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9.26.2009

Auburn def. Ball State, 54-30

Hey everyone. I'll make this a repository of post-game information.

Byron Isom has been suspended indefinitely ... hence his absence tonight.
Injury update: Onterio McCalebb suffered an ankle injury. His status remains unclear, though he said afterward that he's expecting to play next week at Tennessee. ``I don’t have any doubts I’ll be ready," he said.
Injury update: Kodi Burns took a helmet to the thigh (just above his left knee) and expects to play next week at Tennessee.

TOTAL YARDS
AUB: 560 (254 rush)
BSU: 260 (146 rush)

FIRST DOWNS
AUB: 21
BSU: 19
Gene Chizik on why he stuck with backups: ``We have to get guys reps and we have to get those guys playing time. We felt like with a four touchdown lead at that point. We have to make decisions on ... again it goes back to the depth of our football team. Our objective is to win the game, not to win the stats. Win the game and get out healthy so we can go into a tough month of October. We did what we had to do to get out of the game and try to keep everybody healthy."
Gus Malzahn: ``The first part of the game we tried to feel out what they were giving us. Once we figured it out our kids executed and made some big plays. It was real encouraging."
Craig Stevens on overall situation: ``Feeling good. We've got a lot of ... young guys got a lot of work out there today. I feel like that's going to help us in the long run -- to give them a little experience under their belt. We have to come out faster than we did tonight."

282 Comments:

j-z said...: Thank you.; 10:35 AM
Miller said...: I would swap Houston and BYU... but, otherwise, looks about right...; 10:35 AM
WarEagleRK said...: What a page turner this has turned out to be.; 10:37 AM
WarEagleRK said...: I'm not so down on the D as others are.

The D got put in bad positions last night where they started drives in bad spots.

The fake punt up 30-7 was being greedy and it injured one of the players we need to be out there. Bad call.; 10:39 AM
WarEagleRK said...: Again, there should be no excuses for special teams mistakes like we keep having. Boulware needs to step up and get his crew in order before we hit the road next week.; 10:42 AM
Quitstina said...: Yeah, special teams concerns me way more than the Defense at this point. You give the other team the ball at their 40 every time or fumble on our 20, that makes it that much harder for the D to keep points off the board.

But all in all, I am pleasantly surprised at how far we've come.; 10:52 AM
wtc said...: I will surprised in South carolina isn't ranked. I thought the higher ranked teams that got beat by Iowa, South carolina, Ga Tech, USF, Oregon, would move into the top 25.

Offensively AU is good, but this team still has a long way to go. That doesn't say I don't like them, they just have alot issues that can be exploited and are not a sound team yet.; 10:58 AM
WarEagleRK said...: The Bull's only official stat for yesterday's game was one QB hurry. That was all.

Well he also got flagged for an offsetting 15 yard personal foul.

87 penalty yards are a concern.

Plus when was the last time we averaged giving up 24 points per game?

However we are 4-0 and a lot of the problems that are setting up those 24 points per game are correctable...we just need to correct them before we hit the road.

We can't give up 24-30 playing against UT's D and expect to win on the road.; 10:58 AM
Quitstina said...: Yeah, even though I am pleased with how far we've come, I do realize we still have a long way to go. Which says more about how bad we were last year than anything else.; 11:00 AM
wtc said...: My concern is that 4 games in the special teams probem is still there. This is now a trend and not an isolated thing. Personally, I doubt this problem will be fixed this year. One more game like that on kick off coverage and I vote to kisk it out of bounds. At least they cannot return it for a TD.; 11:01 AM
wtc said...: Kistina-we are now 29 points away from topping last years point total. Nice stat, but that will go for nothing if they can't correct somethings.; 11:03 AM
Quitstina said...: I agree completely, WTC.; 11:06 AM
WarEagleRK said...: We play our first REAL defense this weekend...and it's on the road.; 11:07 AM
Anonymous said...: I am not having such a hard time with the D watching the game as everyone seemed to have.

There was good tackles and solid hits leading up to the safety.

I think it is second team and walk ons that caused challenges. And I am ok giving them experience.; 11:09 AM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: my non-AP whimsical poll:

1. Florida
2. Texas
3. Alabama
4. Oklahoma
5. Boise State
6. LSU
7. Virginia Tech
8. TCU
9. Cincinnati
10. Southern Cal
11. Texas Tech
12. Iowa
13. Penn State
14. Ohio State
15. Houston
16. Miami
17. Georgia
18. Ok State
19. Kansas
20. Georgia Tech
21. Oregon
22. BYU
23. California
24. South Florida
25. South Carolina; 11:15 AM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: DOn't forget 1983 Iron Bowl on ESPN Classic at 6 EDT today!; 11:16 AM
Miller said...: AU just outside the top 25 in USA Today poll. (28th to be exact).

Coaches' Poll; 11:21 AM
wtc said...: The muffed punt bothered me also. That should not be happening. However, a GOOD defense should have been able to step it up and hold Ball St to a FG.

I like Tate returning kick offs. He runs hard. He takes in the pile wide open. The others get to the pile and are very tentative. Watch the reply and notice it.; 11:23 AM
Anonymous said...: I will say that I just saw the 65 yard pass from Todd to Zachary.

That was a laser perfect pass.; 11:26 AM
wtc said...: Lookat the top of the list. Teams that lost earlier are back up there. Ohio St., USC, Va Tech, OK. All are in the top 9.

This is why you take this year and build a reputation. Obviously all of us, except FSJ, would like to see AU win them all, but if not a top teir ranking of 13 or better helps ALOT for 2010.; 11:28 AM
WarEagleRK said...: wtc,

I think the frustration of just getting off the field after a big three and out to start the game only to be put right back on there again by a mistake that isn't your fault is a tough adjustment...especially when you are taking your opponent lightly.; 11:31 AM
wtc said...: WEK-I agree, but that is part of the game as you knwo. The ball doesn't always bounce your way and you have to have you rteam ready for those things.

Unfortunately, as I stated earlier this is a problem that will last for 12 games.; 11:35 AM
WarEagleRK said...: I don't think the problem of taking your opponent lightly will last for the rest of the season...the special teams issues should have been fixed already.

The lack of depth however is something we have to work with all year long.; 11:42 AM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: JayGT - can you find out if Gulley has switched back to 24. I didn't like that 84 business from the moment you posted it yesterday. Bad vibes from the get go.

Which of course had nothing to do with his inability to catch the ball.; 11:44 AM
Anonymous said...: We have surrendered 97 points in four games. We surrender an average of 154 yards on the ground per game.

Our special teams are not so special outside of Wes Byrum.

These are issues even the offense can't always overcome.

Have a good Sunday.; 11:47 AM
Aeronaut said...: THT

What 24 / 84 business? Are you concerned that you'd have problems in future countdowns to pick between Caddy and Gulley?; 11:47 AM
Unknown said...: Woohooo!!! We made the Jay G top 25, and that is all that really matters!!!

By the way, I am watching UT's game against Ohio. I still think we take UT. Arkansas is not quite as much of a concern after seeing how Bama just shut their offense down. That game is a testament to how truly bad the UGA defense is.

Ohio was able to play man defense against Tennessee and hung with them pretty good. Tennessee gets Bryce Brown and David Oku involved, but they aren't that impressive.

Crompton still amazes me. He is bad kind of the way Kodi is bad. You watch him for a little while and think, oh, this guy isn't too bad. Then he makes a boneheard throw or runs the wrong way or makes some other mistake that will get you killed.; 11:54 AM
JgobravesHAG said...: Chris Todd is your SEC passing leader with 1,012 yards; 11:54 AM
Kathy said...: After last year's debacle, I'm not complaining about anything this year. We have improved a lot more than I thought we would. I am enjoying Auburn football again. I love this coaching staff. We have some true Auburn man playing football on this team. Sometimes you play down to your competition. Even the Almighty Tide does it! (Putting my soapbox away now)

War Eagle!; 11:55 AM
Unknown said...: RK, I actually like our defense, although depth is a big issue. If we had depth at linebacker, I think we would be good to go.

Our special teams are absolutely not that special at all and give us the best chance to lose a game we should win.; 11:58 AM
Unknown said...: Thanks jhag. Todzilla has done everything except stomp on short Japanese people and kick houses over. I am pleasantly shocked.; 12:00 PM
wtc said...: Great looking day in Montgomery. After lunch it is time to clean up the yard. I hope to spend all day out there since the past two weeks have been rain filled.; 12:07 PM
Unknown said...: I feel very good about us. If we could get the special teams straightened out, I would feel much more comfortable, but I don't see a team on the schedule we can't beat.; 12:15 PM
LGGByron said...: Hey guys, letting you know AU women's soccer vs Ole Miss 3 PM EST on ESPNU and then at 6PM EST Its the 1983 Iron Bowl on ESPN Classic :P; 12:25 PM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: SteveFC - are you saying MrsTHT should stay away from Todzilla?; 12:26 PM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: Actually, in a [insert monster name]zilla vs MrsTHT, I know where the smart money would be. MrsTHT is not to be messed with.; 12:28 PM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: Chris Todd has performed exactly as I expected him to with an intact arm. My concern always was/is, will the arm stay attached?; 12:32 PM
Unknown said...: THT, I think you have the correct idea. Todzilla has been very impressive. He isn't an impressive runner, but I consider how few mistakes he has made pretty incredible. We have thrown that ball deep consistently and to have very few interceptions and a decent completion percentage is just outstanding. If Todd had 4 or 5 more INTs, I would still say he had looked good.

I really didn't expect nearly this much from him. I expected him to play smart football and give us a chance to win, but figured we would rely on the running game like we did in the first two games. Todd has done enough in the last two games where Tennessee will have to respect our passing game.; 12:32 PM
WarEagleRK said...: The big test is can we keep Todd's jersey clean this week in Knoxville...because they will come at him from many different directions and he will get hit and get pressured which he is not used to this year.

We'll see how he reacts.; 12:54 PM
Kathy said...: I think you're right WERK. I think they will bring the heat and try to pressure Todd all night.; 1:01 PM
WarEagleRK said...: By the way, I see why Benton isn't on the field a lot. He dropped a third down pass right in his hands and stopped blocking on a run where if he had held his block one more second Ben Tate is gone to the endzone for about a 50 yard run.; 1:06 PM
Peter Frankenschmidt said...: didn't plan on dropping in today, but here I am...and not even using bad language.

I've been very critical of the D thus far. On paper, the D looked really bad yesterday. In reality, me and Steve's Football Club are back on the same page (:gasp: AGAIN? crap!). I don't think they were bad. Judging the ones on giving up 30 points is a bit of a misnomer.

Also, the official Frankenbummer book odds of Todd's arm falling off are currently unavailable due to a need for revaluation. I think I gave 7:2 of it happening by the end of the TN game. I'm thinking there needs to be a higher payout if I'm betting on that. Maybe 35:1,and I'm not sure if I'd touch it. Anything after the Arkansas is likely to be 10:1. I'll get back to you.

He's impressed me. I hated him (probably Tony Franklin hangover). I don't anymore.

Oh, and I've moved from admiration to being a full-blown fan of UGA's A.J. Green. In addition to being the best offensive player on the field last night, he blocked a FG that would've thrown the game into a tailspin. I wonder if Auburn could convince him to take a sit-out redshirt year next year and come in for the 2011 and 2012 seasons. Someone come up with REC-type money and make that happen* .

*I don't really condone paying players. Leave that to other people who suck at life---I'm talking about you, USC.; 1:06 PM
WarEagleRK said...: Lions up 10-0 on the Redskins, is this the game where the streak stops...it's not like the Skins are known for their high powered offense.; 1:07 PM
Eddie McCoy said...: Hey guys, not sure what has been discussed, but here are some quick thoughts on my part:

1- I do not want to see Gulley return another punt. He has muffed like 3 of them I believe in probably less than 10 returns.

2- Boulware's ability to coach special teams seems to be a complete joke. We have yet to improve and may have gotten worse.

3- WTF was with the fake punt? My brohter put it best when he declared that arrogant.

4- Todd looked the best he has looked so far. I was really really impressed and that bolds well for us.

5. What's up with Isom? Any guesses? I haven't heard anything on that, but then again, I haven't really checked into that.

6- I hope Kodi is back next week. He is missed on short yardage situations big time.

Sloopy win, but we are miles ahead of where I thought we would be at this point.; 1:08 PM
Unknown said...: Yea, I think so. As long as Todd continues to make good decisions, we should be okay. It bothers me that Kodi is injured and I don't think we have another option at QB. If Todd goes down, stick a fork in us.

I am reviewing the Tennessee/Ohio game and I find your comments on pressuring Todd ironic because I was about to say the same of Crompton. At times he looks okay, but he makes some very bad decisions at times, especially when pressured. Every QB should realize the value of passing the ball to granny siting in the stands.; 1:08 PM
WarEagleRK said...: The fake punt was being greedy as I said before...plus it wasn't like we were executing very well on special teams anyway, did we suddenly think we could run a trick play when we struggle with the basics on special teams?; 1:10 PM
Eddie McCoy said...: Agreed RK. Special Teams is the most disappointing thing of the season. I just don't understand why we cannot improve in that area.; 1:16 PM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: Right before the fake punt play MrsTHT said "I want to see some razzle dazzle", not realizing it was fourth down, as she was busy multitasking, as usual. Before they snapped the ball, I said, "Maybe some razzle punting."

That play was so very ugly.; 1:16 PM
Eddie McCoy said...: Agreed RK. Special Teams is the most disappointing thing of the season. I just don't understand why we cannot improve in that area.; 1:16 PM
Unknown said...: RK, I can see us having issues defensively against Tennessee mainly because I can see them just wearing our linebackers out. My biggest concern on defense has been where is ElToro. Adam Herring looked pretty good in his starts, but ElToro has looked like the invisible man.

My biggest concern with Ball State was the performance of our offensive line early. I know that Ball State had a couple of linemen that were suppose to be the strength of their defense, but early on, they seemed to be overpowering our offensive line. I expected Tate to be able to eat up 3 or 4 yards up the middle. Early it seemed like they were in the backfield when he got the ball.

Isom likely has a lot to do with this because it is the first time I have been concerned about the offensive line play. I haven't reviewed the Auburn game yet, but that is what my gut is telling me.; 1:17 PM
WarEagleRK said...: Like I said, we can't block properly on kickoffs and punts, how did we expect to execute a fake put...and to make it worse, if I'm not mistaken we changed the punt formation just for the fake.; 1:18 PM
Unknown said...: Special teams has looked horrible, other than Byrum and to some degree Durst. I am still not ready to blame Boulware, but something needs to be done. It is going to cost us some games. You don't continually give the other team a short field and expect a defense that lacks depth to cover for you constantly. I was pleased that our defense picked up some more turnovers, by the way.; 1:20 PM
Peter Frankenschmidt said...: Auburn 27 in AP; 1:22 PM
Eddie McCoy said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 1:23 PM
Eddie McCoy said...: Steve- I'm not so concerned on the offensive line play. From what I could tell Ball State sold out on stoping the run and pretty much playing man. They seemed to slanting and trying to guess the way we were going to run and dared us yet again to win it thru the air. That is the reason we had so many big plays. I can live with the rushing attack being slowed down if a team is willing to gamble like Ball State did. Maybe i'm the only one that feels that way.; 1:24 PM
Unknown said...: It looks like we are about where I thought we would be poll wise. Beat Tennessee and we are in the top 25. We should quickly climb into the top 20 assuming we beat Arkansas.; 1:24 PM
Jay G. Tate said...: I'm surprised Auburn isn't in the top 25.; 1:25 PM
Unknown said...: Eddie, I do think Ball State tried to basically do what West Virginia did.

Another thing is notice that we have done much better when we have received the opening kickoff and let our offense establish momentum. I usually like to get the kickoff at the start of the second half, but opening the game with the ball worked well for us in the first two games. I guess it is the diffence an effective offense makes.; 1:27 PM
Eddie McCoy said...: Polls are flawed big time because they take into consideration last year so much. That is why Auburn isn't in the Top 25. I could not care less about this issue. Just give me a win in Knoxville.

If I double post again, then I'm about to get really pissed at blogger. I keep getting fatal errors every time I try to post or delete.; 1:28 PM
Peter Frankenschmidt said...: Well, if you had ranked them 15 places higher, they would have been.; 1:28 PM
Eddie McCoy said...: Ok, rankings problem I do have. Who in the heck really has LSU #4???? They are terrible. They have showed nothing to deserve that ranking. That just proves how big of a joke the polls are.; 1:34 PM
WarEagleRK said...: Eddie,

But they are LSU.; 1:39 PM
WarEagleRK said...: "I am still not ready to blame Boulware"

Then who does it fall on when the majority of the mistakes we are making in a game are on special teams?

Boulware needs to get his area under control.

Also, it really hasn't been mentioned, but Neil Caudle runs in the open field with more balance and control that Kodi.; 1:41 PM
Unknown said...: LSU hasn't impressed me at all. They have issues in their passing game and their running game hasn't looked nearly as good as I expected. They are beatable at this point.; 1:42 PM
Eddie McCoy said...: Exactly RK and that is the problem I have. I don't know how you solve this, but the way the rankings are doesn't work.

Do you know who would probably be the best at ranking teams in college....NFL Scouts.; 1:42 PM
WarEagleRK said...: Also, what about # 51 Downs with his dumb late hit in the 4th quarter about 15 seconds after the play was whistled dead on the sidelines?; 1:43 PM
Eddie McCoy said...: If wasn't for for MSU turnovers, special teams miscues and dumb play calling at 1st and goal at the 1, that game yesterday for LSU would have been lopsided in MSU's favor.

Boulware stinks to high heaven at this point. To borry an old game show line, "You are the weakest link". Special Teams issues has a lot to do with coaching IMO.; 1:45 PM
WarEagleRK said...: CFN has us # 5

http://cfn.scout.com/2/903411.html; 1:46 PM
Unknown said...: RK, Boulware hasn't taken a snap yet, so I am not willing to just blame him. There are obvious issues, but there are various reasons that this could be happening. Boulware wasn't the special teams coach last season, and we weren't exactly smelling like roses then either.

As for Caudle's run, I agree. I had heard that he was a good runner, but I was skeptical. I know he has had surgery on both of his kness. That run just amazed me, and you are right. He looked very smooth running the ball. I don't think Kodi would have made that run. He is a good runner, but not nearly as decisive as Caudle appeared.; 1:46 PM
wes said...: i'm not convinced that wasn't a Ball State player disguised as an AU defender. has anyone actually met this "Downs" person?; 1:46 PM
Eddie McCoy said...: Steve- That is about one of the craziest statement I've ever seen you make. Last time I check the offense smell worse than crap and how are they this year????? What is the difference between last year and this year on that front?????

Come on man, I like you but that was a dumb comment. Coaching is the difference and Coach Boulware needs to start earning his salary and his title of "coach".; 1:47 PM
WarEagleRK said...: Steve,

The special teams are making huge mistakes and fixing those mistakes falls on the coach. It's not that those mistakes just started happening, they have been that way all year with no improvement.

Gregg Knox never took a snap either, but our WR's were terrible under him, but suddenly under good coaching they are getting open and catching balls...well except for Benton.; 1:50 PM
WarEagleRK said...: No idea who that Downs guy was, but his head wasn't in the game...and judging by Chizik's response his head won't be the only body part missing from the game after that.; 1:51 PM
WarEagleRK said...: Hey, Gulley is country...can't catch or hold onto a punt, but he's country.; 1:51 PM
Unknown said...: Eddie, with the way the special teams has played, don't you think at least one other coach has been working with the special teams? I don't know, but from the statements, I am assuming Chizik has been sticking his nose in their too, so no, I don't just blame Boulware. There are issues. We had bad special teams last season. We have less depth this season, so it limits who plays on special teams. There is just more too it than blaming a single person. Rarely is anything one person's fault, although it seems to be human tendency to want to blame and find one specific cause.; 1:52 PM
Unknown said...: RK, I had no doubt there was issues with Knox and the coaching of receivers. While many felt we lacked playmakers on offense last season, it wasn't true. We had severe coaching and team unity problems. That is much different that what is going on with the kicking game here.; 1:54 PM
Unknown said...: As for Downs, he is another one of the surprises I have seen. One of the things I have noticed watching Auburn this season is occasionally I see a player I don't recognize. Humphries is an example. Apparently he has been a regular on special teams and is a walkon linebacker, but I didn't even know he existed until he recovered a one of our fumbles, by Fannin I believe. This team is playing a lot of young inexperienced players and when you do that, you have growing pains.; 1:57 PM
WarEagleRK said...: We went a decade without having a coach who was just dedicated to special teams, Eddie Gran had RB's and ST's. For the most part he did a nice job with both.

Boulware has TE's and ST's, why would he need another coach to come over and help. If he is proficient at his own job, he should be able to fix the issue.

We'll find out if the ST issues continue over this year if he can make the fixes needed to not cost us games down the line.; 1:58 PM
WarEagleRK said...: Campbell with a 57 yard TD pass to get the Skins back in it.; 2:00 PM
Unknown said...: From Chizik's comments, I am sure he knows the issues with special teams and is involved. Any good head coach would be.; 2:06 PM
Unknown said...: There should be a question that Jay could ask Chizik in his press conference about special teams. It might be what does he see as the issues and what is being done to correct those issues.

By the way, the issues are more than just drops, although there is no excuse for a punt returner who has the ball kicked to him and calls for a fair catch to not catch the ball. That is purely a mental thing with the punt returner.

Someone last night someone mentioned that we need to just pick a punt returner and stick with him. I tend to agree. Hopefully over time the confidence will come. The problem is, we are running out of time to learn. The games in October, and mainly the next two, will determine the success of this season.; 2:14 PM
WarEagleRK said...: The problems aren't just catch punts, you are right.

We are the worst in the SEC in punt return average...less than 3 yards per return.

We don't cover kicks or punts that well at all. Our D is almost always starting around the 40 after a kickoff.

We've had a few kickoffs out of bounds.

Last night twice when we got a good kickoff return, it came back due to penalties.

The only things on special teams that seem to be working are PAT's and FG's.; 2:23 PM