A quick look at the score line from the 2014 Auburn spring game makes one thing clear: the Tigers' first team squad is just a little better than their backups.
Auburn's Blue team of starters won Saturday's A-Day game over the White team by a score of 58-3.
Nick Marshall, who was voted offensive MVP of the game, led the Tigers on six consecutive scoring drives in the first half, while going 13-of-22 for 236 yards and tossing four touchdowns along the way.
Head coach Gus Malzahn said he wanted his team to be more balanced in 2014 and his Blue team was just that on Saturday afternoon.
"Our emphasis was obviously throwing the football," Malzahn said. "That's been one of our main points offensively this spring was to get our guys throwing and catching the ball in front of a crowd."
In addition to Marshall's 236 through the air, the Tigers' rushing attack, which averaged 328 yards per game in 2013, accounted for 247 yards in the first half.
Battling to earn draft bound Tre Mason's share of carries, Blue running backs Cameron Artis-Payne and Corey Grant each rushed for 97 and 128 yards respectively, with both reaching the end zone once in the first half.
Running back Peyton Barber, who received praise from the coaching staff during spring practices, fumbled and was injured on his first carry of the afternoon. Barber was later carted off the field, but Malzahn said the injury was not serious.
Wide receiver D'haquille Williams showed few signs of being a newcomer, as the nation's No. 1 JUCO recruit reeled in five catches for 88 yards and one touchdown in his Jordan-Hare Stadium debut.
"Duke is just a playmaker," said wide receiver Sammie Coates, who had a touchdown reception of his own Saturday. "He went out there and showed everybody that he belongs in this league."
Fellow receivers Quan Bray and Tony Stevens combined for 147 yards receiving for the Blue team and both reached the end zone twice.
"We've had a lot of guys step up and bring a lot more to the table," Coates said. "We compete against each other to make each other better. We keep pushing each other day in and day out."
JUCO transfer linebacker Kenny Flowers led the entire roster in solo tackles during his spring debut and was awarded the defensive MVP for his efforts.
Freshman kicker Daniel Carlson, who bounced back from a missed extra point to make 2-of-3 field goals, received the special teams MVP.
Despite a lopsided score that incurred a running clock in the second half, Malzahn said he wasn't concerned with the performance of Auburn's second team players.
"I don't read anything into the score," Malzahn said. "I think it's a matter of both sides, at least our ones, are playing a little bit better at this time than they were last year. It should be expected."
At halftime, Auburn's 2013 SEC Championship team was presented with its championship rings at midfield. A video presentation highlighted some of the biggest moments from the 2013 run to the BCS National Championship Game prior to the ring ceremony.
"As a coach, I think about the last game a lot," Malzahn said. "It's good from time to time to look back and think about all the special things that happened during that year."
"When you look around and you see all the players with smiles on their faces. Great memories. It was a real special moment to be able to hand those rings out in front of the crowd there too."
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