Day two of Auburn football practice went a lot like it did on the first day, but today Head Coach Gus Malzahn was much more pleased with how practice went.
"Overall our approach to practice, attitude and effort was good today," Malzahn said. "The pace was better today, and we definitely challenged our players with that."
Practice was again split up into two parts, with the second part focusing more on the younger players. Tomorrow Auburn will put shoulder pads on for the first time this fall, and practice will go much faster with an emphasis on pace than it has the first two days.
"Tomorrows practice we will put everybody together for the first time," Malzahn said. "We will be in shells, which will be very good for us to evaluate our guys upfront."
Safety Demetruce McNeal did not participate in practice again today. Malzahn said Friday that McNeal was out for a medical reason, and before practice today he was walking around with a noticeable limp.
"I think he will be able to practice soon," Malzahn said. "It's nothing major we just want to make sure that he is 100 percent before we send him back out there. He's a veteran guy and has a lot of experience."
When McNeal returns he will have to compete for playing time with sophomore Josh Holsey who was moved into the safety position during McNeal's absence.
Holsey was a cornerback last year and says that right now his focus is on safety, but that he could be moving back to safety.
"Right now I'm at safety. I feel like when McNeal comes back that I will start doing both corner and safety," Holsey said. "But right now I'm focusing on safety."
Quarterback play was similar to yesterday's practice, but Malzahn said that the two new quarterbacks Jeremy Johnson and Nick Marshall looked much more comfortable than they did yesterday.
"We're throwing a lot at them just from the sideline, and they are feeling more comfortable from the sideline," Malzahn said. "They were able to relax a little bit more today and just play football, but overall it was similar to yesterday."
Auburn will practice again tomorrow, and will have pads on for the first time in fall practice.
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