After a disappointing 13-7 loss to Georgia in Athens, one in which the Auburn defense allowed just a pair of field goals, Kevin Steele's unit has put the result behind it and begun preparations for FCS foe Alabama A&M.
Even more significantly, the Auburn defense has turned its attention toward getting even better despite some injuries and other health concerns.
"We just came up short (against Georgia), so we had to move on quick," Steele said at his weekly press conference Wednesday night. "That’s the way it is in this business. They’ve come to work and had two really good days of practice."
Despite a tough loss that eliminated the Tigers from SEC and College Football Playoff contention, the Auburn defense's leaders are just as hungry now as they have been all season. Steele had nothing short of acclaim for the impact players on his side of the ball, praising their fortitude in remaining focused and weathering the storm.
"Joshua Holsey, Tray Matthews, Tre' Williams, Deshaun Davis, Carl Lawson, Montravius Adams… those guys are going out there and just leading these guys," Steele said. "We’ve asked them to grow into that and develop into that, which is a positive note. We have a challenge this week of us trying to play our best football game of the year."
Steele praised Lawson in particular, praising "how mature he is and what a student of the game he is." He went so far as to compare Lawson's studying habits to those of a former Auburn defensive star: NFL Hall of Famer Kevin Greene, whom Steele coached while serving as the Carolina Panthers' linebackers coach in the mid-1990s.
Despite having so many leaders on defense, injuries and other health issues will play a role in who takes the field for the Tigers on Saturday and beyond. Defensive end Byron Cowart is out indefinitely after having an emergency appendectomy on Wednesday morning, and other players are "banged up" as the result of a vigorous schedule.
With some concerns about the health of the defensive end position, Derrick Brown has continued to receive reps while linebacker Cameron Toney has been getting looks at the position as an "emergency option."
No matter what the status of his depth chart is, however, Kevin Steele's standard will never change.
"We’ve always said that it doesn’t matter who it is, where it is or what time it is," Steele said. "It’s about us.
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.
