VIDEO: This Week in Sports | 7.25.14
Plainsman sports editor Eric Wallace and managing editor Justin Ferguson talk about everything Auburn sports in this last episode of the summer break.
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Plainsman sports editor Eric Wallace and managing editor Justin Ferguson talk about everything Auburn sports in this last episode of the summer break.
Plainsman sports editor Eric Wallace and managing editor Justin Ferguson bring you this weeks happenings in Auburn sports.
Highlights from this year's SEC Media Days event.
When tight end C.J. Uzomah looks back at Auburn's backfield, he sees a monster. "You can kind of account for our running backs going through the hole, but then Nick [Marshall] will take off for 200 yards like he did against Tennessee," Uzomah said Monday at Auburn's session of SEC Media Days. "That added dimension is definitely there, and with the work that he's been putting in during the offseason, it's definitely a triple-headed monster in our offense." And he says that will only be half of the problem for opposing defenses in 2014. After a 2013 SEC Championship season that featured the nation's No. 1 rushing attack, Auburn is hoping to keep the momentum going on the ground, even after the departure of Heisman finalist and school record holder Tre Mason. With the Tigers electing to run the ball on 72 percent of their possessions last season, defenses will be focused on shutting down the read-option game between Nick Marshall and his top running back, who will most likely be Corey Grant or Cameron Artis-Payne. According to Malzahn, that is when his offense will tip the scales. "We led the country in rushing last year," Malzahn said. "When you do that, defenses have to take some chances. We've got to do a better job this year of making them pay when they do take their chances." Marshall will be the central focus of Malzahn and offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee's mission to give run-heavy Auburn a more balanced attack in 2014. The senior quarterback has already proved his worth as one of the nation's top rushers under center, but now his coaches want him to improve his passing. Marshall completed only 59 percent of his passes last season for fewer than 2,000 yards and 14 touchdowns. But he showcased the Tigers' new emphasis on passing during the spring A-Day Game, where he threw for 247 yards and four touchdowns in just one half of play. Uzomah told reporters at SEC Media Days to expect that trend to continue into the fall. "It's going to be a lot more balanced than last year," Uzomah said. "It's been fun being in the mix with, in my opinion, the best group of receivers in the nation. It's a lot of fun to have the opportunity to be in the mix with those guys." Auburn returns big-play weapon Sammie Coates, who finished third nationally in yards per catch, and several more veterans at wide receiver, such as Georgia game hero Ricardo Louis and a re-energized Quan Bray. Joining the experienced corps are former No. 1 junior college recruit D'haquiile Williams and Jaylon Denson, who was one of the Tigers' most consistent performers in the 2013 preseason. No matter who lines up at wide receiver or in the backfield for Auburn this season, senior center Reese Dismukes said he expects Malzahn and his staff to make the right call for the offense. "I think Coach Malzahn is a great offensive mind and just a genius," Dismukes said. "I think that has a lot to do with a lot of our success. He, Coach Lashlee and [running backs coach Tim] Horton all work so well together." Auburn has a target on its back after winning the SEC Championship in 2013, and Uzomah knows defenses will be focusing on being the first to figure out how to shut down the Tigers. But he said he believes that the triple-headed monster and the nation's best receivers will always have the upper hand thanks to the coach roaming the sidelines. "We have so many plays under the same formation that look the exact same, so it's really hard to gameplan for something like that," Uzomah said. "You can try your best to gameplan, and we may get stumped on certain plays on a certain drive. But Coach Malzahn will adjust, and we'll adjust as a team."
Auburn wide receiver Jaylon Denson and Star safety Justin Garrett were expected have big seasons in 2013. Things did not work out that way due to injuries, but the two experienced Tigers will be able to make up for lost time. Head coach Gus Malzahn confirmed at SEC Media Days that Denson and Garrett have been granted a medical hardship waiver for the 2013 season, giving the two juniors an extra year of eligibility. Denson only made three catches in 2013 before tearing the patellar tendon in his left leg against LSU, causing him to miss the rest of the season. He was praised as one of Auburn's most consistent wide receivers the previous spring and had a career-long reception of 17 yards against Arkansas State. Garrett won the Defensive MVP Award at the 2013 A-Day Game for his work at the Star linebacker/safety hybrid in defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson's 4-2-5 scheme. He missed the first two games of 2013 with a foot sprain and later broke the foot against Ole Miss. In other notes from Media Days, Malzahn announced junior defensive end Keymiya Harrell re-injured his ACL off the field and underwent surgery. Sophomore defensive lineman Tyler Nero has taken a medical redshirt. He collapsed on the sideline during a March practice and was taken to the hospital. "He's going to get his degree," Malzahn said. "He could possibly help us with football. Great kid. We wish him nothing but the best."
This week plainsman sports editor Eric Wallace and managing editor Justin Ferguson give you their picks from the college football watch list and talk about the World Cup.
This week plainsman sports editor Eric Wallace and managing editor Justin Ferguson discuss USA's run in the World Cup and Auburn football. R.I.P Philip Lutzenkirchen
Plainsman sports editor Eric Wallace and managing editor Justin Ferguson bring you this week's happenings in Auburn sports.
Plainsman sports editor Eric Wallace and managing editor Justin Ferguson bring you this week's happenings in Auburn sports.
Plainsman sports editor Eric Wallace and managing editor Justin Ferguson bring you this week's happenings in Auburn Sports.
Video with managing editor Justin Ferguson and sports editor Eric Wallace going head to head in this debate over the World Cup.
Video with Plainsman sports editor Eric Wallace debating with former sports editor and current managing editor Justin Ferguson over which past national championships Auburn football has the right to claim.
Plainsman sports editor Eric Wallace and managing editor Justin Ferguson bring you this week's happenings in Auburn sports.
Plainsman sports editor Eric Wallace and managing editor Justin Ferguson bring you this week's happenings in Auburn sports.
The past week was a rough one in Auburn sports. Plainsman sports editor Eric Wallace and Plainsman managing editor Justin Ferguson give us the details.
Sorry about your bad timing, incoming Auburn freshmen. If you are a college football fan\0xAD--and there is a good chance you will at least be a casual one during your time on this sports-crazed campus--you just missed out on one of the greatest seasons in Auburn history. Sure, the Tigers fell short of the final crystal football in Pasadena back in January, but the 13 games leading up to the all-time classic against Florida State's Heisman winner and noted steamed seafood thief Jameis Winston were what made 2013 so memorable at Auburn. After a miserable 3-9 season and a complete overhaul of the coaching staff, Auburn did the unthinkable. Gus Malzahn's up-tempo Tigers ran through the SEC gauntlet (mostly) unscathed, topping Johnny Football's Texas A&M team in College Station and trolling the daylight out of Bret Bielema's hapless Arkansas squad. Then, for the first time ever, both of Auburn's "Amen Corner" rivals came to Jordan-Hare Stadium in the same year. The Tigers marked the momentous occasion with two of the craziest endings in the sport's history before winning an SEC Championship shootout against Missouri. And, unless you somehow had season tickets a year early, all of you freshmen missed out on it. Oh, don't think I'm rubbing it in. I feel your pain. Both of my parents went to Auburn, so I have followed the Tigers since birth. I arrived for my first classes at Auburn in the fall of 2011--one year after Cam Newton and Nick Fairley led Auburn to the national title. Missed it by that much. So I know what it was like to come to campus directly after a remarkable football season. But don't worry, you are in a better situation than my class had when it enrolled in 2011. You see, 2010 was the peak of the Gene Chizik era, which ended with an average 2011 season and that woeful 2012 season. Looking back, all the pieces fell into place for that 2010 season, but the Tigers were not close to becoming perennial national title contenders after Newton and Fairley left. This current crop of Tigers\0xAD--your Tigers--are a different story. For the first time since 2007, Auburn is returning its starter at quarterback. The dual-threat signal caller Nick Marshall is a luxury to modern Auburn football. Heisman finalist Tre Mason might be off to the bright lights of the NFL, but Auburn returns the thunder-and-lightning combo of Cameron Artis-Payne and Corey Grant at running back. One of your fellow freshmen, Racean "Roc" Thomas, is projected to be the next great star in the Auburn backfield. Malzahn made sure his Tigers ran about five or six plays last season: run left, run right, run up the middle, run the read option, throw a screen pass or throw a play-action bomb. Now, with the addition of No. 1 junior college recruit D'haquille Williams--you will loudly call him "DUUUUUUUUKE" this fall\0xAD--Auburn has another weapon for its growing intermediate passing game. This offense will perform behind one of the nation's most veteran lines, led by four-year starter Reese Dismukes. Veteran defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson has been busy reloading his unique, attacking 4-2-5 defense. Former blue-chip recruits such as Carl Lawson, Montravius Adams, Robenson Therezie and Derrick Moncrief will lead the way for one of 2013's most improved defenses. After returning most of the starters from an SEC Championship squad, the 2014 Auburn Tigers will start the season with national-championship hype. So you might have missed "A Miracle at Jordan-Hare" and "The Kick Six," but you will start your Auburn careers with something most fans have not seen in a long time: high expectations and loads of talent. Buckle up.
April 29, 10:53 p.m.The National Weather Service says severe weather chances are "low" tonight throughout central Alabama.Severe weather was originally forecast to arrive in the Auburn area at 9 p.m., but there are currently no tornado or severe thunderstorm warnings across the entire state of Alabama.According to Birmingham-based meteorologist James Spann, the air in front of the storms is not conducive for severe weather Tuesday night. RT @spann: No severe weather so far; looks like the air is a bit too stable for a major event tonight. pic.twitter.com/x14s3WLXv5 -- The Auburn Plainsman (@TheAUPlainsman) April 29, 2014 Lee County, along with most of Alabama and Georgia, is under a flash flood watch until 7 a.m. Wednesday. Residents should be aware of heavy rain throughout the night and the possibility of flooding, which impacted parts of the Mobile and Pensacola, Fla., region Tuesday night. _______________April 29, 12:33 p.m.According to its latest update, the National Weather Service in Birmingham's storm tracker has severe weather arriving in the Auburn area sometime after 9 p.m. Tuesday.The NWS issued a "Hazardous Weather Outlook" Tuesday morning that had severe weather first impacting central Alabama starting at 2 p.m. That outlook appears to be for the western part of the state as another slow-moving system may not arrive in Auburn until late Tuesday night._______________April 29, 11:39 a.m.Another strong line of severe thunderstorms could affect Auburn as early as 2 p.m. Tuesday, according to the latest bulletin from the National Weather Service.The NWS in Birmingham issued a "Hazardous Weather Outlook" late Tuesday morning for more than 30 counties across central Alabama."Another round of severe weather will be possible for all of central Alabama starting around 2 or 3 p.m. this afternoon and lasting through about midnight," the bulletin states.Once again, tornadoes, damaging winds and hail are all possible for this upcoming round of storms."We will still see a cold front slide through this afternoon," the NWS released through social media. "The sun this morning and early afternoon will not be our friend and could help destabilize the environment. If the air mass does destabilize then we could see additional severe weather including tornadoes."Flash flooding continues to be a possibility in Lee County, according to the NWS. The county remains under a flash flood watch until 7 a.m. Wednesday.We will continue to provide updates throughout the day on this page and on Twitter @TheAUPlainsman._______________April 29, 5:00 a.m.The tornado watch has been cancelled for Auburn University. There is another chance of severe weather forecast from 3 p.m. to midnight. We will continue to provide updates throughout the day on this page and on Twitter @TheAUPlainsman._______________April 29, 3:57 a.m.The National Weather Service has issued a new tornado warning for the southeastern part of Lee County. This new warning does not include Auburn or Auburn University.Areas impacted by the new warning include Smiths Station and Phenix City. A tornado has not been spotted on the ground in Lee County._______________April 29, 3:47 a.m.The National Weather Service has now canceled the tornado warning for Lee County.The county is still under a tornado watch until 5 a.m._______________April 29, 3:36 a.m.The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for Lee County until 4 a.m. WSFA News out of Montgomery is reporting a tornado sighting 12 miles south of Auburn, near Society Hill. THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAS TRACKING CONFIRMED TORNADO NEAR SOCIETY HILL...OR 12 MILES SOUTH OF AUBURN. DOPPLER RADAR SHOWED THIS TORNADO MOVING NORTH AT 50 MPH._______________April 29, 2:42 a.m.The National Weather Service has extended the tornado watch for Lee County until 5 a.m.The line of storms recently passed through Montgomery County, where there was a tornado warning.Lee County is also still under a flash flood watch.Auburn University Emergency Management has announced both the Draughon Library and Greene Hall will stay open throughout the duration of the tornado watch._______________April 29, 12:08 a.m.Auburn University Public Safety and Security has released a bulletin on the severe weather situation:"The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch for Lee County, Alabama, including Auburn University, until 3:00 a.m. CDT. Severe weather is not expected in Auburn until close to that time and the Tornado Watch may be extended...This round of storms is expected to be out of the Auburn area before 8:00 a.m. CDT Tuesday, so there are currently no anticipated impacts to classes or campus operations."_______________April 28, 11:34 p.m.A tornado watch has now been issued for Lee County until 3 a.m.Greene Hall at the College of Veterinary Medicine and Draughon Library on the main campus will be open through the duration of the watch._______________April 28, 10:48 p.m.The expected arrival for the severe weather in Lee County has been pushed back to "as early as 3:30 a.m.," according to the Lee County Emergency Management Agency's Facebook page."At this time Lee County is not under [tornado] watches or warnings," the Lee County EMA posted. "However, the storm system is moving much slower than anticipated and the current radar indicates that we could see the [effects] of the storms as early as 3:30 a.m."Lee County is still under a flash flood watch, along with most of the state._______________April 28, 7:35 p.m.According to the National Weather Service, severe weather is forecasted to arrive in Auburn and the Lee County area around midnight Tuesday.Lee County is currently under a flash flood watch and is expected to go under a tornado watch in the coming hours.The slow-moving storm system that has affected several areas throughout the Southeast and North Alabama, where several tornadoes were reported Monday. Storms moving slowly into AL. Not expecting severe in Auburn until after midnight or 1am. Make sure your NOAA weather radio is on tonight! -- AU Emergency Mgmt (@AUEmergencyMgmt) April 29, 2014 The severe weather threat has a chance of tornadoes, damaging straight-line winds and large hail throughout the early hours of Tuesday morningIn the event of a tornado watch, Greene Hall at the College of Veterinary Medicine will be open. Draughon Library on the main campus will be open 24 hours.Alabama governor Robert Bentley has issued a state of emergency for all Alabama counties as a response to the damage from severe weather throughout the state. "Some of our communities have already experienced significant damage as a result of the tornadoes that began moving through Alabama earlier today " Bentley said in a statement. "By issuing a State of Emergency, I am directing all state agencies to take necessary actions to respond to Alabama communities that need help."Stay here for updates throughout the night.
This week's happenings in Auburn sports.
There are two sides to every blowout. While Auburn's first-team passing offense stood out at the 2014 A-Day Game, the first-team secondary also made a statement with its performance as a unit. The Tigers' Blue team, made up of first-choice players, held the White team to three points in the annual spring game -- and White team's only score came on a difficult 50-yard field goal by freshman kicker Daniel Carlson. Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn said he cared more about the performance of all his starters more than the lopsided scoreboard. "I don't read anything into the score," Malzahn said. "I think it's a matter of both sides, at least our [first-team players], are playing a little bit better at this time than they were last year. It should be expected." The Blue team held backup quarterbacks Jeremy Johnson, Jonathan Wallace and Tucker Tuberville to just 48 combined passing yards. Two newcomers to the defensive back unit, which is replacing several key starters from the 2013 season, made an impression on their teammates last Saturday. Junior college transfer Derrick Moncrief came close to a diving interception of a Johnson pass late in the first quarter, and he reacted quicly to Peyton Barber's fumble on the White team's first play of the day. For Moncrief, the A-Day performance was a solid finish to his first few practices on the Plains. "I feel like (Moncrief) came along pretty well this spring," said safety/linebacker Robenson Therezie. "I think he could be a starter for us. Moncrief can play a lot of positions, not just free and boundary safety." Defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson has praised Moncrief's physical nature and learning ability at boundary safety this spring. "When you get a junior college player who's not played in your system, you always wonder how long is it going to take him to transition," Johnson said. "I think at this point he is way beyond all of the new safeties." With cornerback Jonathon Mincy swapping sides of the defense to the vacancy left by Iron Bowl hero Chris Davis, another newcomer had a chance to fight for fall playing time at A-Day. Former 5-star wide receiver Trovon Reed recorded a pair of pass breakups and was solid in run support against the Tigers' second-string offense in his first game work at cornerback. "There was no pressure on (Reed)," Mincy said. "He was very comfortable with everything. That goes back to believing in the fundamentals and the coaching. He's buying in." The senior from Louisiana, who was known for his athleticism in his first three seasons at Auburn, showed quick reactions defensively. "I think it's a very natural position for (Reed)," Johnson said. "Very aggressive, good tackler, has played press-man technique pretty well. Some of the things that you hope they'll do naturally, he's done those." After finishing near the bottom of the SEC barrel in passing yards last season, the reloaded secondary will be looking for redemption in 2014. "If you look at our first-team defense, they didn't give up many plays period, much less deep balls," Malzahn said. "That has been an emphasis trying to keep away from the big play. "I think our first-team defense has improved greatly this spring from last fall."
Ah, spring. It's time for warmer weather and even warmer takes about the upcoming college football season. After their unbelievable run to the final BCS National Championship Game last season, Gus Malzahn's Tigers will most likely start this season as SEC and national title contenders. The pieces are there--breakout quarterback Nick Marshall received a full offseason of extra practices, a majority of Auburn's offensive starters are back and an athletic defense has another campaign of experience. Sure, the Tigers will have to find replacements for Heisman finalist Tre Mason, potential Top-5 NFL Draft selection Greg Robinson and Senior Bowl MVP Dee Ford. However, Auburn returns senior running backs Cameron Artis-Payne and Corey Grant, along with a constantly impressive Peyton Barber as part of the nation's top rushing attack. Teammates say Shon Coleman, a potential for Greg Robinson at left tackle, is as twice as strong as one of the most physically dominant players in this year's draft class. Auburn's defensive staff rotated along the defensive line last season, and former blue-chip recruits Elijah Daniel and Carl Lawson could be important edge rushers in place of Ford. The Tigers have also worked on an intimidating all-defensive tackle set known as the "Rhino" package. While these new starters could be strengths in 2014, there are still some question marks surrounding them. Unlike in 2013, Malzahn's team will not take anyone teams by surprise in 2014. New rival coach Bret Bielema already has his Arkansas Razorbacks game-planning for their season-opening trip to Jordan-Hare Stadium. The Tigers will now have the targets on their backs. Auburn will also have a tough schedule in 2014. While LSU and Texas A&M come to the Plains this season, the defending SEC champions will go through the "Amen Corner" stretch of Georgia and Alabama away from home--not to mention a Thursday night clash with Big 12 contenders Kansas State in the Little Apple of Manhattan, Kan. Do I think the Tigers will make it back to the first College Football Playoff this season? Absolutely. Auburn has impressive talent everywhere on offense and a reloaded defense with something to prove from its bitter end at the Rose Bowl in January. Do I think the Tigers will pull off the perfect season? No. There are just enough question marks surrounding this team and a tougher schedule--which would include an extra game in the new playoff system, if Auburn makes it that far--to keep the team away from the tough task of perfection. However, one SEC loss and an Iron Bowl win could put Auburn back in Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game and another shot at the national title. I predict the Tigers will be in line for a repeat next season. Will it be enough to push them to Jerry World in North Texas? Only time will tell, and if recent seasons are any suggestion, there will be plenty of drama on the Plains this season. It's time to buckle up once again, Auburn.