Gameday primer: Jarquez won’t play

[WFE12 9,191]

Game day primer: Previewing Auburn's season opener against UMass

Justin Hokanson

AUBURN — Hugh Freeze and Auburn football will host UMass (1-0) on Saturday, September 2, at 2:30 pm CT. The game will be televised on ESPN. The broadcast crew will be Beth Mowins, Kirk Morrison and Stormy Buonantony. The betting line fluctuated between Auburn being a 35-point favorite to 38-point favorite during the week. Check out this three-section preview to get you ready for the game.

Three storylines to monitor

Will Jarquez Hunter play?

Auburn Live reported on Thursday that the expectation is that Hunter will not play in the opener. As of Wednesday, teammates had been told he won’t play, and the expectation is that Damari Alston starts, with Brian Battie and Jeremiah Cobbbeing the primary backups. That’s confirmed. If anything has changed since then, Auburn Live is unaware. Hunter’s entire situation has been shrouded in secrecy as Freeze as avoided commenting on the university investigation that resulted in Hunter being kept away from the football facility during the summer and not being seen with the team during the first couple of days of fall camp practice. If Hunter plays, there would have been a change in the decision that was made earlier in the week.

Does Jalen McLeod play?

The Appalachian State transfer has been slowed by a right ankle injury since before the final fall camp scrimmage and was a player who Freeze mentioned as questionable entering the opener. McLeod is Auburn’s most talented pass rusher and playing against an athletic quarterback, his talents could be used in the opener. Freeze mentioned all the injured players potentially trying to play, but being limited. It’s possible McLeod gives it a go, but don’t expect to see a 100-percent McLeod against UMass, and he may be kept out all together. 

What to expect from Philip Montgomeryand Ron Roberts
 

 

Montgomery and Freeze come together to combine RPO elements with vertical passing game elements in hopes of scoring a lot of points in the SEC. How will a new quarterback and evolving receivers impact the trajectory of this offense? The tempo on offense will look similar to what Auburn fans have seen in the past, but many of the plays and schemes will vary from that of Gus Malzahn.

Roberts arrives with an attacking style of defense, but is the depth good enough on defense to get the job done? The Tigers’ defense will look different than that of the last two seasons, with the goal of “wreaking havoc” on the opponent, specifically by making plays in the backfield. The main issue Roberts has to contend with is depth, and is there enough to last the season. But for game one, it’ll be interesting to see how aggressive Roberts gets, or if the opener is all about finding the groove without putting too much on his defense’s plate.

Three players to watch

Damari Alston, RB

Even if Hunter does play, Alston would still be a great choice here. The sophomore running back has been wildly praised by coaches and teammates during the spring, summer and into fall camp, as a developing player and leader to keep an eye on. Alston earned a place on the team’s Culture Council, a group dedicated to helping uphold the standards that Freeze wants for the football program. Alston scored touchdowns in both fall scrimmages and all signs point towards a breakout season. That might very well start against UMass with a 100-yard-plus performance.

Austin Keys, LB

There might not be a more important player on Auburn’s defense than Keys. During fall camp, Roberts spoke about this being a “linebacker-driven” defense. If that’s the case, it’ll start with Keys, who will man the middle linebacker position and make defensive calls. Keys was limited late in fall camp with an injury, but appears ready to go. Watching Keys operate and lead will be an important element to watch in game one. It may provide a clear picture of what’s to come this season.

Shane Hooks, WR

The Jackson State transfer was the talk of fall camp after catching two touchdowns in the final fall scrimmage. He’s steadily improved as the season approached, and from talking to coaches and players, seems like the most capable and consistent playmaker on the Auburn offense at receiver. Hooks is listed as a starter on the depth chart handed out to the media ahead of the opener and that momentum should be carried into the game against UMass. If Hooks finds consistency in his game, the UMass game could be the start of a special season for the talented pass catcher.
 

Three notes to keep in mind

It will be the first meeting between Auburn and UMass. The Minutemen will be the 87th FBS team of 133 current FBS members that Auburn has played. Of the 86 FBS teams Auburn has previously played, the Tigers have defeated 79 at least once; the only exceptions: Minnesota, Oklahoma, Rice, SMU, South Florida and Texas Tech.

Auburn has been dominant in season openers in recent history. The Tigers are 101-27-2 all-time in season openers, and have won 15 of their last 17 openers dating back to the 2006 season. The only losses are both to Clemson, in the 2012 season and the 2016 season.

With five opponents in the 2023 preseason AP poll, no team is set to face more ranked opponents than Auburn (5). Those include Georgia (1), Alabama (4), LSU (5), Ole Miss (22) and Texas A&M (23).

Bonus note: Because of updated seating, the capacity crowd inside Jordan-Hare Stadium is now 88,043. With a sellout crowd expected, the UMass game will be the largest official crowd in the history of Auburn football.

[Bottomfeeder 244]

Why is Hunter not playing? Grades? Drugs? Disciplinary issues?

[shabby 1,958]

Did they update after the game?

[WarTim 3,457]

Bump

[toddc 13,194]

3 hours ago, Bottomfeeder said:

Why is Hunter not playing? Grades? Drugs? Disciplinary issues?

Have you been in a bubble or is this sarcasm? Not being mean but just wondering.

[shabby 1,958]

There was supposed to be a post game update about Hunter wasnt there? 

[AUApostle 7,663]

22 minutes ago, toddc said:

Have you been in a bubble or is this sarcasm? Not being mean but just wondering.

It’s not funny if he has to explain it.

[AUApostle 7,663]

3 hours ago, Bottomfeeder said:

Why is Hunter not playing? Grades? Drugs? Disciplinary issues?

Heard he reported a scooter prank as a theft.

[Never2Yield 1,005]

Just now, AUDevil said:

Heard he reported a scooter prank as a theft.

Somewhat funny.

[AUApostle 7,663]

Just now, Never2Yield said:

Somewhat funny.

That’s better than the eye role I usually get from my kids

[Never2Yield 1,005]

1 minute ago, AUDevil said:

That’s better than the eye role I usually get from my kids

As a fellow father, I understand.

[tigeraddikt 1,626]

Stiff penalty

[shabby 1,958]

5 minutes ago, tigeraddikt said:

Stiff penalty

What was the penalty?

[AUatHeart 626]

53 minutes ago, shabby said:

What was the penalty?

🤦‍♂️

[jAUSon 2,836]

1 hour ago, shabby said:

What was the penalty?

Stiff

[shabby 1,958]

seeking information. get  dick jokes. lovely

 

 

[cbo 8,063]

3 hours ago, shabby said:

seeking information. get  dick jokes. lovely

 

 

Sorry, I'm sure that's HARD. 

 

 

[jmcrosson 203]

It was said that there would be a post-game update, which didn’t happen. I watched the postgame presser and couldn’t believe there wasn’t 1 question asked about him. Disappointing journalism. I just want to know if he was injured or if it’s a suspension, and if a suspension, how many games?

[roe4christ 949]

58 minutes ago, jmcrosson said:

It was said that there would be a post-game update, which didn’t happen. I watched the postgame presser and couldn’t believe there wasn’t 1 question asked about him. Disappointing journalism. I just want to know if he was injured or if it’s a suspension, and if a suspension, how many games?

I think we all want to know.  Probably will come out by Monday, as to his availability for the Cal game.

 

[AUfan_UAgrad 230]

12 hours ago, shabby said:

There was supposed to be a post game update about Hunter wasnt there? 

Yeah Beth said multiple times to tune in to the post game presser to hear more about the Hunter situation ...... and nothing.  Jeez can she stir the pot or what.  She point blank said Auburn is cheating when she said Auburn "poaches players from other teams".