Gus Malzahn transcript
Opening statement…
"The first thing I wanted to say is we're hurting for Brother Chette (Williams), our FCA chaplain. He lost his son over the weekend. Brother Chette has been around here a long time, I think over 20 years. He's touched so many of our players' hearts over the years. I know he's a personal friend to all of our coaches and a personal friend for me. He goes on a mission trip with me and Kristi every summer with our players. We're just hurt for him. Auburn family -- we're going to love him and help him through this tough time.
"We're coming off a disappointing loss at home. I look back at the game, I'm real proud of our team, the way they fought. We're down 21 points in the fourth quarter – our guys fought and got us back in the game. We had some opportunities there towards the end to give us a chance to tie the game or whatever. Really, what stood out to me is our fans. Our fans were unbelievable. They rolled their sleeves up, and they were fighting for us. It was a great fourth quarter and atmosphere and everything that goes with that.
"Now we'll turn the page. Our goal now is to win 10 games, which is extremely hard to do with a schedule like we have. Our guys are putting it behind us. We've got Samford coming up, and I think there are some things that we can take from that fourth quarter that will help us the rest of the season. We're turning the page for Samford and looking forward to finishing the season in a positive way."
What was the main difference in the offense in the fourth quarter Saturday?
"We actually had some explosive plays that got us in pace. We had some that we got the first first down, and the fact that we were wearing them down, that helped, too. If you look at the first half, we really had some opportunities and had a good first drive, and we missed a field goal. We had another drive in the second quarter where I felt like we had some momentum, but we fumbled the ball and we had a chance on a 50/50 ball. So there were some things that were closer than coming out with no points. Then in the fourth quarter we had some explosive plays and got ourselves in pace, and that was really the big difference."
Update on injuries…
"We got some guys banged up. It was a physical game as well; it always is. I think for the most part we came out of it OK."
Are you worried about using Bo Nix too much in the run game?
"In a big game, you've got to do whatever you have to do to win the game. I thought Bo ran the ball extremely well. He's a run threat, and when our quarterback's a run threat, it opens up other things. I think that also helped in the fourth quarter to have in some of those plays that we had to."
Assessment of the run game Saturday…
"Sometimes we were efficient. Obviously, first of all, you have to give those guys credit -- they're the No. 1 rush defense in our league for a reason -- but at the same time, there were some opportunities there. I thought at times we were efficient."
Did you think you would throw 50 times?
"No, I didn't. But if you look how a game unfolds, through the first three quarters I think we were close to 50/50. We may have thrown a few more times than we ran it, and we really went into the game knowing we had to be balanced. When you're playing a talented defense, you need to be balanced, and we talked about that even last Tuesday. When you get in the fourth quarter and you're down by 21 points -- I think we threw it 20 times and I think we ran it 10 times in the fourth quarter. But to answer your question, I didn't think we would throw it 50 times. The way the game unfolded, that's what we needed to do in the fourth quarter."
About your offensive numbers versus teams with a winning record…
"I think you asked me the question right after the game about winning records and all that, 21 points or something, but at the same time I think everybody we've played with a winning record but one is in the Top 25. We have played against some of the best defenses. But every game is different. You've got to score more points to win the game, and that's the bottom line. We didn't score enough Saturday to win the game, and we are going to keep striving to do that. I feel like we will."
What gives you confidence in the offense?
"Well you look at the fourth quarter -- that gives you something to build upon. At the same time, right now I think we are in the top half in our league offensively, so there are some things -- we've just got to put more points on the board. Like I said, we've had a couple opportunities and we didn't (capitalize). The other night, the week before, you know we talked about scoring 20 points and having 500 yards offense. We've got to put more points on the board. I'm encouraged that we are going to do that moving forward and we've been close. We've just got to do it."
The fourth quarter offense wasn't Malzahn's typical style...
"Whatever it takes to be successful and we were pretty successful in the fourth quarter. Every team and every offense is a little bit different. So, we will do whatever we have to do."
On playing with urgency and if it's possible to play that way for four quarters…
"Like I said, we had some success doing some things and there are some things that we can carry over. The bottom line is getting that first first down. It's as simple as that. You get the first first down and you get the momentum and playing fast. Traditionally that's when we are at our best. We were able to do that (in the fourth quarter). I think we were playing urgent the whole game; it's just a matter of fact that we didn't have as many opportunities to get into a rhythm. At the same time, I think there's something to be said about (Georgia) getting worn down, too."
Is running a two-minute offense for an entire game hard to do?
"I think the best way to answer that is that every game is different, and every situation is different."