That's a wrap: Auburn wins, 37-13
Hey everyone. Pretty powerful win for the Tigers on Saturday night. Let's take a look at some numbers, trends and quotes that caught my eyes.- Auburn wins, 37-13.
- Auburn outgains La Tech 357-102 during the second half.
- Onterio McCalebb rushes for 148 yards on 22 carries. He's very fast.
- Ben Tate rushes for 117 yards on 20 carries. He's mean between the tackles.
- Auburn rushes for 301 yards total.
- Auburn finishes with 556 yards. That's the highest total since Kentucky 2005 ... aka The Tristan Davis Game.
- Onterrio McCalebb on his approach: "A lot of people say I'm small. It's not about size. It's all about heart. I can do anything I want to. If I get on the edge, I'll go off the edge. If I'm between the tackles, I run between the tackles."
- McCalebb again: ``I was hyped the whole game. I was running around telling people that nobody could touch us. They tried to tackle me and I'm too fast. They'd better do what they can do because I'm coming."
- La Tech DT D'Anthony Smith, a coveted NFL prospect: ``I have to give them credit. It's one of the best offensive lines I have played against in my career."
- La Tech coach Derek Dooley: ``We prepared for it, but the hard part was the big offensive linemen and the two big running backs. Every time you try to hit them, there is no way you can simulate it. It seemed like we were behind the chains every time they handed it off to No. 44."
- Terrell Zachery: ``It was the first game and it took a while for everyone to get back and moving together on game day. I thought in the second half we came together really well and that helped us put the game away."
- Nick Fairley on what Tracy Rocker told him to do: ``Go out and ball. Know where you're going and ball. It's nothing fancy."
- Ted Roof: ``I thought that was a good start for Nick. I thought he showed up and I was most proud of him when he made a mistake, he kept going. He responded the right way. He played hard and played solid and that was a good start for him."
- Gene Chizik on the atmosphere: ``They were there tonight and they were fired up and they fired our football team up. It started from the time we got off the bus to the time we went out for our pre-game warmups and they never let up. They did their job just like they always do."
- Chizik on being nervous: ``I had a little bit of the pregame jitters. I just thought we were really well prepared to be honest with you. I just felt prepared."
Photo credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn University
posted by Jay G. Tate at
11:06 PM
130 Comments:
one
I rock the house
3
It is so nice to see some fire in our coaches!!! War Eagle!
4 shor!
Let's don't overlook the special teams. those cover guys were out to head hunt. MUCH better than last year. remember la tech had a great return team back from last year
I love the way the offensive line performed. Last year they were the problem. This year they are the solution.
War Eagle! Great game!
Our coverage teams were pretty good last season, as opposed to 2007 where the kick coverage team stunk.
500 plus yards.
A 24-point win.
Sitting 2 rows behind Randy Campbell, and more importantly, Mrs. Randy Campbell.
I believe a Woot is in order.
Woot!
Todd looked very good. The only pass he seemed to struggle with was that out toward the sideline. Did it look that way on the broadcast? I recorded the game but have not had the chance to watch it.
That pass toward the back of the end-zone where he took a big hit was a thing of beauty.
I'm out from J-H.
Peace to j00.
I thought the out looked bad, but I am not sure he wasn't just trying to get rid of the ball.
Everyone repeat after me. No bubble screens!!!
Also, motion was the word for the day.
Steve the OL was not the problem last year. They were the product of the problem.
Mrs. Randy Campbell, huh? Now I know why Mrs. Jet stayed at the apartment, wink wink nudge nudge.
Nice piece on Fyffe this morning, as well as your post about your Dad.
Gave your condolences to Big Mike.
I kept watching to see if Todd lost any zip as the game went on. He seemed to hold up pretty good. There were several bad passes that they threw, that had they been on target could have resulted in an INT. I think he played very smart tonight.
BigCat, I am not certain whether to blame the offensive line last year on Nall, Franklin, or Tuberville. What we had there was a failure to communicate.
I heard someone predict Maryland would upset California the other day. Cal is up 46-13 or something like that. So much for predictions.
Did I hear that right that Virginia lost to William & Mary? In what? The Debate Finals?
I think Mr. Groh may not make it til Labor Day.
As for Todd, I won't be sure about his arm until we get in the middle of the season.
You kids give your props to DMiller, who pegged the score to me in an FB message on Thursday.
He can buy stocks for me.
Yeah, I heard William & Mary upset Virginia. Not a good day to be a Virginia coach.
Man...that Mary can be a ring tailed Bi**#.
Impressive play by the offense.
Impressive second half by the defense.
Impressive play on special teams.
A few miscues, some penalty issues, but overall couldn't have gone any better.
Chizik showed some fire on the sidelines. It was very organized. The players played with gusto and brutish power.
Looking forward to next week.
One game at a time. This was a good start.
And, yes, McCalebb is FAH.
Forgive me for asking old news, but what is Eltoro's status for next week? Was it the hamstring injury that kept him out of tonight's game?
Wow, William & Mary 26, Virginia 14. I didn't know the spanking was that bad.
Steve I blame all three. Even if it was Franklin's idea, someone with better sense should have spoke up early and often.
Sensi, are you an optimist yet?
somebody tell me how the players came onto the field...arm in arm....smoke...fire...etc?
What up Hotties?! I hope everyone enjoyed the game. I was unfortunately in a no HABOTN zone for most of the action this afternoon/evening. I'm feeling better about our team. We need to cut down on the careless mistakes, but that being said, I thought it was a huge win and a great start to the Gene Chizik era. I'm out for today as I'm totally exhausted. War Eagle and goodnight!
I would think any Auburn fan would have to be encouraged considering how things went on offense last year.
Hopeful, Steve, hopeful.
And tired.
Good night.
Yea we gotta give Chizik some love too. It seemed that every time the camera was on him, he was coaching up some player.
BigCat, the problem wasn't the size of the line, it was how they played. Whether Franklin's idea could have possibly worked is debatable, but it was up to Nall to implement the idea. It was also up to Tuberville to make sure the coaches new Franklin called the shots. It is more complicated than just the size of the linemen.
Next week will answer even more questions. MSU isn't a top tier SEC program, but they usually have a top tier SEC defense. If we roll up over close to 400 yards on them, I will be very impressed.
missinit, best I remember, the players just ran out together(no locking arms). The smoke was still there.
Missinit they kinda jogged out through smoke. I know some people hated xCTT's arm locked entranced but I thought it was pretty cool. This was nothing special but they saved that for when the whistle blew.
extremely promising start to the season.
AU is 20% to their 2008 win total and about 90% to their total offensive production from 2008.
let's hope it only gets better.
now lets hope the winless huskies can stump the bayou bungles.
Jet Cliff Notes
1. Must get better at LB.
2. Need to clean up the penalties. The first pass interference call was atrocious -- the ball was over the receivers head and beyond when McFadden hit the guy. We were a tad sloppy.
3. Ball security, Darwin. You gotta know you're gonna get hit from behind on that play.
4. Dropping balls on punts is a double sin.
5. The first La. Tech touchdown was well designed to get Adam Herring one on one. In our euphoria, let's remember that we're still very inexperienced on D.
6. I love, love the offensive tempo.
7. Boom was telling people about Nick Fairley two years ago. I understand why.
8. O-Mac is FAHbulous.
9. Tate = Jonathan Papelbon/Mariano Rivera
10. A theory I will explore: Without the burden of worry of having to carry an offense, Kodi looked extremely comfortable on the football field.
any lead in videos/song on the jumbotron thingy?
Okrahoma has to be really shocked. They went from contending for a national championship to having their buts kicked by a bunch of mormons all in the first game of the season.
Need us some of them there linebackers and such but good showing.
I don't think we're going to hear or OC call himself a dumba$$ this year. He's a maniac!!!
missinit-They had the smoke, but I did not see the arm in arm. Chizik lead them out. no pile on on the the sidelines. however, trooper is all that and a bag of chips.
When the WR's came out he chest bumped them all and through right before they left the field, after warm ups, they were headed towards the tunnel, he called them back, was jumping and waving his towel, and the players got juiced up and the crowd got loud.
I disagree to an extent Steve. It was the size of the line. They didnt think they could compete at that weight, which caused some fasle starts from Ziemba who was trying to get a jump on the bigger, stronger defenders. Either way that is officially AU history thank goodness.
Glad to see the FrontRim's back!
And ain't that the truth, Faker. You would think.
yeah, let's hope nall was watching what a real offense can do when everyone is on the same page. maybe there are some truckers he can go cuss. keep him as far away from my offense as possible.
Jet, good points as always.
I've been unable to hear any news since around 3:00. What is the deal with Eltoro? I didn't see him on the sidelines, but I was sitting in the upper deck.
I heard right before I went in that they want his hammy to get better for next week.
the jumbotron did have a slight hiccup and went dead for a moment during pregame intros. seemed like they had some audio problems throughout the night too.
Dang I wished I had been there!
Did y'all have a good time partaying and tailgating??
Great quotes, Jay G.
BigCat, I think Franklin intended for technique to take the place of size. The problem is, I don't believe Nall bought into it and thus the linemen never did. If size was the problem, then you can only lay the blame on Franklin, not Tuberville, and certainly not Nall. Franklin is a better coach than people give him credit for being, but when the coaches don't agree, things aren't going to work.
Jumbotron song was Family reunion by Saliva. It was ok.
Deepressed -- The out paterns that CT threw to Benton in the 2nd half where it seemed as if they were bad passes Coach Trooper cuh-rawled DB's earhole when he came to the sidelines and he stayed there.
He went too far on one and curled on an out on the other.
Three passes and punt on that one.
OL looked great but I drindged when I head "illeagel proceedure #73....."
All in all, Malzahn n camera is a trip. If he said "run it" once he said it elevendy-hunded times. (as in run the play).
He likes him some TEMPO.
Nall was a very good offensive line coach who sent many players to the NFL. His philosophy just didn't agree with Franklins, in my opinion. If he had his way, the linemen wouldn't have been on the ethiopian diet plan.
There was an opening video. it was good. Had very good music, but I cannot recall the name of it, but my daughter will tell me sunday.
The video was something like, Au a tradition, a family, a new beginning. Lots of football video in it from different years. i was not disappointed with it.
I am worried about the defense. But, I am impressed with the offense.
And Jet...woot to you! Sitting wit the high falutin crowd!
Good points Chris. Often it is hard to tell if an incompletion is because of the QB or the receiver.
Defense played lights out in the second half. I think some of the first half stuff was being too hyped up. They made adjustments at the half...they worked. We're gonna be ok.
Adjustments at the half!!! Those are sweet words.
You guys can move on from that old crap. They are gone. Right now I will throw them all under the bus and say they sucked last year, get over it and be glad your team well tonight. NOTHING you say will bring any of them back and I am glad.
Let's move on. Talk about the crap on facebook or something but not here.
Today was my first time sitting in the upper deck seats. They were not as bad as I thought they would be but I must admit I missed the student section. Although I am getting too old to stand up for 2 hrs, I am way too young to reserve my raucousness for the really big plays.
Chris in Inverness, thanks for the info. I always like to go back and watch the game again on TV if I get to see it in person. I've learned that things aren't always as they seem to be.
Jet, thanks for Da Bull update. The biggest disapointment of the night for me was not getting to watch him play.
Monica and Greg and closing down football HQ. Sweet Auburn dreams to all you good folks.
WAR EAGLE!
It's easy to grin when you ring up 500-plus yards, and it could have been more.
The tempo and creativity are a sight to behold. At no point did we look disorganized on offense.
La. Tech had some skill, and save a couple of scrambles by their QB, we stuffed their running game.
Winning football requires good defense. We're a long ways away from that.
wtc, good point. And the best thing about this team is that I get the impression everyone is on the same page. All of the coaches seem to respect each other and the players definitely respect the coaches. The way the team reacted when Todd was named the starter was beautiful. That is truly a family.
Wtc gettin' all Murano on the the haters!
Preach it WTC.
Whoever had Tate on the first carry for 4 yards I think is the winner on the 1st play from scrimmage. i think he went for 4-5 on the first play.
Wait... Adjustments at the half? You're allowed yo make those?
Seriously though, it is about dang time an AU team made adjustments at halftime, came out and executed, and didn't start playing a prevent offense with a slight lead.
The former coaches deserve our respect for a lot of good years, well, except one. But that is the past and ChizCo deserves a lot of credit in coming up with a team that appears to be very solid. Our defense is better than they played in the first half. I am feeling pretty good about this team. Now if we can just get a couple of linebackers back, I will be happy.
The last time I saw significant adjustments at the half was against Florida 2 years ago. Last season I hoped they would do something different, but they never seemed to, except against Vandy when they abandoned the running game that was working.
Don't make me take out a can of WA. i got a whole six pack and am ready to use it.
Even with the mistakes, which I think most a 1st game nerves, I was very pleased tonight. Especially since I was one that called for Malzahn to be the OC even if the old HC was staying. His combination of run/pass was very well planned tonight.
Washington just had one of their corners juked out of his cleats.
As Steve said the other night, if you watched tulsa, you saw the AU offense, but with better athletes.
I had actually hoped Malzahn would be the head coach, but I think Chizik was a very good choice. He seems to have the personality for it, and I think Malzahn is more of a coach than a manager, which is what I consider a head coach.
wtc, that was what I was thinking in the first quarter. We looked a lot like Tulsa. I loved it.
It was also nice to see that when the coaches said we would be a physical running football team, they weren't lying. We pushed LaTech around pretty good.
two things concern me: linebackers....very thin, eagle....almost MIA?
Is there a worse football analyst than Bob Davie now that the Daves are gone?
Still driving as I type, but a couple of thoughts.
Offense- Love it, but especially 1st down yardage gained, no 3 and outs the whole game and I believe only 2 negative plays.
Defense- played good the second half. Could b a long year against good offensive teams. Short passes over the middle where open way too much, especially if LB had to cover. Depth will get us here at some point.
Regardless, were nice opening gam in which improvements can be made.
Eddie....DO NOT text and drive, and I mean it, seriously!
missinit-very thin at LB. we ran 5 db's several times tonight. The LB's we had were aggressive, but during the 1st half they were getting worn down with no relief. That will change when Freeman gets healthy. We will still be thin, but a little better. We need Coleman and Fairly to stay very healthy all season.
Woohoo, I just verified Auburn is on TV here in Columbia next week. It isn't HD, but I can live with it. They will be on FSCRMB, whatever the heck that is.
We need Pybus back too.
I'm out folks. Been up since 3:30am. starting drag a little now.
I'm sure I will pick it back ui Sunday afternoon
Issinit- let me clarify. My brother is driving and I'm riding. We just seiches therefore that is why I jus posted. I agree with you about driving and typing.
FSCRMB is Fox Sports Carolinas. Go figure.
There was one 3 and out series, but only one that I remember. How many times did we punt tonight?
Okay then.....not trying to be your Mama but it just comes natural. But be careful anyway.
J-z- I think you are mistaken. I'm fairly sure we didn't.
That game was going so fast and I was posting and trying to watch at the same time but did we blitz much....I only recall a couple of times.
2 punts I believe.
I hate bama. Just above Atlanta and some Jack leg Nama fan has to honk at us and be asses.
Missinit- we hadseveral safety blitzes.
two punts for a 40.5 avg according to Rivals
we had at least one 3 and out. I think we ran three pass plays and Benton turned the wrong way on two of them.
2 punts is correct.
I saw several blitzes. many more than Au has run the past couple of years.
Now i am really out.
I love blitzes...especially when they work! I love to see minus yards!
Nope...had one drive where there were 3 incomplete passes back to back to back. Trooper read the riot act to the receivers for running the wrong routes.
Wtc- I'll go look it up, but I thought for sure those 3 incomplete passes came after a quick firstdown run. I'm almost willing to bet on it, but you are the second to say that. My brother can't remember a 3 and out either.
I liked the consistency we saw out of this offense tonight. And having so few offensive penalties was a pleasant surprise.
Bynes blitzed a lot on runs and passes.
I'm out. Nite kids.
Woot!
There were no three and outs unless you count the TD pass on the third play, the end of the first half, or then end of the second half. We did have one drive that was four plays and a fumble.
I'm outta here too.....cheers to a New Era in AU football!
WDE!!!!
Just went to auburntigers.com and loomed at the play by play chart. We had no 3 and outs.
OM is going to have great days here on the plains. Good Night HABOTN, and War Eagle.
Woooohooooo! just saw the score!
WAR EAGLE!!
Good morning Hotties. Just getting in from Auburn. What a fantastic day! I can't remember the last time we had such a balance attack. Tiger Walk was energized. I especially liked the fact that Coach Chizik was at the end of the line. He let the players go first. I have never seen an Eagle flight like tonight. Everyone commented on how long Tiger soared. No rain. Can't wait to watch the taped game tomorrow.
I see from pics that the stadium had a lot of empty seats. I hope that will change soon.
Wake up Hotties!!!
It's a brand new day, and the good news is we are all smiling!!!!!
WAR EAGLE!
Mornin Missinit.
GOOOOD MOORRRRNIIING HABOTNITES!!!!
Who had sweet dreams about 93 yard TD passes last night?
Oh I did BigCat, I did indeed.
Aero,
A lot of the empty seats seemed to be in the La Tech area (ie tehy did nto sell tickets). not sot say it was packed everywhere else but I thought it was a pretty good tournout for a night game vs la tech.
500+ yards -- HOLY COW!!!!
Todd has an arm and is pretty accurate...
Mr. FAH is FAH
DL needs more coffee... cannot type...
Good morning and War Eagle! All in all a great first game, especially for a new coaching staff.I think the defense will improve a lot by next week, so will DeAngelo Benton. My only complaint with the offense, and its a minor one, is getting Onterio the ball, as CGM said "in the right situation." What I mean is not between the tackles or east and west first, but maybe a flair route or quick out that gives him room to make the first guy miss and still have room to get down field. With his speed his longest run should have been more than 14yds. Maybe the coaches aren't confident in his hands to catch a pass. Like I said its a minor critique seeing that he had over a hundred yards.
As predicted, we won and there is nothing - NOTHING - about it nationally.
Nothing about Chizik's coaching, Malzhan's offense, Todd's arm, not a damn thing.
If we'd lost, Yahoo and ESPN would have plastered that all over the place.
I now hate UAT and the media.
WAR DAMN EAGLE, Hotties!!! What an exciting game!!! Chris Todd most definitely answered any questions we had about his arm. Spirit's flight was AUsome!!! At one point, I thought she was going to fly right on out of the stadium!
Kathy, I'm glad you were able to make it! We, too, were impressed with CGC for letting his players go through Tiger Walk first.
They sometimes say that a team makes it's most improvement between the first game and the second game.
I am very pleased with how the first game went. I want to see less silly penalties on the D though. I'll chalk that up to early game jitters though, as the second half was well played.
McCalebb is fun to listen to, and will be fin to watch. Every time he got the ball you could here the anticipation of a big play in the voice of Rod Bramlett.
Saw a few highlights, the pass to Adams was a beaut!!!
I completely agree Sensi. ITs like ESPN forgot they aired the game.
Just from a marketing standpoint you would think they would discuss both AU and MSU games so they could hype ESPNU coverage.
I just don't get it. But, if AU consistently puts together 2 halves like last night's second, they will have to start talking about them, don't they?
I would like to go on the record saying that UF has no business playing Charleston-Southern. In '04, AU was crucified for playing Citadel.
Anyone have a link to a video of that 93 yd. TD?
Sensi - I was just watching ESPN and they mentioned Mullen.
I was watching ESPNU this morning and they were discussing MSU, UT, & AU. They were also discussing which HC victory was a better victory. Chizik won that discussion because La Tech was a more viable opponent.
I think the coverage will come. Think about what happened. OK loses and loses a Heisman winner. OSU almost loses to Navy. Michigan after its debacle this week.
Just sayin'
Heck - The Auburn game was in my Baltimore Sun this morning. That is goodness!!
New thread UPZ.
AU1: Glad you're still reading newspapers!
God is great! Auburn is good! Bammers are crazy!
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