AUBURN, Ala. – With two first-time starters in the lineup, Auburn's offensive line blocked for five rushing touchdowns and helped generate nearly 500 yards of total offense in the Tigers' season-opening 42-16 victory vs. Mercer.
Tate Johnson started at center and Kameron Stutts at right guard when Auburn rushed for 285 yards and passed for 212, joining left tackle Kilian Zierer, left guard Brandon Council and right tackle Austin Troxell.
Johnson, a junior from LaGrange, Georgia, handled the additional responsibilities that come with playing center.
"Playing football wasn't the biggest challenge. I've played football my whole life," Johnson said. "Playing center you have to operate the whole offense, you're the quarterback of the offensive line. Other guys depend on you to make the calls and to direct where everyone is going. That was the biggest challenge, but I feel like I handled it well and I feel like the coaches prepared me for that."
Johnson earned his promotion following the retirement of four-year starter Nick Brahms, who stepped away from playing because of injuries but remains with the team, acquiring the nickname of "Coach Brahms."
"I thought Tate did really well for his first start," Brahms said. "Tate is going to be just fine. He's a hard worker. He takes a lot of pride in it."
Johnson can turn to offensive line coach Will Friend, analysts Joe Bernardi and Kendall Simmons, a former Auburn and NFL standout, and graduate assistant Steve Wallace Jr. in addition to Brahms.
"'Coach Brahms' helps out with all the little things," Johnson said. "Nick has four years of starting experience. When he sees something he can tell me that will help me, and when I come off to the sideline, he'll tap me and give me a little tidbit about technique or calling out the defense. He has a ton of experience and he does a great job of pouring all that into me."
Senior right guard Kameron Stutts made his first Auburn start
Stutts, a senior from Killen, Alabama, rotated series at right guard with O-line veteran Keiondre Jones.
"I was hyped," Stutts said. "I tried to hold it in. I wasn't trying to get too excited."
Auburn averaged 7 yards per carry, netting 285 yards on 41 attempts, with Jarquez Hunter scoring three touchdowns and Tank Bigsby adding two.
"The run game did pretty well so we were doing something right," Stutts said. "We've still got some work to do. Always getting better."
Returning from foot surgery, Brandon Council was Auburn's O-lineman of the week
Returning from offseason foot surgery, Council earned O-lineman of the week honors from Auburn coach Bryan Harsin.
"It meant a lot," Council said. "I want to do what's best for the team. I'm going to work hard just like my guys around me work hard. I think the whole O-line deserves it because we played a heck of a game."
With Johnson as its only non-senior starter, Auburn's offensive line looks to continue developing Saturday when the Tigers host San Jose State at 6:30 p.m. CT at Jordan-Hare Stadium on ESPNU.
"Teams really make the biggest improvements from week one to week two," Johnson said. "I felt like we did a lot of good things on Saturday but there are a lot of things we can improve on: X's and O's, assignments, playing physical and playing fast, and living up to the standard that the offensive line wants to live by.
"We practice like that every day. I feel like that will get a lot better as the season goes on."
Keiondre Jones (No. 58) rotated with Stutts at right guard
"It was surreal."
— Jeff Shearer (@jeff_shearer) September 8, 2022
Senior OL @_BigHomieKam earned his first @AuburnFootball start Saturday vs. Mercer.#WarEagle pic.twitter.com/rA2RSOoP7N
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer