AUBURN, Ala. - In the Gus Malzahn era, Auburn fans have grown accustomed to eye-popping stats and offensive explosions. Saturday's 63-9 win over Alabama State broke new ground, becoming the most points scored in Malzahn's six seasons. Auburn scored 62 against Western Carolina in 2013, Malzahn's first year as head coach.
"We are glad to get the victory," Malzahn said. "It was a really good crowd for the first home game and we are looking forward to next week."
Auburn hosts LSU next Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT in the SEC opener.
Against ASU, Auburn scored more than 50 points for the 11th time under Malzahn.
DOUBLE PICK DANIEL
Playing against his hometown team and two former high school teammates, Montgomery native Daniel Thomas repeated a feat he first performed in the 2016 Iron Bowl, intercepting two passes.
"We played to the standard that Coach Steele has been preaching all week, and being a mature football team," Thomas said. "We showed that tonight."
In the first quarter, Thomas returned an interception 29 yards for a touchdown, giving Auburn a 21-0 lead.
"I had seen the play before on film," he said. "I knew the quarterback was a one-read guy so I just jumped it."
In the second quarter, Thomas struck again, jumping another route to give Auburn possession on ASU's 23. Anthony Schwartz scored on a reverse on the next play.
"Same thing," said Thomas, crediting film study and practice reps for his quick reactions. "I saw the play before at the beginning of the game. I saw it the second time and just jumped it."
"He's a football player," Malzahn said. "Stick his foot in the ground and two impact plays. He scored on the one and the other one led to points."
Thomas dedicated his game to his late former high school quarterback Shaquille Johnson, who was shot and killed in February in Montgomery.
"That stuck with me," Thomas said, recalling how Johnson had planned to walk on at ASU. "He said, 'I just wanted to play against you.' I told my teammates before [the ASU game], 'I'm playing for him tonight.' I just wanted to make him proud, because I know he'd be out playing football right now."
GRIN AND BARRETT
Devan Barrett's versatility resulted in a special teams touchdown.
Barrett, who has played running back and receiver before setting in at defensive back for the Tigers, recovered a blocked punt for a touchdown.
"Devan's been playing corner and a couple periods of day on some offense," Malzahn said. "I think he's locked in over there right now. There's nothing like experience for him."
FRESHMEN ON THE RUN
Auburn's emphasis on improving its rushing attack paid dividends with the Tigers averaging 7.3 yards per carry on 59 rushes for 429 yards and six touchdowns.
Freshman running backs JaTarvious Whitlow and Shaun Shivers each eclipsed the 100-yard mark for the first time.
"He's really impressed us in scrimmages," Malzahn said of Shivers. "He's a tough guy. He's a real physical guy, even though he's not big in stature. He really runs hard, and low to the ground. He did a good job when he was in there."
Freshman running back Harold Joiner emerged as another option in the Wildcat formation. In the third quarter, Joiner picked up a first down on fourth-and-4, then capped the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run.
Freshmen accounted for 358 yards, 86 percent of Auburn's rushing output.
"There's nothing like carries in a game," Malzahn said. "Four freshmen carried the football. That was by design. We want to give those guys a chance to show what they can do. It's a long season and depth, especially in our league, is a factor. It gave us a chance to play a whole bunch of people."
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @jeff_shearer