AUBURN, Ala. – Seeing Bo Nix produce 381 yards of total offense and four touchdowns in Auburn's 48-11 win vs LSU, offensive coordinator Chad Morris tipped his cap to the Tigers sophomore quarterback.
"Watching him play his best football over the last few weeks has been impressive," Morris said.
Six games into his first season calling plays, Morris likes the progression of Auburn's offense.
"You've definitely seen us evolve, especially over the last three weeks," Morris said. "I think you've seen an offensive line that's starting to develop some chemistry that's allowed us to run the football effectively. We've seen Bo settle in to what we're asking him to do. I think it's all worked together."
Freshman running back Tank Bigsby ranks fifth in the SEC in rushing with 503 yards, averaging 5.6 yards per carry.
"We knew in fall camp he was going to be a really special back. He's explosive when he puts his foot in the ground, when he makes his decision," said Morris, crediting backfield mates Shaun Shivers and D.J. Williams for adding to Bigby's development by sharing the load. "He's extremely powerful. Usually something positive happens when the ball is in his hands."
A rushing attack that's produced four consecutive 200-yard games, a dual-threat quarterback, a trio of seasoned playmaking receivers and an offensive line that's growing game by game.
As Auburn prepares for the stretch run, the pieces have come together on offense.
"We have a really good idea of who we are and what we're good at," Morris said.Offensive coordinator Chad MorrisDEFENSE WITH KEVIN STEELE
As was the case in Auburn's blowout vs. LSU, stopping the run has consistently been the first priority for Auburn's defense, which held the Bengal Tigers to 32 rushing yards.
That won't be the case next Saturday at Mississippi State. Against the Bulldogs, there's no virtually run to stop.
"They've got receivers running all over," defensive coordinator Kevin Steele said. "You watch a tape and you only have nine runs in the whole tape, that tells you right there.
"It's a little different than calling a traditional SEC game. Puts a lot of pressure on your pass rush, pus a lot of pressure on your coverage. They've got five out a lot so it's a little bit different schematically in terms of preparation."
With an open date this week, Auburn prepared for upcoming games against Tennessee, Alabama and Texas A&M on Wednesday and Thursday before turning its full attention to Mississippi State.
"We're looking not only to get guys well and get guys fresher, we can go back to our base [concepts] and rep some of that, it helps the young guys a great deal," Steele said.
In five seasons on the Plains, Auburn's defense under Kevin Steele has been one of the SEC's best.
"Obtaining success is one thing," Steele said. "Sustaining it is another, and that's where the key is right now. Sustain that."
SPECIAL TEAMS WITH LARRY PORTER
When Anders Carlson saved a touchdown with a kickoff return tackle vs. LSU, special teams coordinator Larry Porter was one of the first to congratulate the Tigers' kicker.
"One thing we pride ourselves in is fundamentally making sure the team as a whole understands how to tackle," Porter said. "To see Anders be in a position that he's the last line of defense and makes a solid tackle was very rewarding for me as a coach. We gave him a lot of praise for that."
After handing playcallling responsibility to Morris, Auburn coach Gus Malzahn has spent more time this season assisting with special teams.
"Absolutely love it," Porter said. "With him being the head coach, that speaks volumes because [the players] know there's a real emphasis on special teams.
"He has a tremendous amount of experience with special teams and his knowledge, we welcome it all the time. At the end of the day, we want to put the best product on the field. Above all, we want to make sure our special teams is truly giving us an opportunity to win games.
"It's not like he hasn't been involved, he just has more time now. It's really been good and I think he's enjoying it and he's having fun, but I love it."Special teams coordinator Larry PorterJeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer
