2008 Woodie Awards
Tiger rush defense will test Razorbacks
Robert Beckmann
Issue date: 10/10/07 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 2 next >
Stopping the run has become the Auburn Tigers' specialty. Through six games, the Tiger defense is allowing 116.3 rushing yards per contest. Only one player has run for over 100 yards against Auburn and, on average, opposing rushers are only mustering 3.3 yards per carry.
Arkansas Head Coach Houston Nutt has noted the Tigers' proficiency against the run, and he believes Saturday's game could prove to be one of the tougher challenges of the season.
Even with tailbacks Darren McFadden and Felix Jones, nothing less than a total team effort will be needed for a victory, Nutt said.
"It's about everybody doing their job. It takes 11 men on offense. Eight will not get it done, nine won't get it done-not even to gain four yards," Nutt said. "Even with one of the greatest backfields in Arkansas history, everybody has to do their part."
Auburn, which lost 22 seniors and returned only 12 starters, struggled early in the season. After edging Kansas State in the season opener, the Tigers dropped consecutive losses to South Florida and Mississippi State.
Then the young Tiger team grew up in a hurry.
After demolishing New Mexico State, Auburn shocked the then-No. 4 Florida Gators 20-17 on the road. A 35-7 follow-up victory over Vanderbilt has brought the Tigers to a 4-2 record overall, 2-1 in the Southeastern Conference.
Offensively, Auburn opened the season with a heavy passing attack, but they have been forced to temper it with the running game as the season has progressed. In the first three games of the season, senior quarterback Brandon Cox threw six interceptions and only two touchdowns.
Often faltering in clutch situations, Cox completed two of his final six passes on the final drive in the loss against Mississippi State.
Ill consistency with the pass prompted the Tigers to gain more confidence in the run. After averaging only 93.5 yards rushing in their first two games, Auburn has averaged 195.8 in their last four, going over 200 yards rushing in three of them. Tailbacks Ben Tate and Mario Fannin lead the way and have become the bedrock of the Auburn offense. According to coaches, both the passing and running games depend heavily on them.
Arkansas Head Coach Houston Nutt has noted the Tigers' proficiency against the run, and he believes Saturday's game could prove to be one of the tougher challenges of the season.
Even with tailbacks Darren McFadden and Felix Jones, nothing less than a total team effort will be needed for a victory, Nutt said.
"It's about everybody doing their job. It takes 11 men on offense. Eight will not get it done, nine won't get it done-not even to gain four yards," Nutt said. "Even with one of the greatest backfields in Arkansas history, everybody has to do their part."
Auburn, which lost 22 seniors and returned only 12 starters, struggled early in the season. After edging Kansas State in the season opener, the Tigers dropped consecutive losses to South Florida and Mississippi State.
Then the young Tiger team grew up in a hurry.
After demolishing New Mexico State, Auburn shocked the then-No. 4 Florida Gators 20-17 on the road. A 35-7 follow-up victory over Vanderbilt has brought the Tigers to a 4-2 record overall, 2-1 in the Southeastern Conference.
Offensively, Auburn opened the season with a heavy passing attack, but they have been forced to temper it with the running game as the season has progressed. In the first three games of the season, senior quarterback Brandon Cox threw six interceptions and only two touchdowns.
Often faltering in clutch situations, Cox completed two of his final six passes on the final drive in the loss against Mississippi State.
Ill consistency with the pass prompted the Tigers to gain more confidence in the run. After averaging only 93.5 yards rushing in their first two games, Auburn has averaged 195.8 in their last four, going over 200 yards rushing in three of them. Tailbacks Ben Tate and Mario Fannin lead the way and have become the bedrock of the Auburn offense. According to coaches, both the passing and running games depend heavily on them.
Be the first to comment on this story