Monday, September 3, 2018
Saturday, September 1, 2018
2018 The Washington Game
To open a football season you either start out with a marquee game or you play a game you expect to win. This year it's the former. Auburn is about a 2 point favorite in Atlanta over the team which is the favorite to win the PAC 12.
The Tigers have three new starters in the offensive line, and three new starters in the defensive secondary. Our from 7 on defense are supposed to be good and deep. The running backs are all new starters. We haven't a consistent dynamic offense since 2014. It's a mystery to me why an offensive minded head coach can't produce the offense he produced in years past. It's unfortunate since the defense has certainly improved under Coach Steele. Washington is supposed to be good but for some reason Auburn always seems to start slow. Auburn's ability to run the football seems to be the key as far as I can see. Their secondary is supposed to be good and they have a highly regarded QB. Otherwise, the defense will wear down in the fourth quarter. The game makes me very apprehensive and mostly due to a history of losing such tough games in the first game of the season and we haven't seen a Gus Malzahn offense since 2014.
FIRST QUARTER
Washington receives and goes 3 and out from their 25.
AU takes the ball on the W 36 after a good punt return.
Good drive ensues mostly passing.
From the W 11 a touchdown pass to Caminella in the corner of the end zone.
For some reason we go for 2 and fail.
Auburn 6 Washington 0
After 2 Washington first downs, Jamal Dean intercepts at the Tiger 36.
At the 14 the drive stalls and Anders Carlson makes the short field goal.
Auburn 9 Washington 0
The Huskies drive to the Auburn 14 and a field goal. At least our defense held.
Auburn 9 Washington 3
The Tigers drive to a MISSED Anders 33 yard field goal. He pushed it right and it wasn't close.
We move the ball but not points.
SECOND QUARTER
Our defense holds them again and we get a good punt return but called back on 2 penalties.
From our 27 the Tigers drive again.
From the Washington 13 the Tigers face third down from the 10.
Incomplete pass and it's fourth down.
This time the field goal is good.
Points but again red zone opportunity lost.
First down on the 13 and we have to settle for 3.
At least the running game showed some life on that drive.
Auburn 12 Washington 3
The offense looks pretty good but threes will not win this game. We gotta score touchdowns to win this game. Haven't we seen the red zone woes before? It gets old.
Another touchback. Anders Carlson is putting kickoffs deep into the end zone.
Washington moves the ball to the Auburn 40.
A holding penalty moves the ball back to midfield.
There's a long completion and W is inside our 10.
7:41 to go. A time out as Javarius Davis is injured.
First and goal at the AU 8.
Second and goal at the 8.
Third and goal at the 8.
Our defense stuffs the QB draw.
Fourth down at the 10.
The field goal is good.
So far our offense can't score the 6 and our defense hasn't given up the 6.
Auburn 12 Washington 6
Our offense has moved the ball up and down the field but bogs down in the red zone.
The Tigers move to third and 10 but a holding penalty bails us out.
Stidham scrambles to the Washington 41.
We move to third down as our offensive line is not getting any push.
Third and four.
Shaun Shivers runs to the 31.
A gain of one. Their defensive line is clogging us between the tackles.
Another third down and 9.
On the next play Stidham loses the ball which should have been a pass but it's called a fumble.
The attempted shovel pass is mistakenly called a fumble.
A loss on the play makes the field goal attempt over 50 yards.
A. Carlson makes the 53 year field goal! That's one 3 pointer we're glad to have.
This game isn't pretty but it is what it is.
Auburn 15 Washington 6
Washington moves quickly down the field passing.
First down Huskies at the Auburn 16.
54 seconds left.
TD pass into the end zone.
A one-handed catch.
In the blink of an eye Washington responds. Wow!
The difference in the game is that Auburn has to settle for field goals and Washington just made that hurt.
Auburn 15 Washington 13
From the 25 the Tigers are to the 40.
A penalty negates the attempted the drive.
We have had a lot of penalties in this game so far.
The half ends.
Washington takes the momentum but Auburn is still leading and gets the ball coming out.
HALFTIME SCORE Auburn 15 Washington 13
To win this game our offense will have to continue to move the ball and score touchdowns in the red zone. The defense played pretty well except for that last drive. We have to defend their quick passing. The penalties have to stop. It would help to run the ball much better.
THIRD QUARTER
After one first down Auburn is punting. Dead offense.
Marshall is punting for the time from around the AU 30.
Washington fair catches at their 37.
A penalty moves the ball to their 27.
Quickly a first down W at midfield.
A completion to the 25.
Washington quickly drives down the field.
First down to the AU 13.
The Huskies are picking up where they left off at the end of the first half.
A run to the 8.
They've got it going against our defense.
Third down and 6 from the Auburn 8.
Offensive pass interference on Washington from the 8.
Third and 21 from the 23.
A 15 yard penalty helps us out.
The field goal attempt is no good!
We dodge a bullet.
Can Auburn regain the momentum? Will our offense show up?
Auburn starts a drive.
First down to the Washington 43.
Second and 10 from the 43.
Third and 6 from the W 39.
Fourth down at the 37.
Wide right. No good.
The second missed field goal attempt.
The moves the ball to the W 43 but end up having to settle for a long missed FG attempt.
We had a chance after their missed FG to take back the momentum but it didn't happen.
It will be surprising if the Huskies don't score on this next possession.
Washington starts on their 37.
A shaky pass interference call on Auburn.
Marlon Davidson was blatantly held on that play.
There is 25 yard gain to the AU 26. This game is slipping away.
First down to the 7.
Third and goal at the 3.
FUMBLE!
Auburn recovers at the 20.
Nick Coe rips their QB forcing the ball out.
Our offense needs to take advantage. That was a huge turnover.
We move to third and 10 from the 20.
Our offense cannot run the football.
Offsides moves it to third and 5.
Under the pressure Stidham cannot complete the short pass.
Our offense is impotent.
Sooner or later our luck will run out.
The punt goes to the W 28.
But a penalty on Auburn.
Unnecessary roughness.
W gets a gift 15 yards.
How are we still leading in this game?
Washington starts at their 42.
9 penalties on Auburn not counting some that were refused.
10 penalties for 94 yards.
Washington crosses midfield with out penalties.
1:20 to go first down Washington at the Auburn 20.
Offsides Auburn. Will this ever end? That's over a 100 yards in freebies.
First down to the 10.
It will take a miracle to win this football game now.
The quarter will end with Auburn amazingly still leading but W having second and goal from our 9.
Auburn 15 Washington 13
FOURTH QUARTER
Our offense puts our defense in an impossible position.
We get a loss on second down.
Third and goal from the 13.
Pass incomplete.
The kick hits the upright but goes thru. W leads for the first time.
Auburn 15 Washington 16
Will our offense rise to the occasion. History says no.
The Tigers start at the 25 after a fair catch from the 8 with the new rule.
First down to the AU 40.
A targeting call against W is overruled on review. Strangely no penalty was called so it ends up being just an incomplete pass.
Second and 10 from the AU 40.
Then we get a grounding call.
Auburn is punting as we go backwards after a first down at our 40 as a Stidham throws the ball away to bring on fourth.
After the punt W start on their 32.
This slopping error field game is slipping away though we trail by only one.
It seems we should be way behind but we only trail by one and that because of an unsuccessful 2 point attempt on our touchdown, a play that I still do not understand what happened.
First offensive interference call.
First and 25 from the 17 for Washington.
We move to third and 12 for W.
Complete pass leads to 4th and one.
Ryan Davis receives the punt at the Auburn 24.
I'll be shocked if our offense can do anything.
We move to third and 9 at the 25.
Our offensive line cannot open any running lanes.
Stidham is pressured on every pass attempt. Our receivers cannot get separation evidently.
Timeout Auburn with 8:55 to go.
We are down to cases.
(111 yards in penalties)
First down pass to Cox at the 37.
A gain of two but a 15 yard penalty on Washington.
Auburn is at the W 46.
Completed pass to Slayton to the W 25.
Stidham keeps to the 20.
Kam Martin to the 13 for the first down.
Martin gains two to the 11.
Second and 8 at the W at and a Washington timeout.
To the 10 leads to third down and 7.
WHITLOW BULLS UP THE MIDDLE FROM THE 10 FOR THE SCORE!
At the one he knocks a Husky player backwards into the end zone.
Great play call.
Whitlow looked like he was shot out of a cannon.
Alas, the two point attempt fails. We have a tenuous lead. At least a FG won't win it for W.
Auburn 21 Washington 16
6:15 left. The KO goes into the end zone.
First down Washington to the AU 49.
Five yard penalty on W from there.
On third and 11 Browning runs for a first down to the Auburn 37.
Second down and 10 with 3:02 left.
Third and long after a tackle for a loss.
A sack and its 4th and 17.
OUR DEFENSE SMEARS BROWNING! HE LOSSES THE BALL. THE CALL ON THE FIELD IS A FUMBLE. THE PLAY IS REVIEWED. REGARDLESS IT'S AUBURN'S BALL. THE CALL IS OVERTURNED AND CALLED A PASS BUT AUBURN HAS THE BALL.
First down Auburn at the W 47.
A short running play. TO Washington with 1:27 left.
Washington has one timeout left.
Stidham comes close to the first down but a terrible spot leaves us two yards short as W calls their last timeout.
On third Whitlow runs for the first down. They call him "Boobie."
That's the game.
Auburn in victory formation for the final play.
It was an ugly, ugly game but Auburn rises to the occasion and beats the 6th ranked Huskies.
it was ugly and sloppy but somehow Auburn got it done.
Maybe this game will be a spark for the season.
Great win even though it was ugly. The winning touchdown and the last bringing the house sack of their QB will be long remembered.
FINAL SCORE
Auburn 21 Washington 16
The Tigers have three new starters in the offensive line, and three new starters in the defensive secondary. Our from 7 on defense are supposed to be good and deep. The running backs are all new starters. We haven't a consistent dynamic offense since 2014. It's a mystery to me why an offensive minded head coach can't produce the offense he produced in years past. It's unfortunate since the defense has certainly improved under Coach Steele. Washington is supposed to be good but for some reason Auburn always seems to start slow. Auburn's ability to run the football seems to be the key as far as I can see. Their secondary is supposed to be good and they have a highly regarded QB. Otherwise, the defense will wear down in the fourth quarter. The game makes me very apprehensive and mostly due to a history of losing such tough games in the first game of the season and we haven't seen a Gus Malzahn offense since 2014.
FIRST QUARTER
Washington receives and goes 3 and out from their 25.
AU takes the ball on the W 36 after a good punt return.
Good drive ensues mostly passing.
From the W 11 a touchdown pass to Caminella in the corner of the end zone.
For some reason we go for 2 and fail.
Auburn 6 Washington 0
After 2 Washington first downs, Jamal Dean intercepts at the Tiger 36.
At the 14 the drive stalls and Anders Carlson makes the short field goal.
Auburn 9 Washington 0
The Huskies drive to the Auburn 14 and a field goal. At least our defense held.
Auburn 9 Washington 3
The Tigers drive to a MISSED Anders 33 yard field goal. He pushed it right and it wasn't close.
We move the ball but not points.
SECOND QUARTER
Our defense holds them again and we get a good punt return but called back on 2 penalties.
From our 27 the Tigers drive again.
From the Washington 13 the Tigers face third down from the 10.
Incomplete pass and it's fourth down.
This time the field goal is good.
Points but again red zone opportunity lost.
First down on the 13 and we have to settle for 3.
At least the running game showed some life on that drive.
Auburn 12 Washington 3
The offense looks pretty good but threes will not win this game. We gotta score touchdowns to win this game. Haven't we seen the red zone woes before? It gets old.
Another touchback. Anders Carlson is putting kickoffs deep into the end zone.
Washington moves the ball to the Auburn 40.
A holding penalty moves the ball back to midfield.
There's a long completion and W is inside our 10.
7:41 to go. A time out as Javarius Davis is injured.
First and goal at the AU 8.
Second and goal at the 8.
Third and goal at the 8.
Our defense stuffs the QB draw.
Fourth down at the 10.
The field goal is good.
So far our offense can't score the 6 and our defense hasn't given up the 6.
Auburn 12 Washington 6
Our offense has moved the ball up and down the field but bogs down in the red zone.
The Tigers move to third and 10 but a holding penalty bails us out.
Stidham scrambles to the Washington 41.
We move to third down as our offensive line is not getting any push.
Third and four.
Shaun Shivers runs to the 31.
A gain of one. Their defensive line is clogging us between the tackles.
Another third down and 9.
On the next play Stidham loses the ball which should have been a pass but it's called a fumble.
The attempted shovel pass is mistakenly called a fumble.
A loss on the play makes the field goal attempt over 50 yards.
A. Carlson makes the 53 year field goal! That's one 3 pointer we're glad to have.
This game isn't pretty but it is what it is.
Auburn 15 Washington 6
Washington moves quickly down the field passing.
First down Huskies at the Auburn 16.
54 seconds left.
TD pass into the end zone.
A one-handed catch.
In the blink of an eye Washington responds. Wow!
The difference in the game is that Auburn has to settle for field goals and Washington just made that hurt.
Auburn 15 Washington 13
From the 25 the Tigers are to the 40.
A penalty negates the attempted the drive.
We have had a lot of penalties in this game so far.
The half ends.
Washington takes the momentum but Auburn is still leading and gets the ball coming out.
HALFTIME SCORE Auburn 15 Washington 13
To win this game our offense will have to continue to move the ball and score touchdowns in the red zone. The defense played pretty well except for that last drive. We have to defend their quick passing. The penalties have to stop. It would help to run the ball much better.
THIRD QUARTER
After one first down Auburn is punting. Dead offense.
Marshall is punting for the time from around the AU 30.
Washington fair catches at their 37.
A penalty moves the ball to their 27.
Quickly a first down W at midfield.
A completion to the 25.
Washington quickly drives down the field.
First down to the AU 13.
The Huskies are picking up where they left off at the end of the first half.
A run to the 8.
They've got it going against our defense.
Third down and 6 from the Auburn 8.
Offensive pass interference on Washington from the 8.
Third and 21 from the 23.
A 15 yard penalty helps us out.
The field goal attempt is no good!
We dodge a bullet.
Can Auburn regain the momentum? Will our offense show up?
Auburn starts a drive.
First down to the Washington 43.
Second and 10 from the 43.
Third and 6 from the W 39.
Fourth down at the 37.
Wide right. No good.
The second missed field goal attempt.
The moves the ball to the W 43 but end up having to settle for a long missed FG attempt.
We had a chance after their missed FG to take back the momentum but it didn't happen.
It will be surprising if the Huskies don't score on this next possession.
Washington starts on their 37.
A shaky pass interference call on Auburn.
Marlon Davidson was blatantly held on that play.
There is 25 yard gain to the AU 26. This game is slipping away.
First down to the 7.
Third and goal at the 3.
FUMBLE!
Auburn recovers at the 20.
Nick Coe rips their QB forcing the ball out.
Our offense needs to take advantage. That was a huge turnover.
We move to third and 10 from the 20.
Our offense cannot run the football.
Offsides moves it to third and 5.
Under the pressure Stidham cannot complete the short pass.
Our offense is impotent.
Sooner or later our luck will run out.
The punt goes to the W 28.
But a penalty on Auburn.
Unnecessary roughness.
W gets a gift 15 yards.
How are we still leading in this game?
Washington starts at their 42.
9 penalties on Auburn not counting some that were refused.
10 penalties for 94 yards.
Washington crosses midfield with out penalties.
1:20 to go first down Washington at the Auburn 20.
Offsides Auburn. Will this ever end? That's over a 100 yards in freebies.
First down to the 10.
It will take a miracle to win this football game now.
The quarter will end with Auburn amazingly still leading but W having second and goal from our 9.
Auburn 15 Washington 13
FOURTH QUARTER
Our offense puts our defense in an impossible position.
We get a loss on second down.
Third and goal from the 13.
Pass incomplete.
The kick hits the upright but goes thru. W leads for the first time.
Auburn 15 Washington 16
Will our offense rise to the occasion. History says no.
The Tigers start at the 25 after a fair catch from the 8 with the new rule.
First down to the AU 40.
A targeting call against W is overruled on review. Strangely no penalty was called so it ends up being just an incomplete pass.
Second and 10 from the AU 40.
Then we get a grounding call.
Auburn is punting as we go backwards after a first down at our 40 as a Stidham throws the ball away to bring on fourth.
After the punt W start on their 32.
This slopping error field game is slipping away though we trail by only one.
It seems we should be way behind but we only trail by one and that because of an unsuccessful 2 point attempt on our touchdown, a play that I still do not understand what happened.
First offensive interference call.
First and 25 from the 17 for Washington.
We move to third and 12 for W.
Complete pass leads to 4th and one.
Ryan Davis receives the punt at the Auburn 24.
I'll be shocked if our offense can do anything.
We move to third and 9 at the 25.
Our offensive line cannot open any running lanes.
Stidham is pressured on every pass attempt. Our receivers cannot get separation evidently.
Timeout Auburn with 8:55 to go.
We are down to cases.
(111 yards in penalties)
First down pass to Cox at the 37.
A gain of two but a 15 yard penalty on Washington.
Auburn is at the W 46.
Completed pass to Slayton to the W 25.
Stidham keeps to the 20.
Kam Martin to the 13 for the first down.
Martin gains two to the 11.
Second and 8 at the W at and a Washington timeout.
To the 10 leads to third down and 7.
WHITLOW BULLS UP THE MIDDLE FROM THE 10 FOR THE SCORE!
At the one he knocks a Husky player backwards into the end zone.
Great play call.
Whitlow looked like he was shot out of a cannon.
Alas, the two point attempt fails. We have a tenuous lead. At least a FG won't win it for W.
Auburn 21 Washington 16
6:15 left. The KO goes into the end zone.
First down Washington to the AU 49.
Five yard penalty on W from there.
On third and 11 Browning runs for a first down to the Auburn 37.
Second down and 10 with 3:02 left.
Third and long after a tackle for a loss.
A sack and its 4th and 17.
OUR DEFENSE SMEARS BROWNING! HE LOSSES THE BALL. THE CALL ON THE FIELD IS A FUMBLE. THE PLAY IS REVIEWED. REGARDLESS IT'S AUBURN'S BALL. THE CALL IS OVERTURNED AND CALLED A PASS BUT AUBURN HAS THE BALL.
First down Auburn at the W 47.
A short running play. TO Washington with 1:27 left.
Washington has one timeout left.
Stidham comes close to the first down but a terrible spot leaves us two yards short as W calls their last timeout.
On third Whitlow runs for the first down. They call him "Boobie."
That's the game.
Auburn in victory formation for the final play.
It was an ugly, ugly game but Auburn rises to the occasion and beats the 6th ranked Huskies.
it was ugly and sloppy but somehow Auburn got it done.
Maybe this game will be a spark for the season.
Great win even though it was ugly. The winning touchdown and the last bringing the house sack of their QB will be long remembered.
FINAL SCORE
Auburn 21 Washington 16
Tuesday, July 31, 2018
The 2018 Football Season
Practice starts at the end of the week. Expectations are somewhat high but certainly not overwhelming.
We start in Atlanta playing our third straight game there against Washington, the favorite to win the PAC. Should be a challenging game.
Auburn typically starts slow. That must stop starting September 1.
There will be at least two new starters in the offensive line. The most troublesome is center. The offensive line starts at that position. It will probably be Kim, a junior who hasn't played much. There are 3 possibilities at right tackle. At least there is better competition there.
Malzahn has a returning QB. Stidham is not the best thing since sliced bread, but he can get it done with a good supporting cast. We don't have an obvious bellcow at running back but somebody needs to emerge. We've kept repeatedly about our good receiving corps but not much has happened yet.
I am less worried about the defense. The front 7 is supposed to be a strength, the back 4 is the challenge. A good offense would be the best thing to help the defense.
It is what it is.
We start in Atlanta playing our third straight game there against Washington, the favorite to win the PAC. Should be a challenging game.
Auburn typically starts slow. That must stop starting September 1.
There will be at least two new starters in the offensive line. The most troublesome is center. The offensive line starts at that position. It will probably be Kim, a junior who hasn't played much. There are 3 possibilities at right tackle. At least there is better competition there.
Malzahn has a returning QB. Stidham is not the best thing since sliced bread, but he can get it done with a good supporting cast. We don't have an obvious bellcow at running back but somebody needs to emerge. We've kept repeatedly about our good receiving corps but not much has happened yet.
I am less worried about the defense. The front 7 is supposed to be a strength, the back 4 is the challenge. A good offense would be the best thing to help the defense.
It is what it is.
Tuesday, June 12, 2018
Regional Results
Auburn loses the Super Regional last night to Florida 3 to 2 after a brutal walk-off homer. The drive goes off our right-fielder's glove and over the fence. Still we had a great baseball season and can look forward to a competitive program in the years to come.
Monday, June 4, 2018
Casey Mize
Casey Mize is the clear No. 1 prize in the MLB draft
Auburn pitcher Casey Mize, the projected top pick in Major League Baseball's first-year player draft, is considered close to big-league-ready by many of the scouts who have watched him dominate Southeastern Conference hitters the past two years. If the Detroit Tigers select him at No. 1 when the draft begins Monday, he won't require much of an apprenticeship in Lakeland, Erie or Toledo.
Mize shows versatility and imagination with a mix of four pitches, and his dazzling strikeout-to-walk ratio is a testament to his command of all of them. But it's his self-control -- along with his ability to control a baseball -- that takes him to a different level.
Auburn coach Butch Thompson is sold on Mize's future in professional ball. Thompson has sent Kendall Graveman, Chris Stratton, Brandon Woodruff, Jonathan Holder and several other pitchers to the majors since 2014 while at Mississippi State and Auburn, so he can identify someone who looks the part.
"You have to have a little something to make it to the highest level," Thompson said. "Casey has just been so impressive. You look at how he handled last year when it really started looking like, 'Hey, this is a dude.' He cares about where his feet are planted. He's done a good job of caring about Auburn. There have been guys who've gotten so sidetracked and distracted by this kind of thing, I think it would sweep the average bear off his feet.
"It just comes back to how he was raised by his mom and dad. He gives all his teammates respect, and his catcher. He's handled interview after interview, and pro team after pro team. It's just been amazing. He's held it together so well."
Mize might be the best pitching prospect to come out of the SEC since David Price was carving up hitters at Vanderbilt 11 years ago. Mike Minor, Drew Pomeranz, Kevin Gausman, Aaron Nola, Carson Fulmer, A.J. Puk and Kyle Wright have all been selected in the top 10 in recent years -- and Vanderbilt product Walker Buehler is quickly making a name for himself as a former No. 24 overall pick -- but Mize is on the verge of becoming the first SEC pitcher to top the charts since Tampa Bay chose Price No. 1 in 2007.
It has been a swift ascent to prominence for Mize, who went undrafted out of his high school in Springville, Alabama (population: 4,080). A severe high ankle sprain during Mize's senior year put a crimp in his draft stock. But amateur talent evaluators also thought that he could benefit from elite college competition and time for his body to get stronger.
"He's a very typical case of a kid with good size who hadn't quite filled out and proven an ability to repeat or hold his velocity and his inconsistencies with his secondary stuff," said a scout based in the South. "You could see it coming, but kids generally in this part of the country go to SEC-land rather than sign for fifth- or sixth-round money."
Mize has no problem putting the ball where he wants it. In 255 1/3 innings at Auburn, he has struck out 308 batters and walked 37. He throws his fastball in the 92-96 mph range and is equally confident in his slider, cutter and his signature pitch, a split-finger change that induces lots of strikeouts.
"Casey has just been so impressive. You look at how he handled last year when it really started looking like, 'Hey, this is a dude.' He cares about where his feet are planted. He's done a good job of caring about Auburn. There have been guys who've gotten so sidetracked and distracted by this kind of thing, I think it would sweep the average bear off his feet."Auburn coach Butch Thompson on Casey Mize
Tigers general manager Al Avila has declined to comment publicly on which player the team has in mind for the top pick, but he recently observed that Mize's secondary pitches are more advanced than Justin Verlander's when he turned pro out of Old Dominion University in 2004. Some talent evaluators have compared Mize to New York Yankees starter Masahiro Tanaka because of his reliance on the split.
"He has life to everything," said an amateur scout for a National League club. "He changes speeds really well, and he can kind of choose to pitch with whatever mix of pitches that he wants to. The splitter is really good, and he can locate it, too. Oftentimes, it's a more difficult pitch to have a feel for and throw strikes with, but he can do it."
Mize missed some time with a forearm strain as a sophomore, but one MLB scouting director classified it as more a product of "ordinary usage" than a medical red flag. In his three seasons at Auburn, Mize has had the good fortune to be monitored regularly by Dr. James Andrews, the world-renowned orthopedic surgeon who doubles as the school's sports medical director.
"There's this old negative connotation associated to the splitter," Thompson said. "But if it hurt an arm, we wouldn't ever throw it a second time. Casey has figured out to master it and throw it for a strike and get a chase. He has a really good feel for it."
By all accounts, Mize is long on talent and short on maintenance and drama. His father, Jason, is a detective for the Birmingham, Alabama, police department, and his brother, Cody, also works in law enforcement. Mize is typically described as a hard worker, a popular teammate and, in the words of one person who has followed him throughout his Auburn career, "the kind of guy you'd want your daughter to marry."
In media interviews, Mize invariably focuses on team rather than personal goals. Because he began his college career with such moderate expectations, he has approached the draft without a shred of self-entitlement.
"People ask me a lot, 'Is it your dream to get to the big leagues?'" Mize told Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press. "I'm like, 'Yeah.' Is it your dream to be the No. 1 overall pick?' I'm like, 'No.' Never in a million years did I think that would be an option, and so when I was growing up, that was never a goal or anything."
Regardless of whether he's picked first, Mize will join Frank Thomas, Gregg Olson, Chris Bootcheck and Gabe Gross as the only Auburn players to be selected in the first round of the draft. An even more fitting Auburn comparable: Tim Hudson, who was chosen by Oakland in the sixth round of the 1997 draft and went on to win 222 games and make four All-Star teams over 17 seasons with the Athletics, Atlanta Braves and San Francisco Giants.
Mize did his part to advance Auburn's College World Series hopes when he pitched seven dominant innings in a 12-1 victory over Army in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Saturday. Auburn beat North Carolina State 15-7 Sunday night and moves on to a Super Regional for the second time in program history and the first time in 19 years.
"He's hungry," Thompson said. "I think he can taste it and smell it this year that something special is around the corner in his future. I've seen a lot of guys come through in 27, 28 years as a coach, and I'm impressed with him through and through. It's real."
Sunday, June 3, 2018
Auburn Wins Regional
The Tigers win the Raleigh Regional tonight blasting host NCST 15 to 7. Auburn wins all three of its games with lopsided scores to cruise to the regional title. This team is peaking at the right time. Now it's on to Gainesville.
Sunday, April 29, 2018
Auburn sinks 20-foot putt to win SEC title over Alabama
By Brandon Marcello
Auburn Undercover
29 April 2018
ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. – The rivalry between Auburn and Alabama is never short and drama.
It was no different on the golf course Sunday.
Auburn freshman Wells Padgett sank a 20-foot putt on the final hole of the final match to knock off Alabama and win the SEC Championship in walk-off fashion.
The SEC title is Auburn's first in men's golf since 2002.
“Alabama is great. We just fought to the end," Auburn coach Nick Clinard said. "My anchor, Wells Padgett, was the anchor all week in match play. We had him in that hole because we knew his confidence level in that spot and we knew that he could come through in the clutch and, boy, did he ever.”
Auburn won the match 3-2.Padgett was tied up with Alabama's Jonathan Hardee heading into the 18th hole. Hardee nearly hit a hole-in-one on the 17th hole. On the 18th, Padgett fell short of the green and had to hit a chip shot on his third shot. Padgett's third shot was the amazing 20-foot putt to send Auburn into a jubilant celebration.
“That was the biggest putt I’ve ever made in my life,” Padgett said. “It was great being able to do it for my team. To do it as an individual in a tournament is cool, but doing it for your team is the greatest feeling.”
The conference title provides Auburn an automatic berth into the NCAA Regionals. The Tigers will find out where they're headed Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. CT on the Golf Channel.
Left-handed golfer Brandon Mancheno provided Auburn's its first point of the match against Alabama's Wilson Furr. Manchenor, also a freshman, won all but three holes and clinched the victory with a par putt on the 17th.
Junior Trace Coe defeated Davis Ridley 2&1. He also won with a par putt on the 17th.
“I’m really proud of the guys, not only the five that were with us but the whole team and those cheering in the locker room back home,” Clinard said. “This win is for all 12 of them.”
Auburn will celebrate the SEC title with fans by rolling Toomer's Corner in Auburn at 6:30 p.m. CT Sunday.
Auburn Undercover
29 April 2018
ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. – The rivalry between Auburn and Alabama is never short and drama.
It was no different on the golf course Sunday.
Auburn freshman Wells Padgett sank a 20-foot putt on the final hole of the final match to knock off Alabama and win the SEC Championship in walk-off fashion.
The SEC title is Auburn's first in men's golf since 2002.
“Alabama is great. We just fought to the end," Auburn coach Nick Clinard said. "My anchor, Wells Padgett, was the anchor all week in match play. We had him in that hole because we knew his confidence level in that spot and we knew that he could come through in the clutch and, boy, did he ever.”
Auburn won the match 3-2.Padgett was tied up with Alabama's Jonathan Hardee heading into the 18th hole. Hardee nearly hit a hole-in-one on the 17th hole. On the 18th, Padgett fell short of the green and had to hit a chip shot on his third shot. Padgett's third shot was the amazing 20-foot putt to send Auburn into a jubilant celebration.
“That was the biggest putt I’ve ever made in my life,” Padgett said. “It was great being able to do it for my team. To do it as an individual in a tournament is cool, but doing it for your team is the greatest feeling.”
The conference title provides Auburn an automatic berth into the NCAA Regionals. The Tigers will find out where they're headed Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. CT on the Golf Channel.
Left-handed golfer Brandon Mancheno provided Auburn's its first point of the match against Alabama's Wilson Furr. Manchenor, also a freshman, won all but three holes and clinched the victory with a par putt on the 17th.
Junior Trace Coe defeated Davis Ridley 2&1. He also won with a par putt on the 17th.
“I’m really proud of the guys, not only the five that were with us but the whole team and those cheering in the locker room back home,” Clinard said. “This win is for all 12 of them.”
Auburn will celebrate the SEC title with fans by rolling Toomer's Corner in Auburn at 6:30 p.m. CT Sunday.
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