Defense leads in first Auburn scrimmage

Defense leads in first Auburn scrimmageDefense leads in first Auburn scrimmage

 AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn's defense led the way in Thursday's 84-play scrimmage, the Tigers' first intrasquad of the preseason.

"The defense, especially the [first-team] defense dominated the scrimmage," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said.

The first unit forced three turnovers - two interceptions including a pick six, and a fumble after a reception.

"They were getting after it," Malzahn said. "They were flying to the ball. Really good that our defense had an outstanding day. Getting turnovers, that's a focus for us."

Offensive highlights included a heavy workload from running back Harold Joiner and a 58-yard field goal by Anders Carlson, who also hit a 47-yarder at the conclusion of practice to spare his teammates 10 pushups.

"Trying to put him in as many pressure situations, too, because the likelihood with our schedule there will be a lot of games that have a chance to go down toward the end," Malzahn said.

Four linemen, two each from offense and defense, recapped the scrimmage for reporters.

"We got some turnovers today, but we've got so much more room to improve," defensive tackle Derrick Brown said. "Vet guys, young guys, we've got to get everybody up to the standard. We've got to come together as a unit and elevate our level of play."

"The O-line, and the orange (first-team) offense entirely, we didn't play up to our standard," offensive lineman Prince Tega Wanogho said. "We've just got to improve. Good that we've got another scrimmage coming up."

"We practice pursuit drills where we run to the ball, if somebody catches an interception, we convert and block everybody," defensive lineman Nick Coe said of the defense's assignment after takeaways.

"You've got to beat the best to be the best," offensive lineman Jack Driscoll said. "It helps my game. I know I help them out. Iron sharpens iron."

The starting quarterback competition between Joey Gatewood and Bo Nix will continue at least through Auburn's second preseason scrimmage next Wednesday, Malzahn said.

"They're going to need as many reps as they can get," he said. "There's nothing like a scrimmage. That's what they look forward to and that's what the coaches look forward to."

Malzahn expects Auburn's offense to respond favorably in next week's scrimmage.

"You look at film, you look at the corrections and then you come back the next time, and you improve," he said. "My experience is, the guys that can do it, they figure it out and the next time they don't make the same mistake. The good offenses come back the next time and they respond, and they get it corrected.

"On days like this this, my experience is one group that doesn't do well one day, they need to respond the next time," he said. "That's the good thing from a coaches' standpoint. The reality is we're pretty good on defense, too."

Starting at 10 a.m., temperatures reached the 90s late in the scrimmage with the "feels like" temperature hitting triple digits.

"It was really hot out there which is really good for us," Brown said. "The heat alone creates adversity and strains us."

"That is always good for our guys to feel, to push themselves forward," Malzahn said. "That is really a positive thing to find who will push through, who needs to push through a little bit more and who was flying to the ball.

 "Overall, it was a success from the standpoint of giving everybody a chance, evaluation. This scrimmage will really be highly graded on effort and our Auburn standard.

 "We got a lot of great information today. We're asking the guys coming back, even if they're this and that, we're asking them to raise their levels."
 

Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer