Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer.
A spirit that is not afraid
Logo of The Auburn Plainsman
Donate Submit a tip Subscribe

Sports

The State Press

Softball shutout at home by Tide

| April 17

After a thirty-minute rain delay, a sold out crowd watched as the Crimson Tide defeated the Tigers on their home field, 6-0 in the first game of the rivalry series, Aril 17. Although the Tigers were able to make bat-to-ball contact throughout the game, no runs came from Auburn as Bama took the victory with six, including three homeruns.

Caitlin Atkinson celebrates with team after successful routine on the beam. Auburn Gymnastics vs Arkansas in Auburn, AL on Jan 23, 2015. Emily Enfinger | PHOTO EDITOR

Auburn gymnastics advances to NCAA Super Six

For only the second time in program history, No. 8 Auburn gymnastics advanced to the NCAA Super Six by placing third in their semifinal with a 197.075, a program record score at Nationals and the sixth-highest score in program history. The top three of the six teams competing would advance to the next round, and Auburn’s third place finish was just enough. No.1 Oklahoma placed first at 197.400, No.

The Auburn Plainsman

Russell full of hustle, competes for defensive tackle

By Patrick Lucas | Sports Writer | April 17

Last year’s Auburn team struggled to get to the quarterback. The leader in sacks among defensive linemen, DeVonte Lambert, is gone along with Gabe Wright and Angelo Blackson. Redshirt freshman defensive lineman Dontavius Russell will look to make those players’ departures the opportunity he’s waited a year for a shot at. “Last year was difficult because I felt like I had the ability to play,” Russell said.

Roc Thomas runs the ball against Ole Miss. (File photo)

Three’s a crowd: backs vie for position

By Sam Butler | Sports Writer | April 17

Gone are Cameron Artis-Payne and Corey Grant, two senior running backs with NFL aspirations. Fighting for their places are rising sophomore Roc Thomas, junior Peyton Barber and junior JUCO transfer Jovon Robinson. Although Barber has the most experience in Gus Malzahn’s offense, Robinson is viewed as the frontrunner for the spot leading up to A-Day.

Defensive back Tray Matthews signs a poster. (File photo)

OPINION: Three defenders poised to break out

By Andrew Monson | Sports Writer | April 17

While the Auburn offense will consist of mostly new faces in 2015, the defense will return many experienced players who saw playing time last year. But even with seven starters returning, defensive coordinator Will Muschamp’s new scheme should allow some younger players to show what they can do. The defense features some proven veterans, such as defensive back Jonathan Jones and linebacker Kris Frost, but will need to find others who can make an impact in Muschamp’s new system. Here are three players who could break out you need to watch during A-Day: Tray Matthews, safety There is no doubt Auburn needs to improve the secondary if it wants to have any chance of competing for the SEC Championship in 2015, and Matthews, under Muschamp, could do exactly that.

The Auburn Plainsman

Muschamp looks to bring ‘Boom’ back

By Andrew Monson | Sports Writer | April 16

After another season of dwelling near the bottom of the SEC defensively in 2014, coach Gus Malzahn knew the defense needed improvement if the Tigers were to compete for another national championship. In perhaps the biggest move in the offseason, Malzahn did just that by hiring former Florida coach Will Muschamp as the new defensive coordinator. The move brought a man who is familiar with both defense and Auburn, as he was previously Auburn’s defensive coordinator from 2006-07. His 3-4 hybrid defensive scheme was not the reason for his dismissal at Florida.

burgmans

Auburn women’s tennis earns SEC tournament victory

By Patrick Lucas | Sports Writer | April 15

Auburn’s women’s tennis team, ranked 12th for SEC tournament purposes, defeated the 13th seed Tennessee Volunteers Wednesday, April 15, in Columbia, SC. The Tigers, who beat the Vols 4-0 at home in the regular season, won 4-3 in their first match of the SEC tournament. The doubles point went to Auburn after victories on courts two and three.

The Auburn Plainsman

Tigers ready for National Championships

By Sam Butler | Sports Writer | April 14

On the day before the Auburn gymnastics team travels to Texas for the NCAA National Championships, the team had one final practice in the McWhorter Center on April 14, followed by a short conference with coach Jeff Graba, Caitlin Atkinson and Bri Guy. “There’s a lot of energy in the gym, a lot of excitement,” Atkinson said. After placing second in the NCAA Regional on April 4 in Auburn, the Tigers earned one of the 12 possible spots in the national championship, a feat the program hasn’t achieved since 2003. Despite reaching the national championship for only the third time in 22 years, the Tigers insist that the gravity of the situation won’t overwhelm them. “I think everyone expects us to just go in there and explode, to just collapse,” Guy said.

Popular
Print Edition
Auburn turns 170 Auburn turns 170
Print Archive