Gus Malzahn’s Auburn Tigers have never been known as a defensive juggernaut.
So it may come as a surprise that the Tigers’ defense got a leg up on the offense during a Saturday scrimmage in Jordan-Hare Stadium.
“The defense probably got the best of the offense today,” Malzahn said. “There were probably more big hits than in any of the scrimmages we’ve had up to this point.”
Malzahn said he felt his defense was “going in the right direction,” and said he was pleased with the way his defense closed on the ball Saturday.
“There were some impact hits, the type of hits that get everybody excited,” Malzahn said. “That was really exciting from my standpoint.”
Defensive back Tray Matthews said his teammates are buying into defensive coordinator Will Muschamp’s philosophy, which includes closing down ball carriers quickly.
“The intensity is coming along,” Matthews said. “I feel like we won and we had a couple good hits in the scrimmage. Everyone wants to make their name known.”
Malzahn and the coaching staff have been pleased with Matthews specifically during spring scrimmages. He is currently receiving every first-team rep at safety and is getting more comfortable playing both safety positions.
“I think he’s starting to get more comfortable,” Malzahn said. “He’s a very physical player and I think Coach Muschamp is pleased.”
According to defensive back Joshua Holsey, Kamryn Melton had an interception for the defense, but that the secondary missed a few other options.
“We dropped two picks that we should’ve had,” Holsey said. “We’ll get it together next practice.”
Overall, Malzahn said he did not view the offense’s struggles as a negative, saying that the competitive nature of spring practice produces days like Saturday.
“I look at it as a positive that the defense came to play,” Malzahn said. “You know in the spring there’s constant competitiveness. One day one wins, one day the other wins. That’s the beauty of it.”
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In injury news, defensive end Carl Lawson and offensive lineman Alex Kozan were held out of Saturday’s scrimmage. Malzahn said their absence was precautionary.
“They have practiced quite a bit up to this point, but we did hold them out of the scrimmage today,” Malzahn said.
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