Ryan Davis can’t bring himself to picture his final home game.
He’s tried. Davis, who became the program’s all-time leader in receptions over the weekend, will suit up for the last time inside Jordan-Hare on Saturday in Auburn’s home finale against Liberty.
And he’s been thinking about Senior Day for the past few weeks. But he still can’t conjure up a vivid image in his head.
“I can’t picture it,” Davis said. “I try to, but you don’t really know how it’s going to be until that moment comes. Just running out of the tunnel the last time I know is going to be a surreal moment for me. The last time being in Jordan-Hare playing.”
The state of Auburn football isn't exactly where Davis and the other seniors probably thought it would be at the conclusion of their final season.
“Are we happy with where we’re at offensively? No,” said Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn. “That’s common sense.”
Malzahn has ensured next year’s seniors won’t be experiencing the same offensive woes at their Senior Day.
“There’s a whole lot of positives once we get to next year,” Malzahn said. “… this year, we weren’t as successful. Next year, we will be.”
Malzahn spent a good portion of his Tuesday press conference noting the impressive production from his youngsters and how that should be grounds for future optimism.
That's a fair point. Auburn’s freshmen have accounted for nearly 54 percent of its total offense and 17 of its 30 touchdowns this season.
The rest of the offense — which returned a second team All-SEC selection at quarterback and a slew of talented receivers — is where the disappointment has fallen this year.
Malzahn pointed to a lack of experience up front, as well. None of Auburn's seven offensive line starters this season have been consistent, leading to slim chances for Jarrett Stidham to find rhythm in the pocket.
Speaking of rhythm, Auburn's lack of push up front has the Tigers averaging 4.21 yards an attempt on the ground, which ranks second-to-last in the conference. Auburn's leading rusher, redshirt freshman JaTarvious Whitlow (668 yards), has at least two games remaining to keep the team's nine-year streak of producing a 1,000-yard rusher alive.
Auburn averages 22.4 points per game against FBS opponents. With a top draft prospect at quarterback, its third-down conversion rate is 104th in the nation and also second-to-last in the SEC.
However, the talent left on the roster for next season gets the seal of approval from the seniors that will hear their names called Saturday.
Freshman receivers Anthony Schwartz and Seth Williams are third and fourth, respectively, on the team in receiving yards and combine for nine touchdowns from scrimmage. Whitlow is aided in the backfield by Shaun Shivers, who touts two of Auburn's four runs of 20-plus yards against FBS foes this season and averages 6.2 yards per carry — the highest mark among backs.
"Those guys are making plays in big-time games in big moments," Davis said of the freshmen. "... Hopefully they improve on what we definitely did this year. I know the talent those guys have, I can’t wait to see those guys improve and see how they can go from right now to the next level. Auburn is in good hands with playmakers."
Those young skill-position stars may have a different quarterback delivering them the football next season. Stidham, a redshirt junior whom many see as a first-round talent for April's NFL Draft, hasn't made up his mind about a pro decision just yet.
"I plan to be living and breathing, hopefully, God willing," Stidham said of his plans for next season. "But I don't know yet. I'm focused on Liberty and I'm focused on the rest of this season. I haven't really given it much thought yet."
If Stidham spurns the league again and returns to The Plains, he'd presumably be the first three-year starter at Auburn since Brandon Cox (2005-07).
Most assume it will be either Malik Willis (20 career carries, 224 yards, rushing touchdown; 7-for-9 career passing, 48 yards, passing touchdown), Cord Sandberg (3 carries, 35 yards; 1-for-1, 22 yards), true freshman Joey Gatewood or 2019 commitment and 4-star quarterback prospect, Bo Nix. Throw former Clemson quarterback Kelly Bryant into the mix, as well.
To Malzahn, it won't matter who takes that first snap under center come Aug. 31, 2019 against Oregon in Arlington Stadium.
"No matter who our quarterback is, we’re going to be better on offense," Malzahn said.
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Nathan King, senior in journalism with a minor in business, is The Plainsman's sports editor.
