9.12.23 Football Articles

[aubiefifty 17,100]

 

[aubiefifty 17,100]

 

[aubiefifty 17,100]

 

[aubiefifty 17,100]

i think this is it for today. thanx for stopping by and war eagle!

[aubiefifty 17,100]

spoke too soon................

 

 

Auburn tweaks depth chart ahead of matchup with Samford

JD McCarthy

Tue, September 12, 2023 at 9:00 AM CDT·3 min read

0

 

 

For the first time this season, Auburn has made some changes to its depth chart. The Tigers revealed their depth chart for their Week 3 game against Samford on Monday and there have been several changes on the defensive side of the ball.

The first is that starting middle linebacker Austin Keys has been removed from it. This is no surprise after it was announced that he had surgery for a thumb injury and is out indefinitely, Larry Nixon III has been elevated to the starter in his absence.

There has also been a change at weakside linebacker but this one is due to the breakout of Eugene Asante. He was one of Auburn’s top players last week and led the Tigers with 12 tackles and is now listed as the starter.

The next change is at jack, where Jalen McLeod is now listed as the starter. McLeod was held out in Week 1 as he recovered from an injury but was on the field for 57 snaps and made three tackles in Auburn’s victory over Cal.

 

Here is a look at the full depth chart ahead of their game against Samford Saturday night in Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Quarterback

 

Photo by Austin Perryman/Auburn Tigers

Starter: Payton Thorne

Backups: Robby Ashford OR Holden Geriner

Running Back

 

Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports

Starter: Jarquez Hunter

Backups: Damari Alston, Brian Battie

Tight End

 

Photo by Austin Perryman/Auburn Tigers

Starter: Rivaldo Fairweather OR Luke Deal

Backups: Tyler Fromm OR Brandon Frazier, Micah Riley

Wide Receiver

 

 

Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports

Starter: Jyaire Shorter OR Omari Kelly

Backups: Koy Moore

Wide Receiver

 

Photo by Austin Perryman/Auburn Tigers

Starter: Jay Fair OR Ja’Varrius Johnson

Backups: Caleb Burton III

Wide Receiver

 

Photo by Jamie Holt/Auburn Tigers

Starter: Shane Hooks

Backups: Camden Brown OR Nick Mardner

Left Tackle

 

John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

Starter: Dillon Wade

Backup: Jaden Muskrat

Left Guard

 

Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics

Starter: Jeremiah Wright

Backup: Tate Johnson

Center

 

Photo by Austin Perryman/Auburn Tigers

Starter: Avery Jones

Backup: Connor Lew

Right Guard

 

Photo By Austin Perryman

Starter: Kam Stutts

Backup: Jalil Irvin

Right Tackle

 

Photo by Austin Perryman/Auburn Tigers

Starter: Gunner Britton

Backup: Izavion Miller

Defensive End

 

Photo by Austin Perryman/Auburn Tigers

Starter: Mosiah Nasili-Kite

Backups: Keldric Faulk OR Zykevious Walker

Nose Tackle

 

Zach Bland/Auburn Tigers

Starter: Jayson Jones

Backup: Justin Rogers

Defensive Tackle

 

AU/Athletics

Starter: Marcus Harris

Backup: Lawrence Johnson

Jack

 

Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports

Starter: Jalen McLeod

Backups: Elijah McAllister, Stephen Sings V

Middle Linebacker

 

Photo By Austin Perryman

Starter: Larry Nixon III

Backup: Wesley Steiner

Weakside Linebacker

 

Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports

Starter: Eugene Asante

Backup: Cam Riley

Fieldside Cornerback

 

Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports

Starter: D.J. James

Backups: Kayin Lee OR Colton Hood

Star

 

Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports

Starter: Keionte Scott

Backup: Donovan Kaufman

Field Safety

 

Shanna Lockwood/AU Athletics

Starter: Jaylin Simpson

Backup: Griffin Speaks

Weak Safety

 

Zach Bland/AU Athletics

Starter: Zion Puckett

Backups: Marquise Gilbert, Terrance Love

Boundary Cornerback

 

(AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

Starter: Nehemiah Pritchett

Backups: Champ Anthony OR J.D. Rhym

Punt Returner

 

(Photo by Brandon Sumrall/Getty Images)

Starter: Keionte Scott

Backup: Caleb Burton III

Kick Returner

 

(AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

Starters: Brian Battie, Jarquez Hunter

Special Teams

 

Photo by Austin Perryman/Auburn Tigers

Punter: Oscar Chapman

Place Kicker: Alex McPherson

Holder: Oscar Chapman

Long Snapper: Reed Hughes

Story originally appeared on Auburn Wire

[Paladin 3,305]

Roberts making an impact early in his career as Auburn's DC

Auburn's Ron Roberts has made an early impact for the Tigers on the defensive side of the ball.

Jason Caldwell

JASON CALDWELL

AUBURN, Alabama—When Hugh Freeze hired veteran defensive coordinator Ron Roberts to run the show on that side of the ball for the Tigers he was looking to bring in an experienced play-caller and tactician to go up against the up-tempo offenses that rule college football in 2023. Through two weeks with Roberts in charge, it’s safe to say that Freeze has gotten a strong start from the defense as the Tigers head into this Saturday’s game against Samford at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

“Really proud of our kids and the staff,” Freeze said of the defense. “They just kept battling and found a way to get off the field and get important stops. Did we improve from Week 1 to Week 2? Absolutely. Now, are we fixed yet and ready to say we're fixing to dominate and hold every opponent to 10 points? I would like to say that, but that's not accurate. We've got to keep working because there are tougher tasks ahead.”

Currently tied for 20th nationally in scoring defense (12 ppg) and 34th in total defense (287 ypg), Auburn has been really good through two weeks with Roberts in charge. Without a dominant player up front for the Tigers, Roberts and his staff have covered that up by using a variety of blitz looks, fronts and stunts to free up players at the line of scrimmage.

Because of creating negative plays, Auburn’s defense is currently fifth in the country in allowing third down conversions at just 18.52 percent so far. In addition, the Tigers have allowed just four plays of 20 yards or more. That’s tied for 14th nationally.

One of the players that has seen his role change under Roberts is star Keionte Scott. A true coverage guy last season at the nickel, Scott has been used more at the line of scrimmage through two games and it has been a role he’s enjoyed.

Watching as Roberts teaches during the week and then puts it into play on Saturdays, Scott said it has been fun to see everything come together in the first two weeks.

“It's just crazy to see, as a defense, the way he's explaining things and breaking down film in the week,” Scott said. “Then to come out on Saturday and see it unfold the way he's explained it and the way it should unfold and having the right checks for those plays, it's just crazy to see sometimes to see how defensive-minded he is and how much he takes his job seriously.”

Another player that has been reborn under Roberts and the new scheme is linebacker Eugene Asante. A downhill linebacker that has fit in well with the aggressive playing style under the first-year coordinator, the former UNC player has nothing but positive things to say about what Auburn is doing on defense and it all starts with Roberts.

“He's a really smart coach,” Asante said. “All he does in terms of his defense is pass that on to us and tries to make things as simple as possible. That knowledge and ability to adjust on the fly is something we continue to build on and that's something that I've seen the most from Week 1 to Week 2.

“For football it's really an ongoing process and we'll continue to grow upon it and continue to hone in on our details and ultimately I think it'll be really good for us if we continue to build upon the foundation we built on Saturday.”

[aubiefifty 17,100]

24 minutes ago, Paladin said:

Roberts making an impact early in his career as Auburn's DC

Auburn's Ron Roberts has made an early impact for the Tigers on the defensive side of the ball.

Jason Caldwell

JASON CALDWELL

AUBURN, Alabama—When Hugh Freeze hired veteran defensive coordinator Ron Roberts to run the show on that side of the ball for the Tigers he was looking to bring in an experienced play-caller and tactician to go up against the up-tempo offenses that rule college football in 2023. Through two weeks with Roberts in charge, it’s safe to say that Freeze has gotten a strong start from the defense as the Tigers head into this Saturday’s game against Samford at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

“Really proud of our kids and the staff,” Freeze said of the defense. “They just kept battling and found a way to get off the field and get important stops. Did we improve from Week 1 to Week 2? Absolutely. Now, are we fixed yet and ready to say we're fixing to dominate and hold every opponent to 10 points? I would like to say that, but that's not accurate. We've got to keep working because there are tougher tasks ahead.”

Currently tied for 20th nationally in scoring defense (12 ppg) and 34th in total defense (287 ypg), Auburn has been really good through two weeks with Roberts in charge. Without a dominant player up front for the Tigers, Roberts and his staff have covered that up by using a variety of blitz looks, fronts and stunts to free up players at the line of scrimmage.

Because of creating negative plays, Auburn’s defense is currently fifth in the country in allowing third down conversions at just 18.52 percent so far. In addition, the Tigers have allowed just four plays of 20 yards or more. That’s tied for 14th nationally.

One of the players that has seen his role change under Roberts is star Keionte Scott. A true coverage guy last season at the nickel, Scott has been used more at the line of scrimmage through two games and it has been a role he’s enjoyed.

Watching as Roberts teaches during the week and then puts it into play on Saturdays, Scott said it has been fun to see everything come together in the first two weeks.

“It's just crazy to see, as a defense, the way he's explaining things and breaking down film in the week,” Scott said. “Then to come out on Saturday and see it unfold the way he's explained it and the way it should unfold and having the right checks for those plays, it's just crazy to see sometimes to see how defensive-minded he is and how much he takes his job seriously.”

Another player that has been reborn under Roberts and the new scheme is linebacker Eugene Asante. A downhill linebacker that has fit in well with the aggressive playing style under the first-year coordinator, the former UNC player has nothing but positive things to say about what Auburn is doing on defense and it all starts with Roberts.

“He's a really smart coach,” Asante said. “All he does in terms of his defense is pass that on to us and tries to make things as simple as possible. That knowledge and ability to adjust on the fly is something we continue to build on and that's something that I've seen the most from Week 1 to Week 2.

“For football it's really an ongoing process and we'll continue to grow upon it and continue to hone in on our details and ultimately I think it'll be really good for us if we continue to build upon the foundation we built on Saturday.”

thanx for posting. by the way i used to watch Paladin and enjoyed it. then i watched john wayne in big jake and paladin was evil and i quit liking him that much...........lol

[ertrader 206]

Has it been Ashford OR Geriner all season or is that new?

[aubiefifty 17,100]

5 minutes ago, ertrader said:

Has it been Ashford OR Geriner all season or is that new?

i think robby was number two but i am old and senile..................

[aubiefifty 17,100]

Auburn falls in ESPN’s Football Power Index ranking

Brian Hauch

Tue, September 12, 2023 at 12:30 PM CDT·4 min read

0

 

 

The Auburn Tigers fell three spots in this week’s ESPN Football Power Index (FPI) following a sluggish 14-10 win over Pac-12 opponent Cal last week.

While the Tigers’ defense played well enough to crack the top six in the country, the sub-par showing from the offense ultimately led to Auburn falling from 22 overall to 25.

The FPI ranks each college football team by a variety of factors; Strength of record, strength of schedule, offensive efficiency, defensive efficiency, and overall efficiency.

Here’s a look at where Auburn ranks in several major categories in the ESPN FPI after a 2-0 start to the Hugh Freeze era.

Overall Ranking: No. 25

 

Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports

Auburn was ranked 22 overall after the dismantling of the UMass Minutemen in week one.

 

Despite winning again and improving to 2-0 on the young season, the offense showed enough signs of struggle that Auburn actually fell three spots this week, to 25 overall.

The Cincinnati Bearcats, Miami Hurricanes, and the Gus Malzahn led UCF Knights leapfrogged the Tigers this week.

Strength of Record: No. 3

 

Photo by Austin Perryman/Auburn Tigers

PAC-12 teams are 21-4 on the young season, as the only teams to lose games have been Stanford (USC), Arizona State (Oklahoma St), Arizona (MISS St), and Auburn’s last opponent, Cal.

The conference currently holds three of the top six spots in the FPI as Utah,  Oregon, and Colorado rank four, five, and six respectively.

The PAC-12 early season prowess catapulted the Tigers all the way up from 54 to the 3 spot in strength of record after defeating Cal on the road.

This ranking is sure to fall after this week, as Auburn has a 98.7% chance to win their homecoming game over Samford.

 

Strength of Remaining Schedule: No. 3

 

Syndication: The Montgomery Advertiser

Last week Auburn had the second toughest remaining strength of schedule according to ESPN’s FPI and I assumed the Tigers take over the #1 spot from conference rival Ole Miss after they played Tulane in week two.

Turns out it is true what they say about people who assume, as the Tigers have fallen down a spot instead, being replaced by another SEC rival, Arkansas, at number two.

The fall in ranking may actually be a good sign for Auburn, as the FPI may view their games against the aforementioned Ole Miss and Arkansas as tougher on the schedule.

 

 

Overall Efficiency: No. 11

 

Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports

Auburn has jumped up two spots in overall efficiency this week, moving from 13 to 11 in the category.

While the offense was anything but efficient until their final drive of the game, the Auburn’s defense was phenomenal.

Led by SEC co-defensive player of the week Eugene Asante’s 12 tackle performance, the Tiger’s held Cal to 273 yards of total offense after the Golden Bears exploded for 669 total yards in week one.

The 273 yards from Cal only outpaced the Auburn offense by 43 yards despite the Golden Bears running 78 total plays compared to Auburn’s 55.

Offensive Efficiency: No. 66

 

 

Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports

Auburn’s offense was “awful” on Saturday night according to head coach Hugh Freeze.

Starting quarterback Payton Thorne was sloppy, throwing for only 94 yards in the win. He did throw for 2 touchdowns, but also threw an interception and fumbled.

Backup Robby Ashford didn’t do much of anything to build off of his three touchdown week one performance, completing 1/3 passes for 0 yards and rushing 4 times for 8 yards.

The running game was okay, as Jarquez Hunter, Damari Alston, and Jeremiah Cobb picked up 124 yards on the ground, but fumbled twice.

All in all, it was a sloppy, inefficient, and at times sad performance from an Auburn offense that looked so good in week one.

 

Defensive Efficiency: No. 6

 

Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports

For every bit of awful Auburn’s offense was in Berkeley in week two, the defense was every bit as incredible.

The Tiger’s run defense was horrendous in week one and showed up to play in week two, holding Cal running back Jaydn Ott to 78 yards on 20 carries after he exploded for 188 yards on the same amount of carries the week before.

Auburn’s defense also held Cal to 4/18 on third down, a 22% conversion rate.

ESPN FPI now ranks the Tigers as the sixth best defense in the country, and the best in the SEC.

Story originally appeared on Auburn Wire