​​Lyle's Corner

September 2018

Sunday, September 30th, 2018

In a game that featured a 2-hour and 44-minute delay due to lightning, Auburn celebrated a 24-13 Homecoming victory over Southern Miss at Jordan-Hare Stadium yesterday. The Tigers had to fight and claw for every ounce of it against a formidable opponent, but they got the W. 

The offense still has its issues, especially in the running game. Auburn only generated 96 yards on the ground, marking the second straight week that the team finished under the century mark in that department. The passing game was decent, as Jarrett Stidham went 19-of-33 for 245 yards. His best play was a 46-yard scoring strike to Seth Williams for the Tigers' first points. 

Auburn's lone turnover came on a Stidham fumble in the fourth quarter that gave USM a chance to tie the game, but that became a moot point when the Tigers forced a turnover on an interception by Christian Tutt. The Tigers finished the night with 341 total yards, but they still have plenty to rectify with a big road trip to Mississippi State looming ahead. 

Defensively, Auburn shined once again, limiting Southern Miss to just 260 total yards, including 45 rushing. More importantly, the Tigers forced two turnovers via interceptions by Tutt and Jeremiah Dinson. Special teams was equally impressive. Jordyn Peters came up big again, recovering a fumble on a USM punt. Punter Arryn Sipposs pinned the Golden Eagles inside their own 20 twice, with one kick going over 50 yards. Anders Carlson was superb on kickoffs and hit all of his PATs. However, he missed a 53-yard field goal try that USM got a piece of. 

​Unfortunately, three offensive starters were injured, namely starting running back JaTarvious Whitlow, right tackle Jack Driscoll and left tackle Prince Tega Wanogho Jr. Whitlow hurt his left shoulder, while Driscoll injured his right knee and Wanogho suffered an unspecified injury to his left leg. Their statuses for next Saturday's game at Mississippi State remain unclear, but they will be evaluated in the coming days. 

Simply put, there were highs and lows in Auburn's win. The offensive issues need to be pinpointed and corrected in a flash as the Tigers are about to return to the real nitty-gritty portion of the schedule. Otherwise, this season could turn very unpleasant. Getting back to injuries, those of the aforementioned players paled in comparison to one I witnessed yesterday while watching the Tennessee St./Vanderbilt game. Honestly, I don't know all of the details, but Tenn. St's Christian Abercrombie suffered a terrifying and potentially fatal head injury and had to be taken to Vanderbilt Hospital for treatment. The last update I saw was that Abercrombie was in critical condition, breathing but not responding. When the game ended, both teams displayed an amazing gesture of kindness by gathering together and praying for him. I've been doing the same. Even Vandy head coach Derek Mason made all the right comments in his post-game interview, saying that "Football is what we do, not who we are."

Indeed, it's moments like this that put football into perspective. I ask that all of you please continue to keep Abercrombie and his family and teammates in your prayers during this difficult time. One final note: Auburn's game at Mississippi State will kick off at 6:30 p.m. CT next Saturday, and will be televised by ESPN2. Let's all keep our fingers crossed that, God willing, we won't have another lengthy delay this time around.

That's all for now. Until next time, God Bless, and WAR EAGLE!  




Monday, September 24th, 2018

Come the first Saturday in October, Auburn and Mississippi State will compete under the lights. The teams will battle in Starkville on Oct. 6th at either 6 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. CT. The 6 p.m. kickoff would air on ESPN. Meanwhile, a 6:30 p.m. kickoff will be chosen by either ESPN2 or the SEC Network. The game's definitive TV network and kickoff time will be announced late this Saturday. The contest is up among two others for the same spots: Vanderbilt at Georgia and Kentucky at Texas A&M. 

The primetime kickoff between the Tigers and Bulldogs will mark the first under the lights in the series since 2010. The 2012, 2014 and 2016 matches at MSU were all played during the day. Tenth-ranked Auburn (3-1, 1-1 SEC) will host Southern Miss this Saturday before traveling to Mississippi State the next week. No. 23 MSU (3-1, 0-1) will host Florida, led by State's former head coach of 10 years, Dan Mullen. 

State lost to Kentucky 28-7 last week, which propelled the Wildcats to No. 17 in the latest AP poll. Auburn has outscored MSU 87-24 in two lopsided wins in the past two meetings. The Bulldogs beat the Tigers in 2014 and 2015. Auburn is 60-28-3 all-time against Mississippi State, and hasn't been on the losing side of the series in a decade since the 1940s. The Tigers are 5-3 against the Bulldogs in the 2010s, with losses coming in 2012 (28-10), 2014 (38-23) and 2015 (17-9). 

We could very well be in for one heck of a game between these two squads. And mark my word on this: The State fans will be clanging those cowbells like crazy. You know it, and I know it. 

That's all for now. Until next time, God Bless, and WAR EAGLE! 




Sunday, September 23rd, 2018

Don't let the scoreboard pull the wool over your eyes. Auburn's 34-3 victory over Arkansas at Jordan-Hare Stadium last night wasn't exactly artistic. In particular, the offense was mediocre at best, as the Tigers amassed 225 total yards (134 passing, 91 rushing). That figure marks the seventh-worst output in head coach Gus Malzahn's 13 years as a head coach or offensive coordinator. Malzahn noted after the game that it's crucial for Auburn's running game to improve "sooner rather than later." Also, quarterback Jarrett Stidham was sacked four times, spending a good bit of the game running for his life. 

However, the defense was solid, surrendering 290 yards to the Razorbacks, allowing just 3-of-17 third-down conversion attempts, and keeping them out of the end zone all night.  The Tigers also forced two turnovers. One came on a fumble that Daniel Thomas returned to the Arkansas 2-yard line. The other was a pick-6 by Javaris Davis on the final play of the first half - though that was cancelled by a block in the back penalty on Auburn. The Tigers made life miserable for Arkansas in the backfield, recording seven tackles for loss, two QB sacks and nine QB hurries.  

The real highlight in this one, though, was the special teams unit. First off, Auburn blocked one Arkansas punt and deflected another. Plus, Ryan Davis, our punt returner, had a couple of long returns for 48 and 36 yards, respectively. He finished the evening with 124 all-purpose yards. But the play of the game came early in the third quarter when Noah Igbinoghene fielded a kickoff at his own 4-yard line, picked up blocks and didn't look back until 96 yards later. His TD return gave the Tigers a 24-3 lead. It was Auburn's first kickoff return for a score since Corey Grant took one to the house at Tennessee in 2013, and the team's longest since Tre Mason ran one back 100 yards against Washington State that same season. In the kicking department, Anders Carlson was excellent on kickoffs, but less so on field goal tries, going 2-for-4, missing from 54 and 50 yards away, but being successful on 18- and 40-yard tries. But he nailed all four PAT attempts. Punter Arryn Siposs recorded a career-long 60-yard punt as well.  

To put it simply, we did enough things right to win and avoid another setback, but plenty of work needs to be done on offense. The offensive line and running game especially need to find their rhythms in a hurry. Auburn will close out its four-game home stretch next week in a meeting with Southern Miss. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. CT. I'm sure we'll find out which TV network will carry the game soon enough. 

That's all for now. Until next time, God Bless, and WAR EAGLE! 



Friday, September 21st, 2018

Add two more names to the list of departures from Auburn's football team. On top of that,, they're brothers. Receiver Nate Craig-Myers and his half-brother, defensive back Jayvaughn Myers, have both left the program. The former will now search for a new home. Head coach Gus Malzahn confirmed their departures on his weekly radio show, Tiger Talk. 

"We wish them nothing but the best," he said. "This is a new day and I think you'll see more and more of that (across college football) in the next week or so." The Myers Brothers' departures mark the fifth and sixth such occurrences since August and the fifth total since the start of the season. Craig-Myers finished his career with 22 catches for 394 yards and four touchdowns. 

Despite his respectable stats, Craig-Myers had a tough time finding a productive spot on the field for the Tigers, though he was regarded as one of the team's best blocking receivers on the field. Also, his production had been doubled by freshman Seth Williams since the start of the season, which played a part in the Tampa, Florida native's decision. This season, Craig-Myers recorded two receptions for 39 yards in three games while Williams is fourth on the team with four catches for 72 yards, including two big receptions for 35 yards against LSU last week.  

Craig-Myers caught two passes in the season opener against Washington, but hasn't recorded a stat since. A new NCAA rule allows players to play in up to four games and still maintain another year of eligibility as a redshirt player, meaning players who are displeased with their position on a team can request their release four games into a season and transfer to another school with a year of eligibility under their belt. The rule was originally created this season to allow freshmen more playing time while allowing another year of eligibility, but Craig-Myers' departure is one of many that will exploit this. Auburn tight end Jalen Harris left the team on Tuesday for the same reason and intends to transfer as a graduate next spring. 

Backup offensive tackle Tyler Carr left the team in August, backup cornerback John Broussard Jr. departed on Sept. 4th, and former starting punter Aidan Marshall left following a 63-9 win over Alabama State on Sept. 8th. Craig-Myers came to the Plains with much hype as a four-star signee. He didn't publicly choose the Tigers until National Signing Day in 2016, but never surpassed 300 receiving yards in a season as others such as Darius Slayton, former walk-on Will Hastings and fellow 2016 signee Eli Stove topped his production. 

But expectations were especially high entering his junior campaign. "He's been a guy who has shown up this fall camp making play after play," receivers coach Kodi Burns said last month. "He's a guy that we're going to give some chances down the field, because that's what he can do. He can go attack the ball and make some plays, make contested catches, and he also blocks his butt off, so I'm extremely happy to have him." Craig-Myers finished the 2017 season with 16 catches for 285 yards and three TDs, including nine games with one catch or less. He became a bigger factor near the end of the year, making six catches for 88 yards and two scores in the last three games, including a TD reception out of the Wildcat formation against Alabama in a 26-14 upset of the then-top-ranked Tide. 

"I feel good about my role," Craig-Myers said in August. "Whenever coach calls my number, I got to make a play." In the preseason, coaches were confident that Craig-Myers could become a down-the-field threat like Slayton, who averaged 22.2 yards per catch (5th in the nation) and finished with 643 yards and five TDs last season. "Yeah, for sure," Slayton said last month. "Nate's definitely a really talented guy. That's all he needs is opportunities because he's going to make the plays. (Gus Malzahn) is spot on with that, though. I think he's poised for a big year. 

Two players from Auburn's talented four-man class of receivers in 2016 have since left the team. Kyle Davis was dismissed from the team last October and later transferred to Florida Atlantic. A third player, Eli Stove, tore an ACL in March and is currently in the process of working his way back into the lineup this season. Auburn and Arkansas kick off at 6:30 p.m. CT tomorrow night at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The game will be televised by the SEC Network. 

That's all for now. Until next time, God Bless, and WAR EAGLE! 



Thursday, September 20th, 2018

Auburn just can't seem to catch a break with departures or transfers, can it? Yesterday afternoon, Jalen Harris, a former three-star recruit, announced via Twitter that he is leaving the Tigers' football program and will transfer. Harris, a 6-foot-5 tight end, will be granted a redshirt this year and moving on as a graduate transfer, playing elsewhere in 2019.  His full tweet reads as follows:

"The Auburn Family will always be near and dear to my heart. With that being said I have been granted my release and allowed this year to redshirt. I will be transferring as a 5th year graduate in the spring as I finish this semester of my graduate courses. I want to thank the entire coaching staff for giving me the opportunity to play and graduate from one of the best universities in the nation. I will always cherish the memories I had here and will truly miss all my teammates who have grown to become my brothers. I wish them all the best as I know they wish the same for me. And finally thank you to all the fans who I know have rooted for me since I stepped on campus." 

During his Auburn career, Harris, an Auburn native, caught 4 passes for 33 yards and two touchdowns. He had one reception for 12 yards this season. 

In other news...

- Auburn's men's basketball SEC TV schedule was released yesterday. Half of the Tigers' conference  schedule could air on ESPN this coming season. The league released its TV schedule for this season and ESPN is an option for the Tigers in nine of its 18 conference games. At least 11 contests will air on one of the ESPN family of networks (ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU).  

Auburn's prime game is a trip to Kentucky on Feb. 23rd, 2019. That afternoon game will be televised on CBS. 

Five of nine SEC home games will tip off in primetime. All of the games included in the ESPN package (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and SEC Network) will also be available through the ESPN App, which is accessible on computers, smartphones, tablets and connected devices to fans who receive their video subscription from an affiliated provider. CBS Sports' coverage will be available to stream live via the CBS All-Access subscription service, with additional coverage on CBSSports.com and CBS Sports HQ. 

Auburn hasn't released TV networks for non-conference games outside of the ESPN-controlled Maui Invitational set for Nov. 19th-21st. 


Auburn's 2018-19 basketball schedule 

- Nov. 6th: South Alabama (TBA), TBA 

- Nov. 9th: Washington (TBA), TBA 

- Nov. 14th: Mississippi College (TBA), 7 p.m. CT

- Nov. 19th: Xavier (ESPN2), 1:30 p.m. CT 

- Nov. 20th: Duke/San Diego State (ESPN/ESPN2), TBA

- Nov. 21st: Arizona/Iowa State/Gonzaga/Illinois (ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU) TBA

- Nov. 28th: Saint Peter's (TBA), 7 p.m. CT

- Dec. 4th: UNC-Asheville (TBA), 7 p.m. CT

 - Dec. 8th: Dayton (TBA), 7 p.m. CT

- Dec. 15th: at UAB (TBA), TBA 

- Dec. 19th: at N.C. State (TBA), TBA 

- Dec. 22nd: Murray State (TBA), 2:30 p.m. CT

- Dec. 29th: North Florida (TBA), TBA 

- Jan. 9th: at Ole Miss (ESPN2/ESPNU) 6 p.m. CT 

- Jan. 12th: Georgia (ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU), 3 p.m. CT

- Jan. 16th: at Texas A&M (ESPN2, ESPNU), 6 p.m. CT

- Jan. 19th: Kentucky (ESPN/ESPN2). 3 p.m. or 5 p.m. CT

- Jan. 22nd: at South Carolina (SEC Network), 5:30 p.m. CT

- Jan. 26th: at Mississippi State (SEC Network), 7:30 p.m. CT

- Jan. 30th: Missouri (SEC Network), 7:30 p.m. CT 

- Feb. 2nd: Alabama (ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU), 7 p.m. CT

- Feb. 5th: Florida (ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU), 8 p.m. CT

- Feb. 9th: at LSU (ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU), 1 p.m. CT 

- Feb. 13th: Ole Miss (SEC Network), 7:30 p.m. CT 

- Feb. 16th: at Vanderbilt (ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU), 11 a.m. CT 

- Feb. 20th: Arkansas (SEC Network), 7:30 p.m. CT

- Feb. 23rd: at Kentucky (CBS), 2:30 p.m. CT 

- Feb. 27th: at Georgia (ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU), 3 p.m. CT

- March 2nd: Mississippi State (ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU), 3 p.m. CT 

- March 5th: at Alabama (ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU/SEC Network), 8 p.m. CT 

- March 9th: Tennessee (ESPN/ESPN2), 11 a.m. CT

- March 13th-17th: SEC Tournament (Nashville) 

That's all for now. Until next time, God Bless, and WAR EAGLE! 





Wednesday, September 19th, 2018

​Auburn football's SEC schedule for 2019 was released yesterday. The Tigers will open their SEC slate on Sept. 21st next year by traveling to Texas A&M before returning home the following week to face Mississippi State. Road trips to Florida, Arkansas and LSU follow before Auburn closes out the season with four straight home contests in November with Ole Miss, Georgia, Samford and Alabama. This will mark Auburn's first season to end with four straight games at Jordan-Hare Stadium. 

The Tigers kick off next season on Aug. 31st against Oregon in the AdvoCare Classic at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. That will mark Auburn's next-to-last neutral-site non-conference game until at least 2029. Auburn will square off with North Carolina in Atlanta in 2020, but has since scheduled home-and-home series with Power 5 opponents from 2021 through 2028.  

The 2019 campaign will include two ​bye weeks, with open dates Oct. 12th before traveling to Arkansas and Nov. 9th before hosting Georgia. The trip to Florida on Oct. 5th will be the Tigers' first appearance at The Swamp since 2007. Auburn is 43-38-2 all-time against the Gators. The Tigers open next season with three straight non-conference games for just the second time in the Gus Malzahn era. This will have happened only twice since 1985, with the last time being in 2017. 

Malzahn served as Auburn's offensive coordinator the last time the Tigers met Oregon in the BCS National Championship Game in January 2011. The Tigers topped the Ducks 22-19 on a 19-yard Wes Byrum field goal as time expired. 

Auburn's 2019 schedule

Aug. 31st: vs. Oregon (Arlington, Texas)

Sept. 7th: vs. Tulane

Sept. 14th: vs. Kent State

Sept. 21st: at Texas A&M

Sept. 28th: vs. Mississippi State

Oct. 5th: at Florida

Oct. 12th: OPEN

Oct. 19th: at Arkanas

Oct. 26th: at LSU

Nov. 2nd: vs. Ole Miss

Nov. 9th: OPEN

Nov. 16th: vs. Georgia 

Nov. 23rd: vs. Samford

Nov. 30th: vs. Alabama


That's all for now. Until next time, God Bless, and WAR EAGLE! 



Monday, September 17th, 2018

Auburn's Week 5 match with Southern Miss, the last in a string of four straight home games, will commence in the afternoon. Reports confirmed today that the Tigers and Golden Eagles will square off at 3 p.m. CT in Jordan-Hare Stadium on Sept. 29th on the SEC Network. Auburn is 17-5 all-time against Southern Miss, with the Tigers averaging 11 points per victory in the 22 games between the schools. 

The two squads last met in 2008 when Tommy Tuberville's final Auburn team topped the Golden Eagles 27-13. The Tigers have won the last three meetings, and haven't lost consecutive games since 1990 and 1991. The programs first met in 1946. They faced off 13 times between 1977 and 1993. 

Southern Miss (1-1) is coming off a 21-20 slip against Louisiana-Monroe. The Golden Eagles' game against Appalachian State last week was postponed due to Hurricane Florence. USM will host Rice at 6 p.m. CT this Saturday. Meanwhile, 9th-ranked Auburn (2-1, 0-1 SEC) hosts Arkansas (1-2) Saturday at 6:30 p.m. CT on the SEC Network. The Tigers lost a 22-21 heartbreaker to LSU last week on a 42-yard field goal as time expired. Auburn is a prohibitive four-touchdown favorite over the Razorbacks (and may I say, such predictions always give me a wary feeling), who were upset by North Texas 44-17 last week. 

Oh, one other thing I forgot to mention yesterday. If there's one issue that Auburn needs to correct in a hurry, it's penalties. The Tigers were flagged nine times against LSU for a total of 111 yards. No matter how good or bogus the calls are, the officials don't play the game. The players do. Figures like that are inexcusable, especially when a team enters conference play. 

That's all for now. Until next time, God Bless, and WAR EAGLE! 





Sunday, September 16th, 2018

For the second straight year, Auburn seemed to have a victory against LSU within its grasp. But alas, Auburn let it slip away again. LSU's Cole Tracy nailed a 42-yard field goal at the buzzer to lift the visiting Tigers past the orange and blue 22-21. The Bayou Bengals' final drive was aided by two costly pass interference calls against Auburn. 

Our offense had its highs and lows. We finished the day with 328 yards (130 rushing, 198 passing). Jarrett Stidham had his ups and downs, going 16-of-28 for 198 yards and a TD. However, he also threw two crucial interceptions (the first of which came on the second play from scrimmage, perhaps setting the tone for the day). The running game wasn't bad, but the offensive line still has room for improvement. JaTarvious Whitlow amassed 104 yards on 22 carries with a score. Shaun Shivers also had a TD while gaining 25 yards on seven touches. However, Gus Malzahn insisted that he is not ready to name a clear-cut starting running back. The receivers also made some nice catches at times. However, after we took a 21-10 third-quarter lead, the offense went south the rest of the way, getting only four first downs and 89 yards. 

The defense was very much the same up-and-down story. At certain points, we were hot in slowing down LSU's running attack. However, our biggest trouble spot was containing the passing game. It especially showed on that 71-yard TD pass from Joe Burrow to Derrick Dillon with 8:18 left in the game to cut Auburn's lead to 21-19. The ball glanced off the fingers of linebacker Deshaun Davis. While on the topic of the passing game, Davis and Jeremiah Dinson insisted that no matter how bad most of those pass interference calls against Auburn may have been, they are not making excuses, agreeing that they've simply got to play better. Good point, because at the end of the day, the officials don't play the game. The players do. At game's end, Auburn had surrendered 370 yards to LSU (249 passing, 121 rushing). 

On special teams, punter Arryn Siposs was solid, averaging 47 yards on five boots, but Anders Carlson missed a 52-yard field goal try, and the return game was OK, but nothing special. In the coaching department, we pulled out some magic at times, but we also got a bit too predictable here and there, especially as the game wound down. Also, I don't understand why Gus didn't wait to use the team's last timeout until LSU was set to try the winning kick. Why not try to rattle Colt Tracy and make him think about it, as is customary in that scenario?

In a nutshell, it went from bleak, to hopeful, to heartbreaking. Gus is now 0-2 against Ed Orgeron. All Auburn can do now is turn the page and focus on its home match with Arkansas next Saturday at 6:30 p.m. CT. That game will be televised by the SEC Network. If you've followed the SEC closely, then you know that the Razorbacks fell victim to another stunning upset yesterday, this time a 44-17 blowout at the hands of North Texas. Since the Tigers and Hogs are both coming off unfortunate outcomes, I guess this next game will come down to that age-old question, "Who wants it the worst?" 

That's all for now. Until next time, God Bless, and WAR EAGLE! 🦅 




Saturday, September 15th, 2018

Auburn football's pivotal match with LSU may be the primary matter on the minds of fans today, but Auburn basketball has gained a new commitment. Jaylin Williams, a four-star forward, verbally pledged to the Tigers during his official visit, he told 247Sports. 

"I did it last night," he said. "I always liked the SEC and then it's not far from home. I thought it was the best fit for me. The whole coaching staff is pretty cool." A standout at Nahunta (Ga.) Brantley County, Williams also strongly considered College of Charleston, Georgia, Mississippi State and St. John's before settling on Bruce Pearl's troops. He said his decision actually hit him earlier this month. 

"Probably two weeks ago. I just didn't tell anybody but my mom," Williams explained. "They were just always in touch with me. They talked to me every week. Most other schools was every two or three and they didn't communicate with me like Auburn did." While his choice hit him two weeks ago, Williams pointed out that an in-home visit with Pearl and his staff put Auburn at the forefront. 

"Wes (Flanigan) is a cool guy," Williams said when asked about the coaching staff. "He's fun and he stayed in touch with me, but I was close with all of them. They came to the house on Monday and we talked and that persuaded me to commit." Williams was also inquired about his future head coach. "He's always smiling," he responded. "He stays smiling and has a lot of energy. He loves my style of play."  

Williams also emphasized that Auburn's campus reminds him of home. "It's like my hometown," he said. "It's not really big. It's chill and everybody knows each other." Williams got down to business on the court in the spring, playing for Game Elite Gold. He is notoriously versatile and plays a tough, physical brand of basketball. Additionally, he has a crucial knack for rebounding. "I'm a really good teammate," he said. "I'm not selfish. I move the ball. I can help bring it up, I can rebound and just do everything."  

Currently, Williams is ranked No. 127 overall in the 247Sports Composite, but No. 90 in the Top247. With him on board, the Tigers now have a four-man recruiting class that also includes highly-touted forward Isaac Okoro, a rim protector in Babatunde Akingbola  and an impressive athlete in Allen Flanigan. According to the 247Sports Team Rankings, Auburn's recruiting class ranks No. 5 overall and No. 2 in the SEC. 

One quick comment on today's game with LSU: Am I the only one who feels that this match will turn into a defensive struggle just like the 2006 game was? We won that one, 7-3. It was the lowest-scoring game in Jordan-Hare Stadium since 1973 when we upset Houston, 7-0. 

That's all for today. Until next time, God Bless, and WAR EAGLE!  





Tuesday, September 11th, 2018

The Tigers are now down one punter. News broke today that Aidan Marshall has left the football program. Marshall, a walk-on from Winchester, Virginia, lost the starting job to Arryn Siposs after Marshall got the nod in the season opener against Washington. Marshall punted only once for 30 yards in Week 1 before being benched in favor of the former professional Aussie Rules football player. Unfortunately, he hasn't seen the field since. 

Marshall averaged 39.4 yards per punt last season, and he and Siposs were in a fierce battle for the starting job this year in preseason camp. "Aidan Marshall has raised his game from last year to this year big time," head coach Gus Malzahn said during preseason camp. "It's a really good competition and this time last year, just feeling about our punting game is like night and day. It's a great competition. But he's a competitor and it's a great competition." 

Siposs has averaged 40.8 yards per boot so far this season, and it looks as though Malzahn has opted to move forward with him as the starter. As for Aidan, I wish him the best in the future. 



In other news....



- Three players who suffered injuries against Alabama State are expected to play against 12th-ranked LSU this Saturday. Right tackle Jack Driscoll and right guard Mike Horton suffered unspecified injuries late in the first half last week against the Hornets, but were able to walk under their own power to the locker room near halftime. 

Linebacker Darrell Williams also suffered an apparent injury to his left shoulder attempting to defend a pass and was not dressed out for the second half. Meanwhile, receiver Darius Slayton, Auburn's top deep threat, sat out to nurse an unspecified injury suffered against Washington in the season opener. However, Coach Malzahn said that all four players were expected to practice this afternoon. "We'll see how that goes," he stated. "We'll see how things progress throughout the week." 

Malzahn also confirmed that receivers Eli Stove and Will Hastings will play against LSU after making unexpected returns from major knee surgeries against Alabama State. They played sparingly late in the second quarter, making their season debuts just six months after surgeries to repair ACL tears. "We do expect them both to play more than they played last week and get another good week of practice under their belt full-speed and go from there," Malzahn said. Both players have been cleared for full practices over the past two-plus weeks, though Malzahn said Sept. 4th that they had been cleared for full practices that week. 

Auburn's offensive line has been a work in progress, and the minor injuries to Driscoll and Horton raised concern for fans regarding the unit's chemistry. The Tigers averaged 7.3 yards per carry against Alabama State after averaging only 3.6 yards a carry against Washington. "Before we had a couple of the bang-up injuries, I saw some really good stuff," Malzahn pointed out. "I think you'll see, as long as we stay healthy, you'll see that group continue to grow, continue to get better communicating with all the things that go with it. It's just going to be a matter of can we stay healthy. Then you throw in the guys we just talked about. (Center Nick) Brahms, I think he's getting healthier. He's starting to come on. (Right guard Austin) Trox(ell) is starting to come on. (Right tackle Calvin) Ashley is improving. We're just trying to build that depth. In a perfect world, we keep everybody healthy and then it gets fun when you can do that." 

Seventh-ranked Auburn will tangle with LSU this Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT in Jordan-Hare Stadium. The game will be televised on CBS. One last off-topic note: Has it already been 17 years since our nation changed forever?  

That's all for today. Until next time, God Bless, and WAR EAGLE! 




Monday, September 10th, 2018

While Auburn's showdown with Arkansas is still 12 days away, one thing has been confirmed: The teams will face off in primetime at Jordan-Hare Stadium. However, the kickoff time and TV network have yet to be determined. The Tigers and Razorbacks will kick off at either 6 p.m. CT on ESPN or ESPN2, or at 6:30 p.m. CT on the SEC Network. The contest is one of four SEC matches yet to have a network set. That will be determined after this week's slate of games. 

The game itself is not only crucial, but it will also be a reunion of sorts for its teams  head coaches. Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn and Arkansas head coach Chad Morris have long been close friends dating back to their high school coaching days in Arkansas and Texas, respectively. They previously faced off as offensive coordinators at Auburn and Clemson before climbing up the coaching ladder to become head coaches for their respective SEC squads.  

Morris visited Malzahn in the early 2000s while Malzahn was head coach for Springdale (Arkansas) High to study the hurry-up, no-huddle offense that he was implementing in the state of Arkansas. Since that visit, the two have developed close ties and have followed incredibly similar paths from state championship coaches in the high school ranks to coordinators at major college programs. This could be a fierce battle when the Tigers and Razorbacks square off. Of course, for Auburn, LSU comes first. 

As an important closing note, my thoughts and prayers go out to everyone on the southeast coast as the ferocious Hurricane Florence nears that part of the nation. I sincerely hope that everyone who was ordered to evacuate has done so. Moments like this remind us just how precious life is. 

That's all for now. Until next time, God Bless, and WAR EAGLE! 

 

Sunday, September 9th, 2017

I'm going to keep my insight on Auburn's 63-9 shellacking of Alabama State as brief as possible. The offense was magnificent, rolling up 567 total yards, including 429 on the ground. Shaun Shivers, Anthony Schwartz and Harold Joiner all scored their first collegiate touchdowns. One gripe, though: The Tigers committed four turnovers, all in the second half courtesy of reserves. Those miscues must be corrected quickly, or they could prove fatal as Auburn enters SEC play this week. 

The defense was outstanding, allowing the Hornets just 205 yards on the night, including only 47 rushing. Also, it forced four turnovers, including a 29-yard pick-6 by Daniel Thomas, one of two INTs for him in the game. Special teams was also solid, with decent gains on punt and kick returns (though Auburn only punted twice all night). The highlight, of course, came with 7:42 left in the first half, when Jordyn Peters blocked an ASU punt, and Devan Barrett scooped up the loose ball and returned it 10 yards for a score. The Tigers had not scored on a blocked punt and interception return in the same game since 2003 against Louisiana-Monroe.  

Overall, this game went just like everyone figured. Auburn had not scored 63 points in a game since blowing out Ball State 63-3 in 2005. Seventeen true freshmen played for the Tigers, which was valuable. This win was especially satisfying considering that there were a couple of stunners in SEC country yesterday (namely, Colorado State's upset of Arkansas and Kentucky's win over Florida in the Swamp - its first victory over the Gators in 31 years). Now, the Tigers must prepare to sink their teeth into conference play with determination. It's this upcoming string of games that will determine whether or not this team is for real. 

On a more serious note, my thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of those involved in the terrible shooting that unfolded at the McDonalds on West Magnolia Avenue in Auburn in the wee hours of this morning. One was killed, and three teens and an Auburn student were injured. I pray for God to give them all the comfort and peace that they need to come to terms with this horrific incident. 

That's all for now. Until next time, God Bless, and WAR EAGLE! 

Saturday, September 8th, 2017

As I begin writing this, Auburn's home opener with FCS opponent Alabama State is less than five hours away. With that in mind, news broke last night as to who will be calling the action on the SEC Network's alternate channel. Mark Neely will provide the play-by-play, while Barrett Jones will handle the color commentary. Taylor Davis will serve as the sideline reporter. 

I may have been living under a rock, but to be perfectly honest, all three of these broadcasters are new names to me. I'm hopeful, however, that they will all do an unbiased job. As somebody with years of experience in this business, I can tell you that there are quite a few these days who are as partial as all get out. 

In any case, the Tigers and Hornets will kick off at 6:30 p.m. CT tonight. With next week's match against LSU set for 2:30 p.m. CT on CBS, it's more than likely a foregone conclusion that those who care to listen on TV will hear Brad Nessler, Gary Danielson and Jamie Erdahl for that one. But, of course, first thing's first. As long as we do enough things right, this game should serve as nothing more than a tune-up for the real meat of the schedule. 

​That's all for now. Until next time, God Bless, and WAR EAGLE! 

Friday, September 7th, 2018

Devan Barrett has switched positions once again. The running back moved to receiver in the spring, but moved again to cornerback in late August. Head coach Gus Malzahn confirmed the move last night during his radio appearance on Tiger Talk. ​Barrett could reportedly be seen last Saturday warming up with the defensive backs in Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta prior to kickoff of the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic against Washington. He recorded one tackle in the game. 

"Devan has a chance to help us at defensive back, too," Malzahn stated. "He got a chance to come in there with our two-point play. He's a real versatile guy, so we'll see where that goes. He'll be able to do both things this year." Barrett has jumped from one position to another since arriving at Auburn as a four-star running back. He was rated by the 247Sports Composite as the country's 11th-best running back, but the 6-foot, 196-pounder converted to receiver in the spring.  

 "Devan Barrett is a tough kid, man," Auburn receivers coach Kodi Burns said August 16th. "I think that he's really good with the ball in his hands. Obviously at running back, he's done some things for us in the past. He can run routes. He's quick-twitch. I think that he's picked up the offense fairly well. It'll be interesting to see his role this upcoming year, because I think he's going to play a big part in our success." 

Barrett's move to defensive back comes at a time when depth is an issue for the Tigers at that spot. The team is comfortable with three players - starters Jamel Dean and Noah Igbinoghene and freshman Christian Tutt - but are still trying to decide who the fourth cornerback will be during the season. Freshman Roger McCreary currently seems to have the upper hand in that battle. 

Junior John Broussard left the team following Auburn's season-opening win over Washington. He played in eight games as a true freshman, but was mostly on the sideline as a sophomore. He was rated as a four-star prospect in the Class of 2016. Barrett was recruited by some schools at corner, but emphasized during the process that he wanted a chance at running back. He got his wish as a freshman, rushing for 79 yards on 14 carries. He also caught 10 passes for 33 yards, including a touchdown reception against Arkansas. 

Barrett could be used on offense again. He lined up at receiver on Auburn's last two-point conversion attempt against Washington, which failed when Chandler Cox tried to throw the ball to the covered receiver, who was signaled in motion across the formation from left to right before the snap. Auburn's home opener is set for Saturday against FCS opponent Alabama State. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT on the SEC Network's alternate channel. 

That's all for now. Until next time, God Bless, and WAR EAGLE! 

  


Wednesday, September 5th, 2018

​Good news for the Tigers: Receivers Eli Stove and Will Hastings have both been cleared to participate in full practices, head coach Gus Malzahn confirmed yesterday. However, they will not be tackled. Hastings and Stove tore anterior cruciate ligaments in their left and right knees, respectively, in March and are not expected to be cleared to play in games until at least midway through the season. 

"We knew their progress was ahead of schedule," Malzahn stated. "They worked extremely hard to get to that point." Both players wore orange, non-contact jerseys at the first practice of preseason camp in early August, but did not take part in anything beyond early-practice drills with tackle dummies and the JUGGS machine, which throws balls to receivers. However, Malzahn said, they were later cleared for 7-on-7 drills. "Both have been cleared to practice as far as full practice and we'll see how that goes as far as how confident we are or they are," he said. He further noted that he's "not saying any time in the next week or two" they will return to the field, "but I'll say that's a positive" that they are back at practices.  

Malzahn stated at SEC Media Days on July 19th that he expects Hastings to possibly be available by at least the midpoint of this season. Stove tore an ACL before spring break and underwent surgery March 13th. He was in the midst of a superb spring before apparently sustaining the injury during Auburn's first contact practice on March 8th. Stove caught 29 passes for 265 yards last year, mainly serving as a quick option on screens. He was also used on jet sweeps, carrying the ball 30 times for 315 yards and two touchdowns. He recorded 10 explosive plays of 20 yards or longer for the Tigers last season. 

Hastings is a former walk-on kicker who converted to receiver at Auburn and became one of the team's main targets. He recorded 26 catches for 525 yards and four scores, averaging 20.2 yards per catch, the second-best average among players on the roster. Teammates refer to him with the nickname "White Lightning" due to his exceptional speed. He holds several of the team's best times in agility drills during the offseason. 

In other news....

- On the negative side, the Tigers have one less defensive back on the roster. Backup DB John Broussard Jr. has left the program. Coach Malzahn said that Broussard is moving on to "pursue other things," but declined to go into detail. He added that he wishes him the best going forward in his life. 

Broussard did not play in Auburn's season opener against then-sixth-ranked Washington. The Tigers defeated the Huskies 21-16. Broussard, a junior, saw his most extensive action as a freshman in 2016 when he played in eight games for the Tigers. He was a four-star prospect for the Class of 2016. He chose Auburn over Mississippi State, Clemson, Florida State and others. 

The Phenix City, Alabama native played cornerback at Central High School in Phenix City, where he had 35 tackles and six pass breakups and an interception as a senior in 2015. He was an All-State player and was invited to the Under Armour All-America Game and the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game. He was ranked by 247Sports as the No. 6 player in the state of Alabama.  

However, Broussard had a tough time cracking the rotation at Auburn at defensive back, and even on special teams, where he could have been utilized as a rusher. He was also somewhat undersized upon arriving on The Plains at nearly 165 pounds. He's listed at 181 pounds on Auburn's fall roster. 

That's all for today. Until next time, God Bless, and WAR EAGLE! 

Tuesday, September 4th, 2018

I hope you all had a happy Labor Day weekend. 

Unfortunately, Auburn football got some unhappy news on the recruiting front. Word came out yesterday that three-star offensive lineman Jakai Clark, who pledged to the Tigers' Class of 2019, has mutually agreed to "part ways" with Auburn, thereby reopening his recruitment. 

​"Sometimes you will be forced to make tough decisions and this is one of those times," Clark wrote on Twitter. "My Family and I have been talking for many nights and we feel it is in my best interest to part ways with Auburn and re-open my recruitment. I apologize to anyone who may be upset about this decision but it is what I feel is best for me. Wish I could go into more detail but that's all I've got. I have no love lost for Auburn and hope them the best for this season. Good Luck to all my brothers that are going there!!"

​According to the industry-generated 247Sports Composite, Clark ranks as the No. 11 offensive center in the Class of 2019 and the No. 128 overall recruit from the state of Georgia. We don't yet know where he will go next, but for the present time, he's exploring other schools with no grudges held toward the Tigers. 

​That's all for now. Until next time, God Bless, and WAR EAGLE! 



Sunday, September 2nd, 2018

Auburn's third trip to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta in less than a year finally produced a happy outcome. The offense came through at a crucial moment, and the defense rose up when it counted in a 21-16 win over Washington yesterday afternoon. It was the Tigers' first season-opening victory over a Top 10 team since 1957 (7-0 over Tennessee). The game was about as tight as everyone predicted, but I, for one, was a bit surprised that the score was so low. 

All that said, I'm going to keep my take on the game as blunt as possible. The offense was mostly solid, especially Jarrett Stidham, who went 26-of-36 for 273 yards with a TD (a 10-yarder to Sal Cannella, who scored his first touchdown as a Tiger). The biggest plus was having no turnovers. The running game was decent, but still has room for improvement. Our offensive line and receivers struggled at times as well (save for Ryan Davis). But let's not be alarmed. There's still plenty of time to clean things up. By the final whistle, the Tigers had amassed 420 total yards on the day (273 passing, 147 rushing). 

 Defensively, there were ups and downs. On the negative end, we gave up 398 yards to the Huskies. The secondary was especially apt to give up big pass plays by QB Jake Browning. However, Washington only found the end zone once all day, and led only once all game long. A key stat was that Auburn forced two turnovers, the second of which was especially crucial. With the Tigers up 15-13 in the third period, the Huskies were knocking on the door with a third-and-goal at the 3. Browning tried the option pitch, but Nick Coe drilled him to force a fumble, which Darrell Williams claimed to bail Auburn out of trouble.  

The special teams unit wasn't half bad itself. Auburn had three punts with a 39.0-yard average. Also, Anders Carlson was effective in his college debut, hitting 3-of-5 field goals (32, 28 and 53 yards). Ryan Davis had a big punt return in the first quarter to set up the Tigers' first score. On another individual note, JaTarvious Whitlow's go-ahead 10-yard TD run with 6:15 left in the game was one for the highlight reel. He was hit by a defender at the one, but refused to quit, powering over for the score. 

Undoubtedly, however, Auburn's biggest issue was penalties. The Tigers were flagged 12 times for 111 yards. The 12 infractions were Auburn's most since the 2014 Ole Miss game (13).  According to records dating back to 1996, the most penalties recorded were 15 against Florida in 2002 (a 30-23 OT loss). Holding and pass interference were especially common yesterday. These problems must be rectified as quickly as possible. Those errors would doom us in SEC play, which begins in two weeks. 

Another note: I bet I'm not the only one who questioned Gus Malzahn's decision to go for two after our first TD yesterday. That conversion try failed miserably. Malzahn explained after the game that his team would be "aggressive." Well, if the Tigers fall behind and lose in future games, he might want to strongly reconsider that strategy. 

To put it simply, we were a bit shaky at times, but we did enough things right to get a big win to start the season off on the right foot. Now, we can turn the page and focus on Alabama State next week, the first of four straight home contests for Auburn. Given the inferiority of the Hornets, it's inevitable that reserves will get plenty of playing time as the game goes on, which will help the team greatly. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT next week on the SEC Network's Alternate channel. 

That's all for now. Until next time, have a safe and happy Labor Day! God Bless, and WAR EAGLE!