August 11th Practice Report

[The Duke 0]

The Auburn football team held its first scrimmage of the season Wednesday evening in Jordan-Hare Stadium, running approximately 70 plays.

“Tonight, for our first scrimmage, there were a lot of good things that happened,” said Auburn head coach Gene Chizik. “We really put together back-to-back practices that I was proud of and I think they responded well to what we feel like we need to do to make our football team better.

With a full-speed scrimmage under their belts, Chizik said it was good to see some big plays being made on both sides of the ball.

“Offensively, we had some really nice explosive plays, mostly in the passing game,” said Chizik. “Defensively, we did some things as well, but gave up too many big plays, obviously. There were a lot of plays being made on both sides and I really feel that for the first scrimmage there can be a lot of great teaching from this and we are going to come back out Saturday and do it again.”

With a senior-laden roster and a lot of experience returning on both sides of the ball, Chizik and his staff also used the scrimmage as an opportunity to evaluate some of the newcomers.

“When you have a lot of seniors, you know what they can do for the most part,” said Chizik. “We are trying to get enough reps with the older guys to get our timing right on some different things. But, for the most part, our young guys got a lot of good reps tonight, which is going to be good for us to evaluate and grade. It is going to be a learning experience.”

Auburn will return to the practice fields behind the Auburn Athletic Complex at 10 a.m., Thursday for its second two-a-day of the season. All practices are closed to the public.

Auburn opens the 2010 season on Sept. 4 against Arkansas State at 6 p.m. CT in Jordan-Hare Stadium. The game will be televised by Fox Sports Net.

[The SandMntTiger 9]

Thanks for the report Brandon. The more I read the more excited I get.

[aufan@una 3]

Has anyone heard if Etheridge played in the scrimmage tonight?

[cglover 0]

I read where he was held out

[Jackson-Sullivan 0]

Yes.  Zac was held out.

[Weegle777 78]

I really don't blame the staff for holding him out, after that scary incident last year, (props to the player again who had the quick intelligent thinking not to move) I would be hesitant also to test that neck in an early scrimmage.

[FearTheTigers 0]

I like the approach of giving the young guys a lot of reps in the scrimmages.  It gives them valuable experience while pretecting the veterans to a degree.

[AUrealestate 0]

I believe that he is fine physically.  I am also all for easing him back into contact.  My only concern by not letting him scrimmage a little is to see how he reacts mentally to being back out there full speed.

[guerra aguila 0]

Sounds like we are getting after it. The competition will help these guys get better.

[aupops2 9]

Any stats available from last night?

[mejgoau 0]

What about the running game? I have only read articals on how good our passing is.

[The Duke 0]

Any stats available from last night?

They didn't release stats. The only stats you can get is what the players or coaches say.

[17-16 21]

Can anybody in the know inform me if these practices have a heavy focus on being more physical ?

Last year the staff had to be cautious for fear of injury.