AUBURN, Ala. – With only 17 days until the season opener, Gus Malzahn and the Auburn coaches wanted to get an extended look at the running game and in particular, the running backs, during Wednesday's scrimmage. So the Tigers ran on close to 75 or 80 percent of the plays and used their entire stable of backs.
"That was by design," Malzahn said. "To see who could hold onto the football and to see who could tackle and get off blocks.
"I think last scrimmage we actually threw it more than we ran it, which was kind of by design, too. You're just trying to give your guys a chance to show what they can do for your depth chart and all that. But then there are times you're trying to create an attitude, trying to create an identity."
Throughout the offseason, Malzahn has said time and again that junior Kam Martin would be the first running back out there for Auburn, but he's also talked about how important the depth is at that position and how players like JaTarvious Whitlow, Asa Martin, C.J. Tolbert, Malik Miller and Shaun Shivers could all play a role – some larger than others.
On Wednesday, every one of them got their opportunity. Malzahn said all of the younger backs got around 10 carries apiece, including true freshman Harold Joiner, who arrived this summer and has the versatility to play as many as four positions on offense.
But whether it was Joiner or Whitlow or Martin, they all did something well at one point or another, according to senior H-back Chandler Cox.
"It was a very good scrimmage," Cox said. "A lot of downhill running. That was the emphasis today, just to run the ball downhill and be tough. That's what the coaches told us before practice was going to happen, and that's what we did. It was very physical, very good for our team. All of us needed it."
Even Shivers, another true freshman who arrived in the summer, made some plays during the scrimmage and scored a touchdown. Everybody knew the 5-foot-7, 173-pound dynamo was fast, but he's shown during fall camp that he can be physical, too.
"I knew he was going to be physical," Cox said. "I just like watching him. He's so little, so fast. He's just a good kid, very physical and just does all the right things, does what the coach tells him. I think he's going to be a big-time player for us."
The other major point of emphasis for the offense in Wednesday's scrimmage was the offensive line. There are still some moving parts, but Malzahn said they're getting closer to having a plan for that first game on Sept. 1 against Washington. It's a group that is having to replace four seniors from a year ago.
"We got some really good information after today," Malzahn said. "I think right now, it's more one of those things where you say, how many guys do you have that can help this first game? Depth wise, you've got to start with that. I think we're getting real close to saying who can play the very first game. If this guy goes down, who's the next guy? I think we're close to that.
"As far as the starters, there'll be some discussion. Chip [Lindsey] and J.B. [Grimes] will communicate. This scrimmage was very important. I think it'll give us some good information."
Auburn is off Thursday but will return to practice this weekend where the players will go Friday, Saturday and Sunday as they continue to prepare for the upcoming season.
Greg Ostendorf is a Senior Writer for AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @greg_ostendorf
