A small bright spot

[benjazz 0]

After yesterday, our defense is 49th in the nation in points allowed. Given our schedule I think that's pretty good. That's better than we have been in a while and seem to be moving forward on defensive improvement. BVG is slowly but surely improving the D.

[gbau1985 0]

I was very proud of the defense play. They seem to be making great strides every week, The line still needs to get more push, but I thought the linebacker play has really improved since the start of the season.

[texastiger09 0]

Whatever happens I just hope van Gorder is retained along with boulware

[around4ever 4,136]

Another bright spot was that we had 10 different players catch passes. How long has it been since we had that many players catch passes in a game? Blake still led the way with 10 catches but still, this is a step in the right direction.

[Nashville War Eagle 0]

Josh Holsey. Kid is gonna be good.

[wareagle365 0]

^^^^seconded^^^^ bvg and boulware do work^^^

[msg6367 1]

After yesterday, our defense is 49th in the nation in points allowed. Given our schedule I think that's pretty good. That's better than we have been in a while and seem to be moving forward on defensive improvement. BVG is slowly but surely improving the D.

Sunshine pumper...

[cole256 16,303]

I'm really not seeing what people are seeing in our defense

[theagent39 0]

BVG is slowly making strides with the defense but the DTs are still a non-factor and they won't turn the corner until they become a force. I personally knew the QB position could be an issue but I think the DTs have been the biggest bust this season

[gbau1985 0]

Another bright spot was that we had 10 different players catch passes. How long has it been since we had that many players catch passes in a game? Blake still led the way with 10 catches but still, this is a step in the right direction.

+1

Frazier and Holland have been making noticeable improvements. Although I defer to the coaches decisions, I was surprised to see Frazier pulled for the second half.

[vatz22au 134]

Another bright spot was that we had 10 different players catch passes. How long has it been since we had that many players catch passes in a game? Blake still led the way with 10 catches but still, this is a step in the right direction.

+1

Frazier and Holland have been making noticeable improvements. Although I defer to the coaches decisions, I was surprised to see Frazier pulled for the second half.

Eh.. I have mixed emotions about Holland. He's out there because he's the smartest but definitely not because he's the most athletic. Love the heart from him but he cannot get off a block if his life depended on it.

Nonetheless, Vangorder has done a great job with our D. One of the few things I've been impressed with.

[benjazz 0]

There were many times this year I thought they should pull Frazier, but yesterday was NOT one of them

[benjazz 0]

I don't know if my eyes deceived me but it looked like Bates was calling the defenses yesterday. Anyone else notice that?

[au1n04 0]

I don't know if my eyes deceived me but it looked like Bates was calling the defenses yesterday. Anyone else notice that?

I did not notice it but I did hear CVG rip into Holland prior to a commercial break about missing a sign. On the TV you could hear CVG scream "Did you not see the sign???!!!" And then somone patted Holland on the head.

[around4ever 4,136]

I don't know if my eyes deceived me but it looked like Bates was calling the defenses yesterday. Anyone else notice that?

No. Holland made the calls when he was on the field. Bates made the calls only when Holland wasn't on the field.

[benjazz 0]

I don't know if my eyes deceived me but it looked like Bates was calling the defenses yesterday. Anyone else notice that?

No. Holland made the calls when he was on the field. Bates made the calls only when Holland wasn't on the field.

OK, I don't recall if Holland was on the field or not.

[maxwere 82]

Agree Ben. I thought Ark executed very well to get what they got. This was the best defensive effort against Ark since the 2002? game. Martinez seems to be doing a great job with his players as well. It's ashame with what we have on O.

I think we'd have beaten both those teams in Oxford last night even yesterday. Our problems aren't as big as we think (a play or two short every game). They've just been massively exposed by quality competition.

[Raven_tiger 5]

...if we keep it up we will the #1 draft selection...

[Raven_tiger 5]

Thats amazing considering the skewed top and turnover differential...bvg is trying to turn things around.

[WarTiger 3,705]

I'm really not seeing what people are seeing in our defense

Well, going back to the beginning of the season, I can't recall one positive post from you concerning anything at Auburn so this doesn't surprise me.

On the other hand, I realize its very difficult to endure what we have had to watch this year, but its pretty obvious to me the Defense is vastly improved. We are nowhere close to where us Auburn fans are accustomed to seeing, but we are getting there.

Here's some things to support my view:

Through 6 games last year Auburn had given up 30 points or more FOUR TIMES. Utah State (38), Miss. State (34), Clemson (38) and Arkansas (38).

This year: Auburn has yet to give up 30 points in a game.

Auburn has entered the 2nd half with a chance to win every game. Because our offense is struggling so much the defense is on the field WAY TOO long. We can't expect that defense to stop a team, time after time while getting zero help from the offense. It takes a consistent offense to keep the defense off the field so they can get rest and remain fresh.

In the 2nd half Auburn has been outscored in every game.

Clemson: 9-13

MSU: 7-21

ULM: 10-14

LSU: 0-3

Ark: 7-14

With a consistent offense, our opponent wouldn't get nearly the same amount of opportunities. Here's another HUGE factor. TURNOVERS. Auburn has committed SEVENTEEN turnovers. We are MINUS 11 in turnovers. I firmly believe that without the 2nd half fumble by Blakely (Auburn was up 28-14 at the time) we go up 3 scores and that game is never close. But, it happened, and our defense is right back out there, and our offense did NOTHING the rest of the game.

Auburn drives vs. ULM after the Blakely fumble:

3 plays - 8 yards - 1:58 Auburn Punt

6 plays - 13 yards - 2:29 Auburn INT

3 plays - -2 yards - 1:38 Auburn Punt

Game is tied now:

4 plays - 17 yards - 0:50 Auburn punt

That game being close is TOTALLY on the offense.

Let's look at the offensive drives in the 2nd half of the LSU game:

4 plays - -7 yards - 2:10 Auburn Punt (lead to LSU go ahead FG) only a 35 yard drive by lsu.

3 plays - 4 yards - 1:44 Auburn INT

7 plays - 42 yards - 3:24 Auburn Punt (drive got to the LSU 40)

3 Plays - 9 yards - 2:07 Auburn punt

6 plays - 20 yards - 3:47 Auburn Punt (ball at midfield)

5 plays - 17 yards - under a minute on clock when possession started - Drive ended with INTERCEPTION.

Our defense gave up THREE total points in the second half to LSU. THREE. What more do you want them to do?? It's not the defense's fault that the offense can't move the ball.

Those numbers tell me that its the offense that isn't getting it done, not the defense. I'm sure the numbers would be similar in the other games this year.

[WarEagle10 77]

Our D is improving. No question in my mind about that. Our field looked awesome, as usual. Two bright spots IMO.

[ALTiger 16]

This game was lost bc of two things:

1. The lack of blocking and cohesiveness of the O line

2. KF inability to either throw the ball away or tuck and run

[gbau1985 0]

I'm really not seeing what people are seeing in our defense

Well, going back to the beginning of the season, I can't recall one positive post from you concerning anything at Auburn so this doesn't surprise me.

.

My thoughts too.

[AUlaxkid5 0]

I did not see it but one of my friends told me Josh Holsey absolutely layed out an Arkansas player late in the game. Anyone have a video of this?

[tbone4jc 2,091]

There were many times this year I thought they should pull Frazier, but yesterday was NOT one of them

Completely agree