitely improve as a whole.

Frost and McKinzy are good linebackers and still have not reached their full potential, but Auburn needs to put focus on recruiting and signing a big-time linebacker.

With SEC offenses offering a wide variety of attacking options, Auburn needs a big, fast aggressive linebacker to be a dominant defense.

Right now, they don’t have that kind of player. They have two good ones, but they need an additional great one to take the next step.

Secondary:

C

The secondary is already light years from where they have been the past three seasons.

So far, through five games, this unit has already doubled its interceptions from the entire 2012 season.

Led by “star” safety Robenson Therezie’s three interceptions this unit has become a weapon for the defense, and have opposing offenses worried.

But this unit still has more room for improvement.

While they have played well, they are still giving up 185 yards per game through the air, which is not terrible but they can do better.

They still are not making good plays on the ball like they should, and they are giving up the most “trash yards” of any other group on defense.

Not having senior Chris Davis for a couple of games hurt them and contributed to the big plays, but now that he is back they should be improving. Also Jonothan Jones has returned from his injury and can help provide depth.

The job cornerbacks coach Melvin Smith and safeties coach Charlie “Cheese” Harbison have done with the secondary is award-winning, but more still needs to be done, especially with veteran quarterbacks Johnny Manziel, Aaron Murray and A.J. McCarron still on the schedule.

Team Grade:

B

Thursday, October 10, 2013

5

The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day Edition

Looking under the roof that Under Armour provides Eric Wallace SPORTS WRITER

In a state where UA usually refers to the university over in Tuscaloosa, a different UA has in recent years become a common sight for teams representing Auburn University.

The unmistakable Under Armour logo has graced the uniforms of Auburn’s sports teams through some of the University’s greatest triumphs.

“It’s been a great relationship that we’ve had with them,” said Auburn senior associate athletic director Scott Carr. “The deal they were willing to do with us made us one of the top five apparel deals in the country at the time.”

The Auburn athletic program’s relationship with Un-

der Armour started in 2005, when Auburn ended its deal with Alexander City-based Russell Athletic and signed a lucrative deal with burgeoning Under Armour.

The deal was worth $10.6 million at the time and included a “most favored nation” clause that recognized the value of Under Armour and Auburn’s relationship in the SEC. “We’re right around $4 million a year if you take the cash and the retail product that they provide for our athletic teams,” Carr said. “That is a very significant number for Auburn compared to other schools.”

Carr said an important aspect of the deal is the respect Under Armour has for Auburn’s many traditions.

ANNA GRAFTON/ PHOTO EDITOR

Fans in the student section celebrate behind the Under Armour sign during the Washington State game.

Despite Under Armour’s reputation for innovative uniform designs, Carr said Under Armour has respected Auburn’s preference to stick with its traditional uniform style.

“With football and Auburn

being the tradition rich program that it is, we really don’t have those discussions,” Carr said. “They don’t really push on trying to do other types of uniforms just knowing that’s what Auburn does and what Auburn fans prefer.”

Created in 1996, the quality of Under Armour’s product has improved as the company becomes more experienced with different sports’ needs.

“For the most part, Under Armour does good cleats for baseball and football, but with track spikes and running shoes they’re obviously still trying to catch up to Nike,” said Alexander Main, a sophomore member of the Auburn track and field team.

Some Auburn athletes have commented that Under Armour tends to place a higher emphasis in sports where their products are of a better quality.

“Especially freshman year, it was kind of a struggle to get us our equipment on time,” said Jonathan Hardin, a ju-

nior on the Auburn track and field team. “I think their main focus is obviously football, so cross country and track tends to get the lower end of the stick.”

Despite shortcomings in smaller sports, Carr said the reception to Under Armour has been very positive due to the company’s technological innovations.

“It’s a very high end fabric and a high quality product,” Carr said. “The technology that they use with the fabrics they use, it just makes it a very comfortable and durable product.”

A contract extension singed in August 2009 ensures that the relationship between UA and AU will continue at least through the 2015-16 season.

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The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day Edition

AUBURN’S TOP FIVE PLAYS OF THE SEASON (SO FAR) COMPILED BY JUSTIN FERGUSON / ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

No. 1 Nick Marshall, C.J. Uzomah Game-Winning Touchdown vs. Mississippi State In his first SEC start, Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall engineered a 12-play, 88-yard game-winning drive inside the final two minutes of the Tigers’ battle vs. Mississippi State.

Marshall’s final pass, a 11yard toss to junior tight end C.J. Uzomah, took full advantage of an aggressive Bulldog secondary.

While Uzomah mainly lines up alongside the offensive line, this particular play call had him line up as a wide receiver. The junior got separation from Mississippi State cornerback Cedric Jiles on a double move, and Marshall connected with a touch pass to the back corner of the end zone for the 24–20 victory.

No. 2 Tre Mason 100-Yard Kickoff Return vs. Washington State The Tigers needed to get momentum back on their side after a goahead Washington State touchdown in the second quarter, but Tre Mason took care of business before the offense could get back on the field.

After receiving the kickoff from his own goal line, Mason cut towards the opposite sideline at the 20. When the junior running back crossed midfield, he found an extra burst of speed to beat the last Cougar defender and race into the end zone.

Ma s on’s re tu r n e xt en d e d Auburn’s streak of consecutive seasons with a kickoff return for a touchdown to six, the thirdlongest streak in the country.

No. 3 Robenson Therezie 78-Yard Pick Six vs. Ole Miss

No. 4 Carl Lawson Second Career Sack vs. Ole Miss

No. 5 Nick Marshall 37-Yard Pass to Himself vs. Mississippi State

After the Auburn offense’s lightning-quick opening touchdown drive against Ole Miss, the defense tacked on the second score of the game with a fine play from a steadily improving secondary.

Bo Wallace and the Ole Miss offense were driving into Auburn territory when “star” Robenson Therezie jumped a pass to the left side of the field.

Therezie had nothing but 78 yards of green grass ahead of him after the interception, and he sped away for the defensive score.

The interception was Auburn’s sixth of the year, tripling last year’s mark.

Bo Wallace picked the wrong night to play against the Auburn defensive line.

The Rebels’ junior quarterback was sacked six times in Auburn’s second SEC win of the season. The last time Auburn recorded that many sacks in one game was the famous “Honk if You Sacked Brodie” 2005 Iron Bowl.

Auburn’s sixth sack came from true freshman defensive end Carl Lawson. The Georgia native fought past fellow five-star recruit Laremy Tunsil and put Wallace right into the turf on fourth down. Lawson skipped his way off the sidelines as the Tigers sealed the win.

Auburn’s first SEC win in almost two calendar years featured one of the most bizarre plays of all-time.

Quarterback Nick Marshall finished the Mississippi State win with 338 passing yards, and 37 of those yards were to himself.

Early in the third quarter, Marshall attempted a pass over talented cornerback Taveze Calhoun. The standout Bulldog defender got his hands on the pass, but the deflection landed right into the arms of Marshall.

Marshall raced down the sidelines after the catch, giving him a 37-yard pass and reception on the same play.

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The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day Edition

ANNIVERSARY TEAM

Former athletic director Housel recalls Auburn’s pivotal 1963 season Jeffrey Moore SPORTS REPORTER

The 1963 Auburn football team will be honored as one of Auburn’s greatest teams at midfield during the Homecoming game against Western Carolina Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013.

The blocking of halfback Tucker Frederickson and fullback Larry Rawson paved the way for consensus All-American quarterback Jimmy Sidle to run over, around and through defenders on their way to a 9-1 regular season record and a berth in the Orange Bowl.

And while any college football fan can read about the prowess of the Auburn ground attack that year in the history books, former Auburn athletic director David Housel said the 1963 team brought more than just a winning record to The Plains that year.

They brought a winning attitude.

“There is no way that words or recaps alone can capture the specialness of the 1963 team,” Housel said.

Since 1958, the program had been in a slow decline. They had not scored a point against their archrival, Alabama, for four years. Fans began to question the direction the program was heading.

Head coach Shug Jordan used a mixture of juniors and who he called the “flaming sophomores of ‘63” to return the Tigers to national prominence.

“They were a bunch of sophomores that came out there and said, ‘By God, we’re going to win,’” Housel said. “‘We’re going to turn this program around. We didn’t come here to be a part of the demise of Auburn football.”

After squeaking out an opening win against Houston, 21-14, Auburn beat Tennessee in what Housel described as a “special” game.

“In both 1961 and ‘62, Auburn had gotten behind two touchdowns and came back to win. Tennessee had a new coach, and he swore that whatever happened, Auburn wouldn’t come from two touchdowns and win,” Housel said. “Well, in 1963 Auburn got down two touchdowns

and came back to win 23-19.”

Auburn turned that momentum into wins against Kentucky and Chattanooga, setting up a showdown with Georgia Tech in Atlanta.

It is hard for people now to comprehend, Housel explained, the significance of that matchup against the Yellow Jackets.

“At that time Georgia Tech was a nemesis and arch rival; a despised, hated arch rival,” Housel said. “Auburn had not enjoyed much success at Grant Field in Atlanta, and Georgia Tech was number eight in the country.”

Auburn went on to beat the Yellow Jackets 29-21.

“Auburn beat them running Jimmy Sidle left, Jimmy Sidle right and what Coach Jordan called the Selma pass, which is a pass right up the middle of the line of scrimmage,” Housel said.

After blanking Florida 19-0, the Tigers’ suffered their lone regular season defeat to Mississippi State.

Then they rattled off consecutive victories against Georgia, 14-0, and Florida State, 21-15.

Housel said the bout with the Seminoles took place two days after President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, so it was one of the few college football games played that weekend.

“Then came old nemesis Alabama,” Housel said. “(Two-way starter) Howard Simpson forced and recovered a Joe Namath fumble near the Alabama goal line late in the third quarter. Keep in mind, Auburn hadn’t scored a touchdown against Alabama in four years.”

Because the All-American Sidle was injured earlier in the game, backup quarterback Mailon Kent was called upon to make Auburn history.

“And then he defense came up strong,” Housel said. “They shut down Namath and Nelson, and Auburn had its first win over Alabama since 1958.”

Auburn was rewarded for its 9–1 record by being chosen to face Nebraska in the Orange Bowl.

The Cornhuskers were just be-

CONTRIBUTED BY LUKE INGLIS / AUBURN ATHLETICS

The official team photograph of the 1963 Auburn Tigers, who finished the regular season 9–1.

ginning their ascent to the top of the college football ranks, but more worrisome to the Tigers, they were integrated.

The 1963 Orange Bowl would be the first time Auburn would play against a team with African-American players on the roster.

Housel said Jordan was concerned about how his team would react in such unfamiliar territory.

But after just two Nebraska possessions, the Tigers found themselves in a 13-point hole.

“Coach Jordan called the team around him and said, ‘Forget all that crap I was telling you about being careful. Go knock somebody on their ass. I don’t care what color they are,’” Housel said.

Auburn rallied to cut the deficit in half, and they were in position to take the lead late in the fourth quarter, but failed to convert and ultimately lost 13–7.

Though their 9–2 record wasn’t perfect, the 1963 team played with an attitude Auburn fans hadn’t seen in quite some time.

“This team overcame the odds,” Housel said. “They weren’t supposed to be very good, but they wound up being damned good.”

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Thursday, October 10, 2013

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT

Smith living up to big play persona in 2013 Kyle Van Fechtmann SPORTS WRITER

Although senior Ryan Smith has made his fair share of big plays in previous seasons for Auburn’s defense, he is making the biggest impact in his final year with his consistent role at boundary and free safety.

Against Ole Miss, Smith made one of the biggest plays of the game and his career with a game-changing interception that ended the visitors’ hopes of a game-winning touchdown drive.

The Rebels were down 27-22 late in the fourth quarter when Bo Wallace got the football back in his hands after the defense forced a Cameron Artis-Payne fumble.

Then Smith made the gamechanging play.

Smith made his first career interception on third down when he made a tough catch above his head,

picking off Wallace and giving Auburn’s offense possession late in the game.

“On my interception, I was just trying to make a play in the fourth quarter,” Smith said after the win.

“It felt good, but it felt better for my team, because you knew then you were going to get out of there with a ‘W.’” Smith also made another pivotal play for Auburn’s defense late in the third quarter.

Ole Miss had converted its first three fourth-down opportunities when they went for another fourth down conversion.

Wallace completed a pass to Jeff Scott, but Smith got to the Rebel running back quick enough to tackle him one yard short of the first down marker.

Auburn fans’ first glimpse of Smith’s big play ability came in 2011 against Mississippi State. The Ti-

gers were up by a touchdown in the final seconds of the game, but Bulldog quarterback Chris Relf looked destined to tie the game with a run up the middle as the clock hit all zeroes.

Smith ran across the field to make the tackle on Relf, who was inches from the goal line when he hit the ground.

“I was just trying to make a play for the team and come up big for the Auburn family,” Smith said after the game.

Now a senior, Smith constantly has come up big for the team this season and has stepped up for Auburn’s secondary since they have had to deal with injuries and former starting safety Demetruce McNeal getting dismissed from the team.

“We really trust him coming in and stepping up big,” said sophomore safety Josh Holsey. “He’s on a good mindset this year to really be

SARAH MAY / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

Ryan Smith signals to the sideline during the Ole Miss game.

focused and stop everything that comes his way.”

Smith is not the only senior who has filled in voids in Auburn’s secondary this season. Ryan White has also stepped up and the coaches have noticed.

“The way they’ve performed on the field, their leadership,” said head coach Gus Malzahn. “They’ve bought into what our coaches have asked them to do with great attitudes. Both of them have even stepped up into a leadership role.”

FRESHMAN FOCUS

Coaches, fans see bright future ahead for Johnson Justin Ferguson ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

As Auburn prepares for Saturday’s Homecoming clash against FCS-level opponent Western Carolina, many fans are wondering if the game will include the first game action for true freshman quarterback Jeremy Johnson.

Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn even addressed those specific questions during his weekly press conference earlier this week.

“We have not played him yet, and I know obviously it is getting to a point now where you have to do what is best for him and what is best for your team,” Malzahn said.

“But he is still getting a lot of reps in practice and he is improving, there is no doubt.”

A 6-foot-6 athlete from nearby Montgomery, Johnson drew comparisons to Cam Newton during his prolific career at Carver High School. Johnson racked up close to 4,000 all-purpose yards and 40 touchdowns in his senior year.

Although he was listed as a top-10 pro-style quarterback by most of the nation’s top recruiting services, Johnson impressed scouts with his mobility and quick-decision making during his three years as the starter for the Wolverines. His athleticism also made him a highly touted basketball recruit, but, in the end, he chose the field over the hardwood.

Johnson committed to the Tigers during the summer before his senior season

CONTRIBUTED BY TODD VAN EMST

Jeremy Johnson attempts a pass during fall practice.

at Carver. While other highly touted recruits flip back and forth between powerhouse schools all the way to National Signing Day, Johnson’s commitment to Auburn nev-

er wavered, even after Auburn’s coaching change from Gene Chizik to Gus Malzahn.

“I have officially committed to being an Auburn Tiger,” Johnson told 247Sports.com

after announcing his commitment. “I’m excited, I’m ready to get back home and give the news to my brother and especially my school.”

Even though he was right out of high school, Johnson competed for the Auburn starting quarterback job upon his arrival on The Plains. After several weeks of battling with former starters Kiehl Frazier and Jonathan Wallace, he was named a finalist in the two-way race for the starting job.

Johnson’s progression to the “final round” of the quarterback battle was an encouraging sign to both him and the Auburn coaching staff.

“I don’t think there is any part of the offense that we could or could not run with

either Jeremy or Nick over the other,” offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee said during fall practice. “I think both could fulfill the same role as far as running the offense.”

Johnson eventually lost the race to Nick Marshall, but the young Tiger refused to hang his head after receiving the news.

“It’s all good on my end,” Johnson tweeted after Marshall was named starter.

“Thank you all for all your support... Nick Marshall deserves this and will do a lot for the Tigers this year!!!!”

While Auburn fans are excited about this year’s starters following a 4–1 start to the season, Johnson’s presence on the sidelines has them more thrilled about the future of Tiger football.

Thursday, October 10, 2013

11

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The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day Edition

Thursday, October 10, 2013

AUBURN IN THE No. 3:

No. 3:

Miami 20, Auburn 18

Miami 20, Auburn 18

While former Auburn offensive players struggled in Week 5 action, several defensive stars This season-opening matchup rose to the top with breakout performances.

Name (No.) Sen’Derrick Marks (99) Karlos Dansby (55) Nick Fairley (98) Cam Newton (1) Ben Grubbs (66) Josh Harris (47) Daren Bates (51) Ben Tate (44) Ronnie Brown (23) Josh Bynes (56) Jason Campbell (17) King Dunlap (77) Tyronne Green (69) Quentin Groves (54) Will Herring (54) Corey Lemonier (96) Jerraud Powers (25) Jay Ratliff (90) Carlos Rogers (22) Pat Sims (90)

Team Jacksonville Jaguars Arizona Cardinals Detroit Lions Carolina Panthers New Orleans Saints Atlanta Falcons St. Louis Rams Houston Texans San Diego Chargers Baltimore Ravens Cleveland Browns San Diego Chargers New England Patriots Cleveland Browns New Orleans Saints San Francisco 49ers Arizona Cardinals Dallas Cowboys San Francisco 49ers Oakland Raiders

Pos. DT MLB DT QB G LS LB RB RB ILB QB T G OLB OLB LB CB NT CB DT

between college football powerhouses filled with bad blood.

Week 5was Statistics When the No. 1 Tigers andSTL the Four tackles, one sack vs.

No. 10 tackles, Hurricanes Giants Eight onemet INTatvs.

CAR Stadium in East N.J., it One tackle vs. Rutherford, GB was battle between sides that 308 apassing yards two vs. ARI had rightful claim the 1983 naStarted in win vs.toCHI tional title. having Started inDespite MNF loss vs.identical NYJ records, “The vs.

U” jumped One tackle JAX Auburn in the final AP poll after defeating 40 all-purpose yards vs. TBNo. 132 Nebraska in the Orange Bowl. all-purpose yards vs.

OAK Unfortunately Auburn, Miami One tackle vs. for MIA quarterback Inactive vs.Bernie BUF Kosar had one of the best games his career, and Re-activated vs.ofOAK the defense limited future HeisPlaced onthat IR in all five games man winner Jackson to less than Inactive vs.BoBUF 100 yards forcedin a late to seParticipated winfumble vs. CHI cure narrowvs. victory.

Twothe tackles HOU

Three tackles vs. CAR Placed on IR in all five games Five tackles vs. HOU Two tackles vs. SD

CONTRIBUTED BY RICK WILSON / THE JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Former Tiger Sen’Derrick Marks celebrates a sack against the St. Louis Rams.

October is

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