Auburn OC Chip Lindsey discusses Tigers’ protection issues, status of OL and RB Boobie Whitlow
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The issues for Auburn’s offense don’t appear to be going away any time soon as the Tigers just faced back-to-back opponents that should have severed as “get-right” games on The Plains, but instead, featured more of the same sloppy offensive performances from coordinator Chip Lindsey’s unit at home.
Against Southern Miss, Auburn rushed for only 96 yards — which marked back-to-back games in which Gus Malzahn’s team failed to reach the century mark. That is a first for the Malzahn era and doesn’t even get into the issues the team has keeping starting quarterback Jarrett Stidham upright at the moment.
The Tigers have now given up seven sacks in the last two games, four against Arkansas and three to Southern Miss.
During his Sunday evening media availability, Lindsey was at a loss as to why his unit is having so much trouble protecting Stidham the last two weekends. The coordinator did note that often times the offensive line gets too much blame for these issues, which is certainly Auburn’s embattled line is likely to face all week heading into the trip to Mississippi State.
“It’s hard to explain. I hadn’t really looked at it from that perspective – the last two are kinda fresh on my mind,” Lindsey said. “I know Jarrett is getting harrassed some, sometimes it’s not just the linemen, sometimes a running back will blow the protection or whatever, or Jarrett may not get it right, to be honest with you. Sometimes that happens. You are right, we haven’t protected him well overall the last two weeks, we have to get better there. Some of it is guys still learning, feeling their way up front. No doubt about it, we have to improve.”
Lindsey was later asked a follow-up question regarding where Calvin Ashley and Austin Troxell will line up next weekend, which was information the coordinator was not eager to give away at this time.
“Don’t know yet,” Lindsey answered. “I think Austin can do both, I think Calvin is a little more comfortable at tackle but at the same time he’s repped some guard, but we’ll kinda get the status of our other guys and try to make decisions based on that.”
The news isn’t all bad, however, as the team’s emerging running back Boobie Whitlow may not be as limited as some feared after leaving the Southern Miss game due to injury.
“Boobie was at practice today. Sunday is kinda light for us, so hopefully — we’ll wait and see if he’s back,” Lindsey said.
If the Tigers are going to go on the road and win on Saturday at Mississippi State, they may need Whitlow in the lineup to take pressure off of Stidham and the embattled offensive line. Whitlow currently leads the team in rushing and touchdowns with 326 yards and four scores.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
