Most of the country would likely agree that the Tigers’ home opener against FCS Alabama State should be a cakewalk. But in two of the past three seasons, Auburn’s annual FCS opponent has given Gus Malzahn’s team all they could handle.
In 2015, at the first game in Jordan-Hare with the new jumbotron, Auburn narrowly escaped Jacksonville State, 27-20 in overtime. Last year, Jarrett Stidham’s record-breaking outing in a 24-10 win over Mercer was overshadowed by a five-turnover performance by the Tiger offense.
It’s easy to assume those games were mulligans. But if Alabama State hangs around and gives the Tigers fits, these players’ names could be in the headlines.
Ezra Gray, running back
Ezra Gray (20), via Alabama State Athletics.
Auburn wasn’t the only team in the state of Alabama to win a Week 1 nail-biter with a rushing score.
Gray was the hero of Montgomery this week after his 30-yard gallop downed Tuskegee 26-20 in overtime. Dating back to last season, the Hornets utilized a strong running game to win five of their last six in 2017, outrushing opponents in all six.
However, against Auburn, which held AP preseason first team running back Myles Gaskin to 75 yards last week and boasts the No. 14 overall defense from last season, Alabama State may need to explore other options for offensive success.
The Hornets might be able to do damage in the return game, if Auburn hasn’t improved its kickoff coverage. Last year, the Tigers ranked dead last in the FBS (No. 129) in kickoff return defense, allowing an average of 27.2 yards per return.
Gray was a menace on special teams, returning three kicks for 118 yards, including a 72-yard return. For his heroics, he was named the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Specialist of the Week.
Darron Johnson, linebacker
Darron Johnson (46), via Alabama State Athletics.
The team’s second-leading tackler from last season, Johnson anchors an Alabama State defense that ranked first in the conference in scoring and total defense in 2017.
That success didn’t exactly translate into last week as the Hornets allowed 273 rushing yards and two scores from Tuskegee at an average of 5.9 yards per carry. Still, Johnson is a sure tackler at the second level, touting 66 total wrap-ups as a true freshman last year.
Gus Malzahn put an emphasis on refining the ground game this week. If Auburn doesn’t receive big numbers from its talented freshman backs, let alone top runners Kam Martin and JaTarvious Whitlow, Auburn may have a problem on its hands in terms of run-blocking and overall offensive scheme.
Darryl Pearson Jr., quarterback
Darryl Pearson, via Alabama State Athletics.
Like Gus Malzahn, Pearson is a former Arkansas State Red Wolf. The redshirt sophomore was dismissed from the Arkansas State program in 2016 before signing with the Hornets.
Pearson took over the QB1 job from Kobie Jones in the middle of last season, recording a 4-2 record as a starter. With a full offseason at the helm of coordinator Mark Orlando’s offense, Pearson threw for 164 yards and a score off 15 of 24 passing.
As the former No. 31 dual-threat quarterback out of high school, Pearson will also tuck the ball and run Saturday. With Alabama State connecting on its fair share of long-balls last week, just like Washington did, Auburn will want to use its home opener to improve in the secondary, as well as cut down on pass-interference penalties.
Tytus Howard, offensive tackle
Tytus Howard (58), via Alabama State Athletics.
Auburn wants to get ahead in this one and put the youngsters in as fast as possible. If senior right tackle Tytus Howard can keep the likes of Marlon Davidson, Big Kat Bryant and Nick Coe at bay, Alabama State’s chances of keeping the affair close increase.
Starting in all 11 contests last season, Howard, who was named second team All-SWAC by the conference and Phil Steele Magazine, led the team in pancakes and allowed just one sack. College football fans across the country may know his name by the end of the year, as the senior appears on the preseason FCS All-America and Senior Bowl watch lists.
Donald Hill-Eley, head coach
Hornets head coach Donald Hill-Eley, via Alabama State Athletics.
Alright, this isn’t a player, but Hill-Eley has proven to be the most important member of Alabama State’s roster since the second half of last year.
After an 0-5 start, the Hornets fired third-year head coach Brian Jenkins. Alabama State proceeded to win five of its last six with Hill-Eley as interim coach before removing that label Dec. 7.
Hill-Eley is faced with the common FCS challenge of motivating a team before it faces a heavily overmatched opponent in the FBS. To combat that, the coach and his Hornets are treating Saturday like any other matchup.
"Most of these guys are from the same schools and know each other,” Hill-Eley said Wednesday in a quote gathered from Alabama State Athletics. “It's one of those situations where you tell them that they strap on their uniforms the same way we do and we have to go in and play the individuals.
“We're not going in to play the traditions, mystique or to watch the eagle soar and fly around. We are going to play a ballgame."
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.
Nathan King, senior in journalism with a minor in business, is The Plainsman's sports editor.
