Auburn defense looking to keep up pressure at homecoming

Auburn defense looking to keep up pressure at homecomingAuburn defense looking to keep up pressure at homecoming

Oct. 1, 2016

By Charles Goldberg
AuburnTigers.com

AUBURN, Ala. - Rudy Ford is where Rudy Ford usually is - atop the Auburn tackle chart, covering receivers and lending his leadership to the secondary.

It's a busy job, to be sure, but the player who has led Auburn in tackles three straight seasons is getting help from his teammates up front. Auburn's defensive line caused some havoc in the win over LSU last week, and will be looking to do the same when the Tigers meet Louisiana-Monroe at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in Jordan-Hare Stadium at homecoming.

Ford says the pressure from Auburn's defensive line makes things easier for the secondary and is "a big difference." That begins with the defensive line starters: Marlon Davidson, Dontavius Russell, Montravius Adams and Carl Lawson.

"A great defensive line like we have makes a whole difference out there. Everybody is able to see that," Ford said. "I think we have the best defensive line in the countryÃÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬¦everybody, across the board."

The defensive line is anchored by Adams and Lawson. But the newest of the new, Davidson, has more than held his own. The freshman was in to defend 50 of LSU's 59 plays.

"He's been phenomenal for us," Ford said. "He's only continue to grow and get better. He's been running and chasing down the ball. That's big time. He's going to continue to get better and continue to make some great plays out there."

Linebacker Darrell Williams said Adams has been "dominating."

"That's a big key for us especially in the middle of that defense on the D-line," Williams said. "We've been needing him to play at his best and he's been doing that." And Williams said Adams made sure everybody knew he'd do it before the LSU game. "He talked to us as a leader before and he couldn't wait to get out there on that field. He took it upon himself to play the best."

Ford has a team-best 28 tackles. He led Auburn in tackles in 2014 with 93, and led again with 118 in 2015.

"I don't really pay attention to that, but it's a blessing," Ford said. "I just go out there and play and help my team win."

So there's the senior Ford, the senior Davis and the freshman Davidson and everything in between.

"I feel like from the start to now we are coming along, getting our chemistry more together, playing a lot better as a whole unit," Ford said.

Charles Goldberg is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @AUGoldMine