Auburn's defense wins praise from inside and out

94743679474367

Sept. 28, 2016

By Charles Goldberg
AuburnTigers.com

AUBURN, Ala. -- Will Muschamp doesn't have to play Auburn this season, but the South Carolina head coach is more than an interested outside observer.

Muschamp, who was Auburn's defensive coordinator, saluted the Tigers' defensive play during the SEC teleconference Wednesday.

"Those guys are playing extremely well," he said. "They've got everybody back up front. They're fun to watch. They've got all the DBs back. The linebackers have stepped up and played extremely well."

Muschamp said new defensive coordinator Kevin Steele "and his staff have done a fantastic job. I'm really happy to see those guys playing well and enjoying it. There was a lot of work put into it, and I'm certainly happy for those guys."

Auburn coach Gus Malzahn praised his defense as well during the teleconference, saying the Tigers played pretty well in "all three phases, specifically defense" in last Saturday's win over LSU.

Auburn's defense has held three of its first four opponents to fewer than 20 points. Opponents have scored 75 points through four games, the third lowest total in the last 10 years. Auburn will try to keep up its defensive play in Saturday's 2:30 p.m. game agianst Lousiana-Monroe.

Also...



- Malzahn explained Tuesday his decision to give up his play-calling responsibilities. Then he got a critique from his wife, Kristi.

How'd that go?

"We'll keep that between me and her. But, yeah, when I got home she had a response," Malzahn chuckled.

- One of the recurring themes of the teleconference that features the 14 league coaches was the firing of LSU coach Les Miles. Malzahn, as he did Tuesday, said he was sorry to see his friend suffer that fate.

Follow @AUGoldMine