With two nonconference games wrapped up, Auburn's secondary is looking toward its first SEC opponent, Texas A&M, and the explosive offense it brings to The Plains.
The Aggies come into the contest averaging 49 points and 557 yards per game. Texas A&M defeated No. 16 UCLA in a 31-24 overtime thriller in week one and easily beat Prairie View 67-0 last week. This is Texas A&M's first road game of the season.
Auburn's defense has gotten off to a hot start, holding its first two opponents to a combined 33 points. Defensive back Josh Holsey knows the challenge that awaits against the pass-happy Aggies, however.
“We kind of embrace coming into these games where they want to throw the ball and they’ve got good receivers," Holsey said. "It’s just going to be another task for us to step up to. As a secondary, we know the game kind of depends on us."
Texas A&M is led by graduate transfer quarterback Trevor Knight, who previously played for Oklahoma and famously led the Sooners over Alabama in the 2014 Sugar Bowl. In his first two games in College Station, he's gone 43-of-79 for 583 yards, 4 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. He's also added 106 yards and 3 touchdowns on the ground.
“He has a really good grasp of their offensive scheme right now," Holsey said. "It’s going to be a good challenge for our defense. We've just got to get in that film room early and often and stay in there so we kind of know what his tendencies are and what he likes to do.”
Knight has plenty of weapons at his disposal, including receivers Christian Kirk, Josh Reynolds, Ricky Seals-Jones and Speedy Noil. Auburn's pass defense has been strong so far this season, but the Aggies wide receiver corp poses a serious challenge to the Tigers secondary.
"We can’t let them come in here and toss the ball around for 300 or 400 yards in the air," Holsey said. "It’s another challenge that I think the secondary’s pretty much ready for and coach (Wesley) McGriff is going to get us prepared for. Those kinds of big, long guys, you’ve just got to practice hard and get your mind and physicality ready to go for Saturday to make sure you’re ready to take away deep balls, because they’re going to come in here and throw the ball a lot.”
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