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9.20.2008

Final: LSU 26, Auburn 21

That's a wrap. Auburn's offense maximized its situation. It's not a great group, but it performed well enough. The defense yielded yards by the dozens during the second half. That's lethal.
  • TONY FRANKLIN SPEAKS:

    • On his plan to play Kodi Burns: ``Kodi got a lot of reps this week in practice. Basically for me, it's a feel thing. I felt like Chris had played well and competitive all night and thought he gave us the best chance to win. There was a time in the second half where I thought about it for some of the zone-read stuff and just never did it.

    • On not throwing to Tommy Trott: ``We tried to throw to Tommy about 10 times tonight and he couldn't get off the jam at the line. He struggled getting off on it."

    • The weekly I'm a terrible coach line: "I should have found a way to get some first downs with four minutes to go in the game and take it down and score again and we wouldn't have to worry about it. We couldn't do it so it's a failure on my part."

    • On his decision to coach from the press box tonight: "I felt like I could do a better job. The reason I was on the sideline was really because of the emotional part, the problems when they occur, the egos and all that stuff. The other guys can handle all that. I thought I would do a better job play-calling. I haven't done a very good job of calling plays. It's always a lot easier up there, easier to keep your thoughts together and take notes and try to adjust."

  • JERRAUD POWERS SPEAKS:

    • On LSU's offensive success in second half: "It was our fault, we should have won that game. We did not stop the run and you are not going to win a game like this if you do not stop the run. We are going to have to go back to the drawing board and learn from our mistakes."

    • On LSU's big plays in the second half: "They had a couple big plays, the second was busted coverage. That is a bunch of great receivers -- big, strong and fast."

    • On where the team goes from here: "This was not game 12. Of course we are going to be down after losing the game, but we are just going to learn from our mistakes and get better each week."

  • SEN'DERRICK MARKS SPEAKS:

    • On the LSU offense: "We knew coming into the game they had a big offensive line and a strong running back. We did a good job at first, but when they got loose
      they were all over us. In the second half, they came out and we had our guard down."

    • On the LSU offensive line: "It is a big, physical line. Every one of those guys is a NFL prospect. They play on a whole other level than most offensive lines you go against."

    • On LSU's second-half offense: "They weren't doing too many different things from the first half. Once they started getting the run going, we could not stop them and they kept rolling. First things first, you have to stop the run and we did not do that."

  • CHRIS TODD SPEAKS:

    • On the offense: "I have to watch the film before I say anything. There are a lot of things that I can improve on. There were some key parts of the game where we needed to take the ball down the field and score. I thought everyone battled their butts off all game. We left it all out on the field."

    • On LSU's defense: "LSU has a heck of a defense. They are all fast and they are big and physical on their defensive line. They can all run. Our guys did a good job. We did some good things, it just wasn't enough."

    • On the loss: "It's obviously tough, especially a big game like this. I thought we did enough. They are a heck of a team. You have to expect that. It was a tough loss and hopefully we will learn from it and come back next week."

    • On the offense's play: "I thought we did some good things tonight, especially in this atmosphere and this type of game. We are still getting better and I think we will continue to do that. Every game we should get better."

    • On the final play: "We actually had something coming from the left side but it ended up getting flushed out. I tried to make a play and it just wasn't quite enough."

54 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Les Miles post game comments about we knew the other team didn't know how well we could pass the ball was correct.

Tub said at halftime, "we hope we can get them to pass a little bit more, it's what we want."

10:18 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thanks for the hard work tonight, JGT.

10:20 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

It wasn't just the passing that beat us in the second half, though that certainly contributed.

Charles Scott ran through us like butter in the second half.

10:23 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Charles Scott did that the whole game, not just the 2nd half.

10:24 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

LSU had the breaks go their ways.
Great game. Just gotta take the good with the bad.

If you had to point out where Auburn was lacking tonight, it was special teams and coaching.
Shoemaker looked like he could have lost his job to a walk on. wait! he did! what happened with durst tonight? And Auburn was disastrously average on kickoffs tonight. Needed a spark there, and never got one.
Les Miles can coach. I don't care if he is crazy. He caught Tubby completely off guard numerous times. Onside kick was genius, as was the HB pass. He singlehandedly kept LSU in the game.
I have to question Tubby's choice to pass on 4th and short. I understand the whole 'catch 'em by surprise' thing, but odds are we would've gotten the yard.
Bad call by franklin on the last play of the game.I thought they should have gone with something that had laterals, or screen, or HB pass, or reverse, or SOMETHING. throwing to a WR in coverage behind the 1st down line won't help much.
Props to Todd, he managed everything well.
Auburn isn't going away this season.

10:25 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You gotta give it to LSU. We had the ball with a 1 point lead oan only 5min. left on the clock and couldn't run out the clock.

Using hindsight, it probably would have been better to throw long and try to score when we had it with 5 min. and a 1 point lead rather than try to run out th clock and rely on the worn out DLine. Good game AU.

10:27 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Tub doesn't make offensive calls, so that 4th and short wasn't his call.

Durst didn't play because he has the flu.

Todd played pretty well, but his floaters really hurt & he missed Dunn on 3rd and 25 with a bad bad throw.

10:27 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Now we see, this offense keeps the defense on the field way too much.

10:57 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

WHAT WAS Ziemba looking at on the inside when the DE flew past him?

Just damn.

Our offense wore our defense out. And flipping from the UGA game from ours during breaks MY WIFE noticed Todd's arm is anoodle compare to Stafford throwing off his BACK FOOT.

Put Burns in the game and let 'er rip.

11:00 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

I think Dunn ran the wrong route on the 3rd-and-25. Something wasn't right there.

Hoopie is right on: one-point lead with 5 minutes and the ball. That's where you win or lose a game right there.

11:01 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Did Fannin sleep in?
I didn't see him AT ALL

11:06 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The Chris Todd experiment is a bust. I don't understand how this guy is in the game. Every pass is up for grabs.

The announcers mentioned that he had a good game. I'm not sure what game they were watching.

If that is all he can do, why not put Kodi in? Can he do any worse? Seriously, can he?

Two SEC games, 17 freakin' points on offense. 17 FREAKIN' POINTS!

11:08 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

He played his usual allotment of, oh, 15-20 snaps.

I'm surprised by his peripheral role, but everybody involved with the passing game feels peripheral to me. There isn't that focal point. I think they're just glad to complete A PASS to ... anyone who gets open long enough for Todd to find him.

You know what I mean?

11:09 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

Todd wasn't terrible.

I'd grade him "average". Maybe a C+.

Auburn's inability to run, particularly on that drive with 5 minutes remaining, was the crushing blow.

11:10 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey Chris. We are in FG range. Whatever you do, don't take a sack.

That series was the difference in the game. 1st and 10 from the 19 and we end up punting them to the 27. Pitiful.

11:17 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

I wrote about that drive in my gamer.

You're right, Jim. That drive was a KILLER.

I thought the 4th-and-1 rollout INT was a stinker, too.

11:18 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

During the game the analysts were positive about Todd, but the gameday crew said they thought Auburn doesn't have a QB. I have to agree with the gameday crew. Give Burns the keys and let's see what happens. Oh and call Al Borges.

11:26 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Special teams breakdowns were everywere. I don't think we stopped them inside the 35 one time on a kickoff. We got burned for the onside kick. Punter averaged 35 a kick including a 7 yarder and the awesome 25 yarder that set them up on their last drive. What is going on?

11:26 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

Shoemaker hurt his already sagging stock tonight. No doubt.

11:31 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What about Kodi's post game thoughts? Maybe he can tell us how the concession food tastes.

12:10 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Take the SIDEWAYS run play and shove....toss it out the winbow.

run the ____ ball north/south!

Does this "offense" have a smoke draw or ANYTHING besides the read option?

12:18 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I think the only way to get rid of that read option play is to get rid of Franklin... And it's too early to be talking about that.

12:22 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

WHAT?

I don't mind running it but PLEASE run something else some of the time.

Prime example, Ben Tate runs it and tries to get outside on, what else, first down and loses 7 ayrds....but that was the personal foul penalty that sets up AU at the 19.....Franklin calls the SAME DAMN play to the same damn side.

Guess what...it gets NOTHING.

Now, I watch Mizzu run plays out of the spread and they're not ALL the read option.

Same with UF....WTH is this calling it over and over and over and THEN not using it for play action?

12:39 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

My brother (LSU grad) and I were in the student section. He had to cheer on the inside. Anyway he asked me at the beginning of the game who our star on offense was. I said...uhhh....?

I thought we would have some answers at the end of this game. I'm not sure we do. LSU answered their QB question. CTT got out coached by Miles. AU played hard and the stadium was loud. At least they changed the intro video song back to "ladies and gentlemen"

12:42 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Would somebody please slap Tonny Franklin when AU reaches the redzone?

If ever there was a situation to play Kodi Burns, it happened tonight. Hello????

1:02 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

i agree... i kept saying... if they don't bring Kodi in now, they never will. What the hell is he thinking? Such a waste. Our biggest playmakers (Kodi and Mario) got no touches. CTT take notice and be heard!!!

1:06 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Tonny Franklin is off his rocker. He looks like an idiot sitting there chewing gum during interviews making up excuses for his inept play calling. Grow up and and grow a pair. Put Kodi in and throw the ball to Mario. It's not rocket science.

1:09 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you to all the NCAA coaches that have taken the time from their games and programs to leave their comments

6:35 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

It was a great football game to watch, in the past we would of had a great chance to get a first down when we had the ball with 5 min left and we would have all but run the clock out. If I'm looking to lay blame I'd start with special teams and then coaching. Punting was absolutely horrific, and then we miss two opportunities to recover a fumbled punt return. We definitely got out coached, a lot of the time it looked like we had not clue what we were going to do on offense untile 5 secs are left on the play clock. There were at least 3 times we could have caught them off guard if we ran a play faster.

Give credit to LSU, their quarterback made a great TD throw while getting drilled.

I don't think this is the end of the season, if we get past UT then we should be sitting pretty heading into the UGA game. LSU should lose 2 games, our offense moved the ball against them, no reason to think UGA, Bama, or UF will have that much difficulty.

7:21 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Jay G,

One thing I don't understand is why we run the no huddle if we're not going to be somewhat high tempo. We seem to use most of the playclock on most downs. Has CTF ever addressed this? Or am I an idiot.

7:25 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Wow...what an atomsphere to be in yesterday in AU. JHS was alive last night. Kudos to both teams fo their hard work and show they put on last night. That said, the offense is killing the defense. I know Chris Todd works just as hard as the next guy, but if you are not designed to be a spread offense running threat (I know he was recruted from TT for this reason) but frankly there is a reason he left there..and his arm is not healthy (not his fault), why is he being put in a situation to not succeed Jay G? Again, I'm not the coach here, just a fan. I don't know what kind or how bad of trouble Kodi Burns is in, but wow. Todd even so much as admitted that his shoulder is not right. Jay G--the only good "deep" ball I can remember him throwing was the INT to LSU. Most every deep ball he threw was underthrown. Offensive penalties were vastly improved, and the defense was relentless. In the situation AU is in right now, the defense will tire now matter how good.

All of that said, I am proud of the AU Tigers, proud to be an Auburn fan, and hope for contiued improvement again this week.

9:17 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

So many things to point a finger at. Shoemaker killed us repeatedly. Chris Todd was good enough. Hate that he would complete a lengthy pass and the ever so predictabl next play is always a draw to the slow starting Tate.

Just not a fan of Tate. His hands were horrible for the second straight game. His skills are not a compliment to this offense vs. a team like LSU. We would be so much better served with Fannin getting some time on that role. Fannin's a waste of an NFL running back. Tired of saying it.

We're really missing two or three playmakers in this offense. And the defense still just isn't terriblly solid vs. the pass. Powers and McFadden are strong. Thorpe got burned and we already knew that would happen this year to the true freshman.

10:33 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Jay,

Is there any concern about our pass defense. The two teams we have played that tried to pass the ball (LSU/USM) both had good success with it.

10:35 AM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

You all made a couple great points!

First off, I agree that Chris Todd was good enough last night. He wasn't the problem.

I agree that no-huddle makes less sense if you're going to use the entire play clock. Auburn's pace is not remarkable.

I'm almost 100% sure Kodi Burns is not "in trouble." I just think Franklin decided Todd gave Auburn its best chance and also saw that a two-quarterback system doesn't work.

So the pendulum swung all the way to the other end.

10:45 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Worked verse Clemson last year perhaps they should revisit that system with Todd as he cox of the chick fiil a bowl

11:04 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Jhag, we don't do things that make sense here at Auburn. We go against the grain and try to force the average into the supernatural. It just never works.

11:09 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Jay, can you please ask Franklin why we don't snap the ball and take a knee (or even run a play) when we're lined up and the defense has 14 men on the field because they're making substitutions?

11:13 AM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

Oh, man, I know the play you're talking about and I have NO IDEA why they choked. It ended up being inconsequential -- Dunn scored right after that -- but I was really surprised that AU squandered what I thought was a good opportunity to exploit LSU in a moment of weakness.

11:15 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You seriously think that Kodi could run against the LSU d-line? Chris Todd definitely seems like more of a leader than Kodi Burns. You all know what kind of coach Tuberville is. He will take consistency on offense over random explosiveness all the time.

12:08 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

If we continue to play like we did last night, I don't see any reason why we can't be 9-1 heading into the UGA game.

My main concerns are offensive playcalling & the secondary, which have been the concerns all year.

12:11 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

8-4

Get used to it.

12:45 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ok, sorry to be optimistic about my team and think we can improve on this game and play the way we did vs inferior competition to LSU.

Nobody until the UGA game will bring close to the level of talent that LSU has. The only concer is possibly Jevon Snead and going to Miss State. If we play like we did last night, we win out until the UGA game. If we drop off then that's where your precious love for us getting used to 8-4 will be appropriate.

8-4 just like 95 & 96, I guess the Bowden era has returned. I guess I'll get used to 8-4. I'm not even sure if we should even finish out the schedule.

12:51 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

...and trust me, nobody gets used to 8-4. it sucks any time we've lost 4 games.

1:02 PM  
Blogger ADP said...

Game reflections:

Our up-tempo spread actually seems slower to me.

Our play calling is as unimaginative as the assembly instructions of a banker box.

Ryan Shoemaker is the key to losing. If you want to lose, play Shoemaker.

Chris Todd managed the game pretty well. BUT, Todd can't run and Todd can't pass. Burns can run and pass. What am I missing?

Our touchdowns always seem like accidents to me.

We could have and should have won. Four and out with under four minutes ... unacceptable. The definition of stupidity is to do the same thing hoping for different results. i.e. the off takcle draw. I guess this means that Tony Franklin is stupid.

We got out coached. The players should be upset about that.

Truly though, nobody wearing pads has anything to be ashamed of. They did all they could do. We HAVE improved. Hopefully that trend will continue.

1:14 PM  
Blogger ADP said...

sorry ... four and out with under five minutes.

1:17 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Not just the 4 and out, but the fact that we only milked 1 min and some change off the clock made it even worse.

I'd rather snap at the last second and run right into the line instead of that 2nd down pass. At least doing that you can run 2 mins off the clock.

1:21 PM  
Blogger ADP said...

Oh yeah, Stupid Tony ... that one play, the one where Hawthorne runs a side route and Todd throws it five yards out of bounds ... that one isn't working. Stop calling it.

1:22 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Todd threw a great pass to Dunn for the TD, but it does seem like any pass he completes beyond 20 yards is a busted coverage (like the long pass that set up the TD) or an accident and you wonder how it happened.

1:24 PM  
Blogger Kris said...

Jay:

First of all, I owe you an apology for criticizing your choice of LSU with the coaching advantage. Tubbs got outcoached last night, without a doubt.

Secondly, I like most Auburn fans have been disappointed by our new offense. After all, it worked at Troy, why not here? As I watched the Arkansas game something came to me. They, as Auburn, are trying to completely change an offensive philosophy that has prevailed for generations. I watched them suffer many of the same struggles that have plaqued the Tigers, only they don't have the atheletes to minimize the damage. We live in a society of instant gratification. After all, the West Coast offense produced an undefeated season on it's maiden voyage. Why shouldn't this one? Oh yeah, the former had a backfield that were all drafted in the first round, a couple of great wide recievers, etc. etc. Tony Franklin, though gulity of some poor decisions, should be allowed some time to adjust to the rigors of SEC play. It does seem like every week he uses a different "i'm a bad coach line" but at least he stands up there, takes the blame alone and doesn't try to make excuses or pitch anyone else under the bus.

Tubberville has always made good decisions when it comes to hiring coordinators. I don't think that there is any way in hell he made the decision to hire Franklin lightly. He was willing to change his entire football philosophy and to put his legacy on the line for what he thought was best for the future of Auburn football. If it weren't for him and what he has done thus far I doubt we would be in a position to expect so much. Great rewards do not come without equally great risk. To borrow a line from Bill Murray in Ghostbusters, "if we're wrong, we go to jail no questions asked. But if we're right, then Lenny...you will have saved the lives of millions of registered voters". Thanks for the great work Jay.

1:28 PM  
Blogger Kris said...

I forgot to thank all the HOTTIES that were at the game....the stadium sounded almost like the AU FLA game in 93 (at least from my vantage point in Spanish Fort, AL). Even in defeat you guys made me proud to be a Tiger.

1:31 PM  
Blogger ADP said...

Without a doubt. The stadium atmoshpere was outstanding.

Howdy to my boys Ron Mexico and Scottie B. Nice to see you both. What a difference one half makes huh.

War Damn Eagle

1:50 PM  
Blogger ADP said...

The thing that really frustrates me ... that we are having discussions about IMPROVING on offense. We should have been improving during the spring and summer. What WERE we doing?

I just don't feel like we should be having that conversation. According to the LSU defense, "We pretty much had their offense figured out." That's outstanding, Private Pyle!! Could you please explain it to us? It really bothers me.

4:00 PM  
Blogger Scott M. Brannan said...

just got back to TN. can't really add anything new. very disappointing. so close. then again, at least we're not TENNESSEE. now THAT'S ugly.

good to see you too Phred. you made the HABOTN proud last nite. ;)

4:10 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

OK. I'm starting a new thread for renewed discussions.

4:11 PM  

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