With three running backs in the backfield, head coach Gus Malzahn expects his offense to continue the momentum after a definitive win over Missouri.
Malzahn addressed Kamryn Pettway’s injury Tuesday morning, saying that the running back has a “high likelihood” for a Saturday return against Mississippi State. Pettway initially suffered an ankle injury in Auburn’s win over Mercer.
With Pettway’s return, Malzahn says it is likely that the No. 2 running back Kam Martin will also earn some snaps early on against the Bulldogs. Martin, who ran for 14 yards on his first carry against Missouri, did not have a carry after the season-opening win against Georgia Southern.
“[Martin] got it done,” Malzahn said. “He’s a guy that performs at a high level when he’s in there, and he gives us a little bit of different dimension when he’s in there. He runs bigger than he is.”
Martin had a game-high 74 rushing yards on nine carries in week three. His rushing ability paired well with quarterback Jarrett Stidham’s downfield efficiency, Malzahn said.
“For the first time all year the offense got in a rhythm and was balanced and able to run the football,” Malzahn said. “ I think the big difference was they hit some shots down the field. The quarterback was very efficient in the pass game, and probably the big thing is protecting the football... They key is continuing to be successful running the football.”
Stidham went 13-for-17 for 218 yards and a touchdown in the win. Over the last two games, Stidham has completed 45 of his 54 passing attempts for an 83.3 completion percentage.
“I think he has gotten better in all phases - his decision making, his comfort with the offense and everything that goes with it.” Malzahn said. “I think he is getting to a point where he can react and not have to think about everything that goes with it. I thought he played at a very high level last week. I was very impressed with, when things broke down, his decision making.”
Previewing Saturday’s game against No. 24 Mississippi State, Malzahn answered concerns for quarterback Nick Fitzgerald.
"Offensively, it starts with their quarterback,” Malzahn said. “We are very impressed with him. He is a true dual-threat guy. He is like a running back in the backfield, which presents a lot of problems with the plus-one run game for defenses.”
Fitzgerald has completed 57.6 percent of his passes this season for 626 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions. He is second on the team for both carries and yardage, 41 and 287 respectively, and leads the Bulldogs with rushing touchdowns with five.
“When you look at them defensively, I think they’re good up front,” Malzahn said. “I think they’re good at linebacker. I think they’re very sound on the back end.”
Malzahn also addressed previous games against the Bulldogs, referencing a three-point victory in 2010 and Auburn’s game-winning drive in 2013.
“It’s just been a good rivalry,” he said. “Dan Mullen does a super job. He always has his teams well-prepared. It just kind of turned into one of those rivalry games that’s usually a good game when we play them.”
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