Gus Malzahn updates Auburn's battle for starting center

In last week’s 34-3 win against Arkansas, Auburn coaches shook up their starting lineup by inserting redshirt freshman Nick Brahms at center.

Apparently, they liked what they saw.

Tigers coach Gus Malzahn said during his Tuesday press conference that Brahms will make his second start at center against Southern Miss on Saturday.

Gus Malzahn is speaking about Saturday's game against Southern Miss. Nick Brahms will make his second start at center, Malzahn confirms. "We thought he did a solid job … and expect him to improve."

— AUBlog (@AUBlog) September 25, 2018

Malzahn said last week that Brahms, who was limited early in the year after breaking his fibula during spring practice, was locked in a battle for the starting spot with junior Kaleb Kim. Kim started the first three games of the year as Auburn went 2-1, though he committed two costly holding penalties late in the team’s 22-21 loss to LSU.

The No. 10 Tigers (3-1) appear more confident in Brahms at this point, and he’ll have a chance to further cement himself as the starter against Southern Miss (2-1) at 4 p.m. on Saturday.