Things I Think I Saw: AU vs aTm

[JMR 2,118]

HUGE win for Auburn Football yesterday.  Very tough place to play, and against a good, well-coached team with lots of good players. Took a great effort from EVERY player who got on the field. Kudos to everyone involved for a job well-done.  Here are some of the Things I Think I Saw.....
 

• The reverse to Schwartz was a beautiful play, not only because it worked, but also for how well it was executed. AU faked the buck sweep to Whitlow, even pulling both guards to give the aTm linebackers and safeties bad reads.  Bo Nix got just enough of a block on the play to ensure Schwartz got a clean start.
   
• The Joey Gatewood TD pass to Shenker was also executed beautifully.  Auburn lined up unbalanced right, with Shenker the end man on the left.  He was completely uncovered, and Gatewood threw a very catchable pass.
   
• Derrick Brown was a huge factor in the game.  The big man had 3 TFL's, including 2 sacks, and he and Truesdell got push up the middle pretty much throughout the game.  Brown is a rare player, and I'm glad we get this one more season to watch him play for AU.
   
• Auburn's young linebackers continue to get better every week.  K.J. Britt is quickly becoming one of the better linebackers Auburn has had in a while.  This week, it was Zacoby McClain stepping up his game. Love the way he hits people.
   
• This was a strange game in terms of the officiating in the secondary.  Don't remember when I've seen as much pushing, shoving, and grabbing between defensive backs and receivers go uncalled, at least not involving teams not named Alabama.  Noah Igbinoghene led the Auburn defense with 8 solo tackles, and it seemed like he was involved in every other play.
   
• Looked to me like Kevin Steele was more aggressive to start this game than in any of the others so far this season. Auburn played a good bit of man, and went to some fairly exotic blitzes once AU took a 14-point lead and aTm was forced to throw more often.
   
• Christian Tutt is becoming a vital part of the AU defense.  He made an incredible play on a blitz, when Kellen Mond broke contain.  Tutt reversed his field and chased Mond down after a 4-yard gain on a play that would have given aTm a critical first down.  Tutt is also a very dangerous weapon as a punt returner. Twice in this game he gave the Auburn offense great field position on punt returns.
   
• I was interested in seeing aTm punter Braden Mann this week.  Mann won the Ray Guy Award as the nation's top punter in 2018. He had an up-and-down day against Auburn yesterday, but did manage to average 56 yards on six punts, with a long of 68 yards. I realize he doesn't play for Auburn, but I enjoy watching someone do something exceptionally well, regardless.
   
• I thought Gus called a very good game, with occasional lapses. He seemed to get off track now and then, usually with a trick play as the catalyst, but overall, I was impressed. The use of multiple backs to run the ball in the first half was good, for multiple reasons. Boobee Whitlow was fresh in the second half, when AU was in position to try to run the clock, "other guys" (like Shivers and Harold Joiner) got some carries and a chance to be a part of the game, and the offense was less predictable. I thought Joiner looked pretty good at running back on the few plays he got.
   
• Bo Nix is getting better each week.  Yes, he overthrew some passes that could have been real difference makers. But he is making more good decisions than bad, and the ratio of good to bad is improving steadily.  His feet get choppy now and then, and he gets away from the fundamentals.  But he is a little better on that each week, and so far, Auburn is unbeaten with him at QB.
   
• I like what I see of Jay Jay Wilson, the tight end/H-back transfer from Arizona State.  He runs well, has good hands, and is an excellent blocker.  I'd love to see him used more in the passing game, whether it be at tight end, or as a WR, where he has mostly lined up so far this season.  In any case, I like the guy and am glad we have him.
   
• I thought the offensive line was improved for the second straight week. Was hard to put much value on their play last week, given the quality of Kent State as an opponent, but this week they were going against a very stout front.  They weren't perfect, but they won more individual battles than they lost.  Marquell Harrell has pretty much become our top drive blocker, and the oft-maligned Kaleb Kim has gotten better over the course of these first four games. Kim played pretty well and pretty consistently yesterday, despite a poor shotgun snap (which I saw got him officially credited with a fumble).
   
• VERY impressive that the AU defense held aTm to 2.7 yards per rushing attempt. That's winning football, in any league.
   
• Auburn's secondary has been really impressive tackling in space. Lots of sure tackles made one-on-one in open space yesterday, Smoke Monday's miss on an aTm touchdown notwithstanding.  In fairness to Monday, I kind of felt like he had the targeting foul from last week on his mind when he went to make the play.
   
• Great defensive stand by the defense when aTm was first-and-goal at the two with 6 minutes left.
   
• The AU defense is going to need "more" out of Big Kat Bryant and TD Moultry.  The two did not record a tackle between them yesterday.  Bryant had 3 QB hurries but offset that with 3 offsides penalties.
   

On to the next one.  Great to have the A&M win in the conference books.  Not everything was perfect, but that happens when you play a quality opponent. Overall, I thought Auburn played very well.  Of course, the idea is to be even better next week, and better still the week after that. So far, it looks like the Tigers are following that path.  We have a chance to be an outstanding team by season's end. Just gotta keep grinding.

WAR EAGLE!!

 

[Barnacle 9,064]

Great read as always. Also liked that you complimented our secondary on their tackling in space. They've really been standing out in that regard. 

@JMR when you have a secondary that tackles as well as our has been, does it allow Kevin Steele to be more aggressive in his calls?

[JMR 2,118]

39 minutes ago, Barnacle said:

Great read as always. Also liked that you complimented our secondary on their tackling in space. They've really been standing out in that regard. 

@JMR when you have a secondary that tackles as well as our has been, does it allow Kevin Steele to be more aggressive in his calls?

I think so. Maybe not so much "aggressive", but it certainly allows you to do things you might be reluctant to do otherwise.

[fredst 9,064]

Great analysis as always, coach. I love it when you agree with me, lol- I had pointed out McClain’s excellent play yesterday (as well as our generally very good LB play) and absolutely love Tutt’s play so far this year (heck, I think our whole secondary has been lights out, just want them to finish some of those close plays on the ball). Great observation about Monday’s missed tackle. WDE!

[Sizzle 3,909]

I wonder what Garner told the d line heading into the game. There had to be something going on with all those offsides/encroachment penalties. We do need more from those bucks. TD almost got to Mond once but he slipped the tackle and got a first down. I didn’t hear Marlon or Coe’s name get called either

[AUld fAUx@ 2,584]

1 hour ago, JMR said:

...

• This was a strange game in terms of the officiating in the secondary. Don't remember when I've seen as much pushing, shoving, and grabbing between defensive backs and receivers go uncalled, at least not involving teams not named Alabama. Noah Igbinoghene led the Auburn defense with 8 solo tackles, and it seemed like he was involved in every other play.
• ..

 

^Even I found this one notable^, and many thanks for the overall post

[WarNole 141]

I look forward to your posts Coach!  Great analysis as always.

[milehighfan 1,240]

I really look forward to your observations. I thought a real critical point in the game was the 69 yard drive which not only put points on tbe board but took valuable time off the clock. It was a real take that move by Auburn. Way yo go Tigers. Keep up the good work.

 

 

[AUFriction 1,179]

I agree with the odd officiating in the secondary. It was even more apparent after rewatching the game this morning. At least it seemed mostly even, but I'm sure the aggie fans, having lost, are griping about 1 or 2 of those calls that may have legitimately ended scoring drives for them. 

Still, they don't have much to complain about since they were holding our defensive line all game. We would have stopped them on a few of those later scoring drives if they had been correctly called for holds.  

It seems like the refs were mostly content to just let them play the game, which I'd prefer to flags coming out every 20 seconds over anything that even resembles a penalty.

[doc4aday 1,887]

The team played probably its best game since Purdue. I was most satisfied with Gus' play calling most of the game. I would give him an A- grade. Coach Steele gets an A grade. If we play the rest of the big teams this well, could be a nice & very fun season.  I hope we go into Baton Rouge and drill LSU. That would be very satisfying indeed.  I think playing in front of TAMU, FLorida large loud crowds will have us ready for LSU.  I do not see Tiger Stadium being that much louder than TAMU & Florida. Those games should have us ready to play in front of large crowds.

TAMU fans are are fierce & loyal fans, but have class and treat the opposition with respect unlike we will see at LSU & to a lesser degree at FLorida. UGA looks very beatable as do the turds. 

[WarTim 3,456]

Thanks Coach. God Bless and War Eagle!!

[bigbird 60,440]

1 hour ago, AUFriction said:

 I agree with the odd officiating in the secondary. It was even more apparent after rewatching the game this morning. At least it seemed mostly even, but I'm sure the aggie fans, having lost, are griping about 1 or 2 of those calls that may have legitimately ended scoring drives for them. 

Still, they don't have much to complain about since they were holding our defensive line all game. We would have stopped them on a few of those later scoring drives if they had been correctly called for holds.  

It seems like the refs were mostly content to just let them play the game, which I'd prefer to flags coming out every 20 seconds over anything that even resembles a penalty.

There were probably 2 blatantly missed DPI. One where they went over the top of Stove and one on Roger. The rest were how it should be called. There has been such a castration of the secondary that it's almost impossible to play tight man-to-man coverage. They could call it on almost every play the way it's being called today. It was nice to see the refs let both teams play. Just my very biased opinion.

[meh130 1,043]

Honestly, I think this might have been the best offensive play called game since 2017 UGA. We seemed to have plays designed to take advantage of specific aTm defensive expectations, and called them at the right time. The RB rotation was key as well.

While some of these plays were "Malzahn Classics", such as the "Triple Option" Inside Zone Read/RPO WR Hitch, they worked very well against aTm. Also, the intermediate passes over the middle are very "un-Malzahn" plays.

[CleCoTiger 1,957]

6 hours ago, JMR said:

HUGE win for Auburn Football yesterday.  Very tough place to play, and against a good, well-coached team with lots of good players.

Love your "Things I Thought I Saw" as always, coach!  And that sentence I quoted? That's a mouthful right there. Some folks don't seem to want to give these Tigers the credit they deserve. After opening with a win at JerryWorld against Oregon and then getting this W in College Station, I am cautiously optimistic for what lies ahead.

War Eagle!

[ArgoEagle 1,770]

Tutt has been outstanding all year. Would still like to see Joiner just a bit more on offense.  He is a physical specimen. I hope Gus has finally seen that passes to the TE and slants are weapons we need to use more, and more outside runs. Overall well done Gus.👌

[Piketiger1990 173]

TD or Big Kat has to step up. That’s the one key missing piece to our defense is a consistent pass rush from the DE/Buck.  

[AU64 10,122]

40 minutes ago, ArgoEagle said:

Tutt has been outstanding all year. Would still like to see Joiner just a bit more on offense.  He is a physical specimen. I hope Gus has finally seen that passes to the TE and slants are weapons we need to use more, and more outside runs. Overall well done Gus.👌

just my opinion but you do what you have to do to win a game and you don't show everything from the start of the season. I doubt we have seen the full offense yet.

Someone commented on big Kat and I wonder what was going on that caused all of the offsides. Those penalties kept some drives alive and made for some short first down opportunities for the Aggies. That stuff has to stop.

[toddc 13,194]

5 minutes ago, AU64 said:

just my opinion but you do what you have to do to win a game and you don't show everything from the start of the season. I doubt we have seen the full offense yet.

Someone commented on big Kat and I wonder what was going on that caused all of the offsides. Those penalties kept some drives alive and made for some short first down opportunities for the Aggies. That stuff has to stop.

I think their center was adjusting the ball(legal if doesn’t fake a snap) and trying to get us to jump, and of course we did.

[alexava 6,973]

Coach, one thing I’ll say you were wrong about, I’ll also admit it looked the same to me live, but the chip block bo got on the Flash  td was useless. Lol he was long gone. It takes a rewatch to realize that. I know you haven’t rewatched. 

[RunInRed 16,370]

18 hours ago, JMR said:

K.J. Britt is quickly becoming one of the better linebackers Auburn has had in a while

 

[RunInRed 16,370]

18 hours ago, JMR said:

Derrick Brown was a huge factor in the game. 

 

[Gowebb11 9,313]

I haven’t seen this mentioned, but I was happy to see James Owens-Moss start and play a lot. When I watched him, he seemed to give great effort and blocked pretty well. Always happy to see a walk on have success. 

[around4ever 4,139]

11 hours ago, toddc said:

I think their center was adjusting the ball(legal if doesn’t fake a snap) and trying to get us to jump, and of course we did.

Isn't it legal for the center to adjust the ball when he first gets over it, but not after everybody is set and cadence has begun?  Something other than hard count was causing us to jump. 

[Gowebb11 9,313]

Just now, around4ever said:

Isn't it legal for the center to adjust the ball when he first gets over it, but not after everybody is set and cadence has begun?  Something other than hard count was causing us to jump. 

It want out interior guys jumping, just Big Kat and I think TD once. Both of them have a history of doing that, and I don’t understand as juniors why they are still doing it regularly. 

[Gowebb11 9,313]

8 minutes ago, RunInRed said:

 

My goodness, Britt closed fast.