Auburn had a nice tuneup on Saturday for this week’s SEC opener. It took a while for the No. 7 Tigers to get on track but they delivered a dominating performance, smacking SWAC foe Alabama State 63-9 at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
There was a lot to like about the performance, as expected against an inferior opponent. Auburn took care of business, for sure. But there were still a couple of things that were a bit concerning for Tigers fans.
Here are five things I liked about the game, and three things the Tigers need to improve before they enter SEC play.
Things I liked
1. JaTarvious Whitlow running: The freshman ran with authority and provided quality carries. He recorded his first 100-yard game, rushing for 122 yards on 14 carries, both game highs. Most impressively, he did it all in the first half.
2. Run game as a whole: The Tigers flexed their muscles, playing ground-and-pound football. A stellar performance from the offensive line opened holes for both freshmen, Whitlow and Shaun Shivers, and both surpassed 100 yards. The Tigers piled up 429 yards rushing; Shivers and Harold Joiner each had his first career rushing touchdowns. Kam Martin scored his first rushing touchdown of the season and sixth of his career.
3. Anthony Schwartz contribution: The true freshman wide receiver had a breakout game as well. In addition to his first career touchdown on a 57-yard pass from QB Jarrett Stidham, Schwartz added a 23-yard touchdown run. He’s the first Auburn receiver to score a rushing and receiving touchdown in the same game since Stanton Truitt against Arkansas in 2016.
4. Ball hawk Daniel Thomas: The strong safety picked off two Alabama State passes, returning one for 29 yards and his first career touchdown. The interceptions were his fourth and fifth of his career and marked his first multiple-interception game since 2016 against Alabama.
5. PAT streak continues: Auburn kickers Anders Carlson and Ian Shannon were successful on all nine extra-point kick attempts. Carlson booted six in the first half and Shannon tacked on three in the second half. Auburn has hit 232 consecutive PAT kicks, the second-longest streak in the nation.
Things I didn’t like
1. Offense not ready to play early: The Tigers were lethargic early on offense, going three-and-out in the opening drive before fumbling away their second possession. They made up for it in the long run, but in bigger games that kind of lifeless beginning could be damaging.
2. Stidham sloppy: Granted, Auburn mostly featured its running game, but Stidham was not sharp in going 6-of-11 for 113 yards passing. He didn’t need to carry the offense in this game, but in games coming up he’ll have to be much more crisp and accurate.
3. Fumbles: A lot of new players touched the football, but five fumbles (four lost) is unacceptable under any conditions. Against SEC competition that’s a recipe for defeat. Coach Gus Malzahn will certainly address this as he prepares the Tigers for the SEC gauntlet ahead.
Glenn Sattell is an award-winning freelance writer for Saturday Down South.
