The difference between Auburn’s offensive production in week one against Clemson and week two against Arkansas State was massive. The quarterbacks didn’t rotate, the running backs ran roughshod, and there were enough passes to go around for 10 different players to record a catch.
All in all, it was exactly what Auburn offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee was expecting.
“We definitely showed great improvement from 1 to 2, and you’re supposed to do that, from week 1 to week 2,” Lashlee said. “You gotta always be pleased when we don’t punt. We did a lot of really good things. I was pleased with the way our tempo played, getting upwards of 85 to 90 plays was a plus. I think that helped us, especially in the running game. … In general, I think guys played a little harder, were a little more physical, and we made plays.”
Sean White, in his first game as the starter — who led the offense for the majority of the game — efficiently orchestrated the offense against Arkansas State. He got into a rhythm early and settled into the traffic-directing quarterback the coaches know he can be. White showed good instincts in the pocket, stepping up and scrambling when he needed to and waiting out the progressions when he didn’t, although he got the most praise on a play was where he didn’t do much with the ball.
When White flipped the ball to Kerryon Johnson, where Johnson spun and weaved his way across the field for Auburn’s first touchdown, White fell down, got up and led the way to block for Johnson, even though he didn’t exactly lay anyone out.
“You’d much rather say ‘Whoa,’ then ‘Sic’ em,’” Lashlee said. “I thought Sean competed very well. I thought he played really hard. I think that play is an example of how he plays the game and how he played last night. To get up off the mat and try to lead the way down there anyways — he was directing traffic more than he was blocking people — but he was there to celebrate there at the end.”
The running game is the cornerstone upon which a Gus Malzahn offense lies, and it was alive and well in the win. The 462 rushing yards is the most Auburn has produced since the 2013 SEC Championship Game, and it could’ve gone for a lot more had they not let off the gas in the final quarter.
The efficiency and widespread delivery of the passing attack is what’s more surprising. Receivers were rotated in and out frequently, and as a result the most snaps anyone played out of the possible 89 was Darius Slayton, who was in for 55 of those. The problem of having too many mouths to feed isn’t a problem Auburn has, though.
“We didn’t have anybody playing 60, 70, 80 snaps,” Lashlee said. “We had a lot of guys playing 20, 25, 35, so it keeps them fresher so when they’re in there they can play harder, and a lot of that was just because we let the young guys play from the receivers to those two running backs."
"What I do know is you've got a lot of unselfish guys being great team players."
With No. 17 Texas A&M up next on the schedule, figuring out how to revert to the well-oiled Auburn offense of old is what the Tigers needed, and they'll have to hope it carries over to their first SEC game of the season as they hope to notch their first home conference win since 2014.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
