Fall Football Practice Begins Today

 Here we go again now beginning the Harsin era.

A-Day 2021

 

Instant analysis: Auburn A-Day demonstrates new Auburn look

Updated 3:11 PM; Today 3:09 PM 

Auburn head football coach Bryan Harsin watches the action during the A-Day spring NCAA college football game, Saturday, April 17, 2021, at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Julie Bennett)AP

By Giana Han

Auburn opened the gates of Jordan-Hare Stadium then opened its playbook to show off everything it’s learned over the last four weeks of spring practice in the annual A-Day scrimmage.

Saturday, the team kicked off the Bryan Harsin-era with a kickoff return for a touchdown. Anders Carlson kicked it off while Tank Bigsby showed off his speed as he blew past his teammates for a touchdown. Auburn’s returners went on to return numerous kicks for touchdowns during the scrimmage.

As the team faced off against itself, coach Harsin had his first team offense play the backup defensive players and the first team defense go against the backup offensive players. For the sake of clarity, the first team offense and defense were referred to as “Auburn” while the backup offense and defense were referred to as the “Tigers.”

Some of the names were familiar and seeing them line up with the first team wasn’t a surprise. For example, the offensive line, running backs and quarterbacks looked much the same as last season. But others, like the wide receivers and the secondary, looked very different since they were replacing key starters.

The scrimmage featured explosive plays by each side’s first team. However, as Harsin said before the game, when you’re scrimmaging, a good play by one side is a bad play by the other. Despite that, there were still some valuable takeaways:

Defense is deeper than offense

With the first team offense going against the defensive backups and vice versa, it is not a surprise that the numbers were skewed. However, the way they skewed demonstrated one side is a lot further along than the other.

While the first team offense beat the backup defensive players, they did not dominate them, whereas the first team defense had the offensive backups locked up.

After the first quarter, the Auburn defense held the Tigers to negative yardage. There weren’t many explosive plays by the offense. While it improved in the following quarters, the numbers were still at a level that would not be competitive in a real-game situation. The Tigers offense finished with 122 yards.

On the other hand, the Tigers defense held its own. Even though it was going against the starters, the Tigers defense made big plays, like Kamal Hadden’s forced fumble in the first quarter. It held the Auburn offense to 304 yards, which, in a real game, is a strong enough showing to give an offense a fighting chance to win.

The difference between the defense and the offense is not surprising — the defense is typically ahead at this time of year.

Definitely not the offense of old

It became immediately apparent that this is a very new Auburn offense when Bo Nix went and lined up under center in the first series of the scrimmage. While he didn’t take snaps under center on every play, the fact that he’s doing it at all is a change of pace.

Before the ball was even snapped, there were more signs that this offense is different. Last season, the fact former offensive coordinator Chad Morris’s offense had a tight end out there on almost every play seemed novel. Harsin and Mike Bobo’s offense had one, two and even three tight ends out on the field at once.

Once the offense got going, the differences just kept showing. The wide receivers utilized the whole field rather than running a handful of routes. Bigsby was the first running back on the field, but Shivers rotated in often. When he did, it demonstrated how this new offense really fits Shivers’ downhill style. Bigsby, meanwhile, played a larger role in the receiving game than running backs had previously.

Tank Bigsby will be key

This is not breaking news since Auburn lost its top three wide receivers. But A-Day highlighted just how much Auburn will rely on its running back next season.

Although the first team offense went up against the backup defensive players, the receiving corps did not dominate. Running backs Shivers and Bigsby were the most productive players, and Bigsby was clearly the star out of all 11 offensive players.

Bigsby led the team in rushing yards, even though he had less rush attempts. He finished with 64 yards on seven carries, averaging 9.1 per carry. He also figured prominently in the passing game, making two catches for 22 yards.

The receivers have a while to develop before the season starts, but there’s no changing the fact they have little SEC game experience. Although Bigsby is also young, a true sophomore, in terms of starting experience, he’s a veteran. He’s been tested by some of Auburn’s toughest opponents and still found ways to make an impact.

The threat of Bigsby will do a lot to open up the passing game for the young receiving corps. With a shallow room behind him and Shivers, it will be key that Bigsby stays healthy and continues to improve.

2021 The Citrus Bowl

It seems like months ago that Auburn ended the regular season with a win over Mississippi State.  The next day the Tigers fired Gus Malzahn and hired Boise State coach Bryan Harsin.  Okay.  Today the interim HC is Kevin Steele.  It's Northwestern time.  What will happen today?  I have no idea.  Not sure how much it matters.  We have several significant players out today for various reasons: opting out, COVID, injuries.  The Wildcats are the Big Ten runner up.  They are supposed to have a great defense.  The biggest player not on the field today is our best runner Tank Bigsby.  

FIRST QUARTER

Northwestern strikes first with a 75 yard drive leading to a  35 yd. TD pass.  On that initial drive their QB had all day to throw.  Solid drive no defense.

Auburn 0 Northwestern 7

Our offense goes 3 and out not what we needed.

Punt into the end zone.

We are already behind the 8 ball.

One first down and NW is punting from their 40.

Punt into the end zone.

Again three and out.  4th and three.

Fair catch at the NW 32.

NW converts a 4th and 8 moves to the Auburn 25.

To the Auburn 16.  No pressure on their passer.

To the Auburn 7.  This is too easy for the Wildcats having their way with the passing game.

NW is passing the ball up and down to the field.

Touchdown pass from the 6.  Easing pickings for NW passing.

Auburn 0 Northwestern 14

Stopping the run but NO passing defense, no pressure on their QB.

From the 25 first down to midfield.

First down to the 39.

First down offensive pass interference call the blame on Nix.

Nix has the usual passing inefficiency.

4th and 5 going for it.

Incomplete pass.  They get pressure on Nix.  We get no pressure on their QB.  Inaccurate passing by Nix.  The game so far.  Nix runs when he should stay in the pocket a second or two longer.

The quarter ends as NW clearly wins the first quarter.

SECOND QUARTER

On 4th and three incompletion.

Auburn resumes possession on their 43.

Auburn is out of sync so far.  We are used to it this year.

Another three and out.  Nix is not proficient.  Pressure by the Wildcats.

Fair catch by NW at their 13.

Coach Harsin is watching the game.

4th and 5 at their 33.

Finally they are punting.

Coach Harsin talks away into his headphone watching the game.

AU starts on their 47.

First down to the NW 40.

First down to the 42.

First down to the 28.

Carlson hits a 50 yd. field goal.  The usual end of a Tiger drive.

6:03 to go in the half.

With 4:09 NW is punting.  Auburn starts on their 18.

First down to the AU 33.

The clock winds toward three minutes to go.

First down to the NW 45.

Nix misses a side open Seth Williams that would have been a touchdown.  Nix is not efficient.

First down the NW 32.

First down to the 18.

No gain.  Just inside a minute to go.

52 seconds left.

Timeout Auburn.

To the 13 and third down now.

Third and five.

False start.  Not good.

Third and ten.

First down to Stove.

Big third down conversion.

First and goal from the six.

Incompletion to the end zone.

Canion could have caught it.

32 seconds to go timeout Northwestern.

Incompletion third and goal from the six.

Auburn moves as Alec Jackson pickups up his fourth false start.

Incompletion as Seth Williams comes down out of bounds.

Penalties hurt in this drive.

Auburn 6 Northwestern 17

Seventeen seconds to go.

THIRD GOAL

On their second possession of the quarter Auburn gets a long touchdown pass to Elijah Canion,

Auburn 13 Northwestern 14

NW drives into Auburn territory but our defense stops them on fourth and two.

The Tigers regain possession on their 34.

The wildcat doesn't work on third and one.

The Wildcats regain passions inside their 15.

From the AU 30 on third and ten their QB runs down the wide-open left side of the field for a touchdown.

Auburn 13 Northwestern 21

1:34 to go in the third.  Their QB is not flashy but you can tell he is posed and experienced.  He is better than Nix.

The quarter ends with Auburn facing third and two short of midfield.

FOURTH QUARTER

On fourth and two inches Nix sneaks, jumps, but is marked short, no gain.  No push by the center of the offensive line.  The play is reviewed but in the pile of bodies the call on the field stands.  That's probably the ballgame though it's still early in the fourth.

NW goes right down the field gashing us on the ground.

Auburn 13 Northwestern 28

Nix is injured.  Sandberg comes in and on third and two Shivers fumbles and NW recovers at the Auburn 28.

Auburn cut the lead to one but NW has scored 14 unanswered.  The game has slipped away.

Nix is in the injury tent.

From the eight NW extends its lead.  From 14-13 the Wildcats take solid control.  7:49 unmercifully left.

Auburn 13 Northwestern 35

Nix is back in I don't know why.

Consolation TD drive Williams running it in from the two.  Two-point try no good.

Auburn 19 Northwestern 35

NW runs out the clock.

FINAL SCORE

AUBURN 19 NORTHWESTERN 35

2020 The Mississippi State Game

 We come to the end of a strange regular SEC football season.  Here we are playing in Starkville to finish up this disappointing season.  Auburn is 5 & 4 with Coach Malzahn facing increasing speculation about his future at Auburn.  A loss tonight with this 6:30 contest on the SEC network might finish him off despite the big buyout.  I think Auburn is favored but I don't think that means anything.  We face State's Mike Leach air raid offense.  Their defense is supposed to be improved over the season.  I am skeptical about winning this game.  I am off the Gus Bus.  If Auburn does fire him I hope they have somebody in mind so the hiring process doesn't stretch out for weeks.  I would even take Urban Meyer.

FIRST QUARTER

I remember games in David-Wade Stadium.  The memories are not pleasant.  It shouldn't be a tough place to play but somehow it can be for Auburn.  LSU-Florida is the other night game.

The teams exchange punts to start the game.

Our offense looks like it always does---inconsistent.

Our second drive results in the usual field goal.  

Auburn 3 State 0

This game will be a nail-bitter.  I can't understand why we can't get receivers open.   They must not be very good else the schemes are bad.  We will not win this game kicking field goals.

We keep State's drive alive with stupid penalties.  But we force a punt with no damage done.

We have to run the football.  It is obvious that we can't pass consistently.

While watching this game I am keeping up with AU/Memphis roundball online.

We start a promising drive crossing midfield then we get a holding penalty.  That's called stopping yourself.

Next thing you know it's fourth and nine just across midfield.  Our passing game just isn't there and hasn't been all year. Why???

Sooner or later the State offense will get going.

On this possessions there are two first downs.  The first quarter ends with State beginning to move.

SECOND QUARTER

The Auburn Tigers beat the Memphis Tigers 74 to 71.

State moves to the Auburn 45.  Our offense is going to lose us this game.

On third down from our 47 we get the interception by Pritchett.  We got pressure on their QB forcing him to run out of the pocket & he floats one down field with easy pickings crossing midfield.

But our offense cannot pick up a first down.  Our short passing looks covered every time.  We go for it on 4th & 4 but the pass is incomplete.  I just flabbergasted at poor our passing game is.  I am so disappointed at how poor and inconsistent our offense is.  There is no rhythm at all.

Fortunately State's offense isn't any better so far.  But we ruff their kicker allowing them to retain possession.  Another dumb penalty.

This is where State will score and take the lead most likely.  This is how it goes after a penalty allows a team to keep possession.

Again we keep State going with penalties.  This is not a fun game to watch.  You've got two boring lower rung SEC teams.  

The Bulldogs move to a 40 yard FG.

Auburn 3 State 3

This is a boring game to watch.  Neither team is any good.

We get a Stove kickoff return to midfield.

BUT no dice.  Three and out.  Our offense stinks.

We are going to lose this game.

Our punt goes into the end zone.  About four and a half minutes left in the half.

State has no running game except occasional draw plays.  It's hard to win that way except if you are playing Auburn.

Georgia beat Samford 79-74.

State is three and out with 3:24 left.

Bigsby breaks off a big rip off left tackle to the State 23.  Bigsby runs inside the 15.  The clock moves under 2 minutes.  But there's a hold penalty.  Wouldn't you know it?  1:28 left.  We are back to the 22.  Another FG attempt is obviously coming up.  We cannot complete simple short passes.  44 seconds.  Third and 18.  Again, we know what's coming.  Settling for field goals will lose us this game.  The FG attempt comes on the last play of the quarter.  The attempt is good and we into halftime tied.

Auburn 6 State 3

THIRD QUARTER

Starting the third I say we are going to lose this game with the usual inconsistent offense which has no consistent passing.  Heck, we don't even have an inconsistent passing offense.  The offense has no rhythm and yet we have an offensive head coach and an OC who is supposed to know what he is doing.

State receives and starts a drive.  Quickly they are inside our 30 mixing the run and pass.  Their offense looks juiced.  Their FG attempt is no good. No matter.  If our offense can't get going, and there's no reason to think it will, we will lose this game.

Three and out.  On third and sic we cannot compete a short pass.  NO passing game at all.

State starts on their 30 something.

Auburn interception.  Their QB likes to float passes up for grabs.  First down AU on the State 34.  First play Nix runs for almost a first down.  We move to third and two.  First down behind Bigsby to the 24.  We need a TD or else another FG will lose us this game with so much time time left.  Penalty man downfield.  Now second and 14.  Our lack of a passing game is truly embarrassing.  Nix is not an accurate passer and our receivers can't get separation.  Fourth and 14.  4:33 left.  The long FG attempt is good.

Auburn 9 State 3

Our defense will not hold up the rest of this game.  To win this game we are going to need a touchdown sooner or later preferably sooner.

Auburn regains possession on our eight.  Another three and out.  Our offense will lose us this game.  a poor punt and State starts inside the 50.

The quarter ends at 9-3.

FOURTH QUARTER

In the fourth State punts to inside the Auburn whereupon the Tigers drive 95 yards with the TD coming on a 42 yard completion to a single covered Seth Williams.

Auburn 16 State 3

BUT State gets a huge kickoff return to the Auburn 29.  Big letdown there.  First down to the 16 with 9 minutes left.  On second and one TD pass and we have a ballgame again.  

Auburn 16 State 10

Our offense is going to have to come thru again if we are to win this football game.

8:24 left the game on the line.  Auburn ball at our 25.  Bigsby a first down run on first down.  Bigsby another first down run.  7:40 left with a State player injured.  Ball on the State 45.  Long delay.  The State player has to be carted off the field.  Penalty on that player.  Auburn is on the State 30.  First down run by Bigsby to the State 6.  Bigsby inside the 5.  Auburn is riding the big running back.  There is another State player injured but he able to get off the field under his own power.   From the three Nix fakes and runs it in around left end.  Nifty footwork by our QB.  Then a quick slant pass for the 2 point conversion.  That's more like it.

Auburn 24 State 10

5:57 left.  State begins on their 20.  First down pass to the State 36.  State to midfield with 5:19 left.  There's a sack back the State 41.  Fourth and seven.  Big play here.  Incomplete pass.  Auburn ball with 3:45 left at the Auburn 46.

Timeout State with 2:54 left Auburn facing third and three.  Nix fakes but is dropped.  Timeout State with 2:45 left Auburn facing fourth and three.  State fair catches inside their 15.

WE SACK THEIR QB ON FIRST DOWN AT THE ONE!  With 35 seconds we sack their QB on the 10.  Auburn will win this game.

FINAL SCORE 

Auburn 24 State 10

2020 The Texas A and M Game

For the first time ever as far as I know we have two games left after Alabama.  The Tigers and the Aggies kick off in Jordan Hare at 11 on ESPN.  Auburn is 5 and 3 while TAMU has lost only one game and is ranked #5.  The Aggies are favored.  Big game for Auburn as will be MSU next week.  Is our coach safe or does he need to win today?  I do not know.

FIRST QUARTER

The Aggies receive and march right down the field mixing the run and short passes draining the clock of over 6 minutes as if our defense has no stopping power.  This is not starting well.

Auburn 0 TAMU 7

The Tigers go three and out as the first two short pass attempts look inept.  Malazhn elects to punt on 4th and less than one.  It looks like our offense has not come to play also.

From their 25 TAMU moves the ball easily again, but then stop themselves with a chop block penalty and punt.

The Tigers movie quickly on the ground across midfield.  Bigsby is not in the game.

First down to the TAMU 28 as the quarter ends.

Nix misses a wide open Stove for the 6.  So here comes the obligatory field goal attempt.

Auburn 3 TAMU 7

This could cost us the game.  How could Nix miss a receiver at least 8 yards from any defender.  Stove does a wheel route and no Aggie was near him.

14:11 left in the half.

Ronnie Brown focuses from the sideline on Nix's errant footwork.

TAMU is quickly running the ball gashing our defense,  The Aggies are at our 28,

Our defense has no answer for their rushing.  Poor tackling and poor technique.

TAMU is at the Auburn 6.  Just poor defense says Stan White.

TAMU at the Auburn 2.  They are simply pounding our run defense.  

Third and goal just inside the 2.  

The defense gets a stop.  We needed that.  The 29 yard FG attempt is NO GOOD.  TAMU has a dominating drive that results in no points.  Amazing.  They get down to the goal gashing us running the ball then try to throw the ball.  Their kicker pulls the FG kick wide left.

8:09 to go in the half.

Auburn at their 20.  Bigsby in the game for the first time.  

First down to the Auburn 45.  Long pass to Williams to the TAMU 27.

Nix runs to the 5 on the QB keeper.

No gain for Bigsby.

Nix makes an incredible play---- scrambles, eludes a 15 yard sack and dives to the end zone.  

Auburn 10 TAMU 7

3:36 left in the second quarter.

Can we stop them?

Two plays and the Aggies cross midfield.  The Aggies to the AU 29.  We simply cannot stop their rushing.    TAMU to the Auburn 13.  To the one.  Inside the one.  Mond qb sneak for the score but it was close.  Only 24 seconds left.  For some reason did use its timeouts as they regain possession.

Auburn 10 TAMU 14

The half ends as TAMU's ground game is the story.

THIRD QUARTER

Auburn receives and with two running plays reach the Aggie 29,

First down to the 17 with Nix keepers being the show stopper so far.

First and goal to the 3.  Nix on the keeper around right end for the score.  Nifty 75 yard drive by Auburn to start the third quarter.

Auburn 17 TAMU 14

NOW can we stop their run game???

After one first down the Aggies are punting.  The Tigers fair catch on the 22.  That was was a better effort by our defense.

The Tigers quickly move to a first down near midfield.

Bigsby runs to the 11with a shifty cut to his left.  Third and 6.  Fourth and 6.  We needed the 6 but don't get it.  FG good.  The big play in the drive was a long run by Tank Bigsby.

Auburn 20 TAMU 14

Aggie first down and then another one across midfield.  Aggie first down to the AU 34.  Aggie first down to the AU 11.  Just when I thought we might be slowing down their run game they start gashing us again.  But there's a chop block penalty on TAMU to push them back.  Back to the Auburn 38.  The quarter ends.

FOURTH QUARTER

Well, we have a competitive football game at least.

First down Aggies to the Auburn 20.  TD pass as the pass goes over a McLain tip to the receiver in the end zone.  Coulda and shoulda been intercepted.  Tough luck there.

Auburn 20 TAMU 21

Good kickoff return to the 32.  Alas, we go three and out.  The offense needed to respond but did not.  Now the pressure is really on the defense.  TAMU on their 23.  First down run for a first down.  If we cannot stop this the game is over.  First down pass to their 44.  Across midfield.  Our defense cannot stop their offense.  It's going to take a turnover to win this game.  Then there's a long completion to inside the 5.  My goodness!  Looks like their receiver got behind two of our guys.  Touchdown first play from the four.  Too, too, easy.  Now we are really in a hole.

Auburn 20 TAMU 28

8:12 left.  After a promising start, the half has turned ugly.

Auburn is quickly in a third and 12 and then it's fourth down as the offense shows no signs of life.  Our offense as always is so inconsistent.  Hard to figure.  No rhythm at all.  

The Aggies drive right down the field and our defense seems helpless as they grind it out on the ground as the clock winds down.  The result is obvious long before the game ends.  Let it be.  As Pat Dye used to say, there are no miracles on the football field.

With 1:13 left TAMU gets a game clinching FG as if they needed it.

Final Score

Auburn 20 TAMU 31

2020 The Alabama Game

 It's different in this COVID year.  The game is on the Saturday after Thanksgiving as normal we still have two game left.  This is not the traditional last game of the season.  We are watching the game together from Live Oak, Texas.

Alabama leads 21 to 3 the half.  Seth Williams couldn't bring in what would have been a touchdown catch toward the end the half.

Final score 42-13.  What we expected unfortunately.

Basketball vs. St. Joe

In Live Oak we watch the streaming of Auburn beat St. Joseph in the first basketball game of the year. It took overtime to pull out a 96-91 win. This will an exciting though highly inexperienced team to watch this year.