Upon Further Review -Liberty Game

[StatTiger 2,515]

• During their last seven games, Auburn has converted only 6 of 22 third downs during the first quarter. The Tigers are 1 of 7 their last three games. 

 

• Liberty had four plays of 5-yards or more during their first offensive possession. During their next 14 possessions, Liberty totaled only six plays of 5-yards or more. One of the plays was an 18-yard pass that should have been reviewed and ruled incomplete. 

 

• Of Auburn's 82 snaps, 52.4 percent resulted in at least 5-yards. The Flames gained 5 yards only 17.9 percent. Both were season highs for the Auburn offense and defense. 

 

• 39 of Liberty's 56 snaps netted 2-yards or less (69.6%), a season-high for the Auburn defense. 

 

• Seth Williams moved into first place on the team with 17 plays of 15-yards or more on the season. JaTarvious Whitlow is next with 14, followed by Anthony Schwartz and Darius Slayton with 13 each. 

 

• After rushing for 50 yards on 16 carries during the first half; Liberty was held to 5 yards rushing on 12 carries during the second half. 

 

• During the first six games of the season, Auburn converted only 61.3 percent of the situations involving two yards or less to convert, running the football. During the last five games, the success rate has increased to 81.8 percent. 

 

• Auburn's front-7 accounted for over 78 percent of the team's tackles against Liberty, a season-high for the Tigers. 

 

• Auburn's offense converted just 2 of 12 third-down situations against Liberty, a season-low for the Auburn offense. 

 

• Coming into the Liberty game, Auburn's offense had scored only four touchdowns outside the red zone. Against Liberty, the Tigers had three such plays. 

 

• Auburn's pass-efficiency rating on third down since 1992 is 126.4. Auburn has reached that average only twice this season. 

 

• Auburn finished the game plus 22 in first downs, the highest ratio since Auburn defeated West Carolina 62-3 during the 2013 season. 

 

• During the first seven games of the season, Auburn converted 63.3 percent of their third-down situations of 3-yards or less. That conversion rate has dropped to 50 percent the last four games and 40 percent during Auburn's last two games. 

 

• After losing four fumbles against Alabama State, Auburn has lost only four fumbles during the last nine games. 

 

• Auburn has now recovered 13 of their last 14 fumbles. 

 

• Auburn is now 171-19-1 (.898) when the Auburn offense scores on at least 33 percent of their possessions. 

 

• The Auburn defense under Kevin Steele held 25 of 27 opponents under their rushing average from 2016-2017. This season it is 8 of 11. 

 

• Auburn under Gus Malzahn is now 43-5 when the Tigers have more rushing yardage and rush attempts than the opponent. Auburn is 4-10 during games the rushing numbers are flipped. Malzahn's success up to this point is about imposing their physical edge. Until the pass offense becomes more consistent, Auburn will struggle to win consistently. 

 

• Auburn under Gus Malzahn is now 45-4 with a pass rating of 130 or better and 7-22 when held under 130. 

 

• Kam Martin registered his third career 100-yard rushing game, the 87th time an Auburn player has rushed for at least 100-yards under Gus Malzahn's offense. 

 

• Auburn's leading rusher at the RB position is averaging 83.5 yards per game this season, which is No. 27 among the last 37 Auburn offenses. 

 

• Seth Williams 100-yard performance against Liberty marked the 19th time a player had 100-yards receiving since Gus Malzahn was hired as head coach and the 33rd time under Malzahn's offense at Auburn. 

 

• Gus Malzahn is now 42-8 when leading at halftime and 7-17 when losing. 

 

• From 1981-2018, 72.8 percent of Auburn's offensive scoring drives have been touchdowns. This season it is currently at 70.0 percent, No. 24 among the last 38 Auburn offenses. 

 

War Eagle!

[doc4aday 1,873]

I loved the play of Asa Martin. That young man should have been on the field throughout the season as a RB. I know it was Liberty and not the turds, but he showed me a lot of talent and tough running during his carries. He could be the future feature back for us down the road. Not sure the thinking of Gus by not playing him sooner, but few of us know the mind of Gus!

[CodeRocket 215]

6 hours ago, StatTiger said:

Auburn has now recovered 13 of their last 14 fumbles. 

This is a curious statistic. A (93%) possession recovery rate cannot just be luck. The coaches must have made this a point of emphasis during practice.  

[RunInRed 5,433]

That third down stat is terrifying with UAT on deck ... 

[aucanucktiger 973]

Man oh man it's exciting to consider the potential for our young receivers.

[Linayus 659]

I only watched the 1st quarter this weekend. What was our issues on 3rd down? And were most of those with backups in the game or were there plenty with the 1st string offense?

[StatTiger 2,515]

13 hours ago, RunInRed said:

That third down stat is terrifying with UAT on deck ... 

Indeed, along with the lack of big play ability.

[AUBwins 4,550]

2 hours ago, StatTiger said:

Indeed, along with the lack of big play ability.

I am most surprised with this.  That was supposed to be JS strength.  JMO but maybe JS has had many more plays called to go downfield, but starts running for his life.  Then he gets time on occasion, gets a little too excited about the receiver being open or just thinks he has to make this play, and over shoots the receiver.  We have the personnel in the skill positions to get it done.  I seriously think the Hastings injury was a bigger hamper than anything for JS this year (of course other than Oline play).