BERKELEY, Calif. – Scheduled to start Saturday at 3:35 p.m. PT, four hours prior to the latest kickoff in Auburn football history, the last team meeting before departing for California Memorial Stadium is short and sweet.
With music playing loudly in the second-floor conference room at the San Mateo Marriott, players in high spirits file in, filling the front rows first, a graphic displaying the word “Watchmen” projects on the video screen, emphasizing one of Auburn’s themes for 2023.
Somehow, Eugene Asante’s familiar “Let’s work!” exhortation rises above the noise level.
Any concerns about the cross-country trip and late kickoff sapping the team’s energy would be quickly dispelled by observing this setting.
At 3:31 p.m., a few players are dancing, many are singing.
A minute later, head coach Hugh Freeze enters, the music quiets.
His remarks are enthusiastic and brief, lasting only seconds.
“You’re going to have fight ‘em every play. Every play,” says Freeze, who shared with reporters earlier in the week his belief that too many pregame meetings can be counterproductive. “Keep believing, keep believing, keep believing!”
Next, a two-minute video plays, featuring highlights from Auburn’s season-opening win vs. Massachusetts. Players celebrate as touchdowns and takeaways appear on the screen, their shouts drowning out Andy Burcham’s radio calls.
As the video ends, Auburn transitions instantly into its special teams clap session, in which each 11-member unit quickly stands, accounts for substitutions, claps thrice and recites its motto.
“To the crib!” exclaims the kick return team. “Quick six!” for punt return, the display of discipline and unity producing a basic training roll call vibe.
“Family on three: one, two, three: Family!”
Lasting fewer than four minutes, the meeting ends when it was scheduled to begin, at 3:35.
Preparation continues, as players file into the hallway for more walkthroughs, going over how they will react vs. various looks depending on the line of scrimmage and hash mark.