Auburn’s offense had a simple problem against LSU, and it was one that wiped out everything else: the run game never got off the ground.
In a 38-17 loss on Saturday, the Tigers managed just 67 rushing yards, sacks included, after showing real life on the ground the week before against No. 1 Georgia. Byrum Brown was held to 21 rushing yards, and Auburn spent too much of the afternoon fighting uphill instead of staying ahead of the chains.
Offensive coordinator Joel Gordon said there were chances to hit bigger plays with Brown as a runner, but the execution fell short.
"We had a really good look, and it's one of those plays in the game where we execute better. That one probably turns into an explosive run," Gordon said.
Gordon also pointed to LSU’s front, crediting the Tigers’ defensive line for winning at the point of attack and getting off blocks.
Even with that setback, Auburn is still planning to lean on Brown’s legs. Gordon made it clear that there isn’t much choice in the matter, especially when the offense needs answers in the ground game.
Alex Golesh said Auburn has to do a better job turning modest gains into steady production, the kind that keeps the offense on schedule.
"We've got to find ways to creatively run the football," Golesh said.
The protection issues only made things worse. Auburn gave up seven sacks against LSU, and those losses dragged down the final rushing total even more. Still, Golesh said the problems in the run game went beyond the sacks.
Now the Tigers have Ole Miss next, and the task doesn’t get any easier. Gordon said the Rebels’ defensive front has both talent and experience, which means Auburn won’t have a soft landing spot for a reset.
The bright side for Auburn is that the offense has already shown what it can look like when the run game is working. The LSU loss was a reminder of how quickly everything can unravel when it isn’t.
If Auburn is going to have a shot at another upset on Saturday, the ground game has to be part of the answer.
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Auburn Walks Into A Huge SEC Test With Ole Miss Suddenly Shorthanded
Auburns trip to Oxford brings a notable SEC matchup back into view, with the Tigers and Ole Miss meeting for the first time in three years. The timing matters for both sides, too, because Auburn is trying to build on a win over Georgia after a loss to LSU, while Ole Miss is navigating a change in its backfield heading into a game that already carries plenty of weight.
Kewan Lacy will be unavailable for the Rebels after suffering a dislocated shoulder against Texas, leaving Ole Miss with a hole it has to fill against an Auburn defense that will be keyed on Trinidad Chambliss. The Rebels quarterback has piled up 1,926 passing yards this season, so even with the backfield shorthanded, Auburn still has to deal with the part of the Ole Miss offense that can tilt the game fastest. [Read more 🡒]
Auburn Could Be Getting A Needed O-Line Boost At The Right Time
Auburns offensive line might be getting some timely help as the season wears on, with head coach Alex Golesh saying sophomore Tai Buster could return to practice and play within a few weeks. Buster has been sidelined by a preseason injury, but he has stayed involved with the team during his recovery, keeping himself in the mix even while hes been unable to get back on the field.
For a line that always benefits from added depth, especially as the schedule tightens, Busters eventual return would give Auburn another option at a spot where bodies matter. He will miss the upcoming game against Ole Miss, but the possibility of getting him back later in the season gives the Tigers something worth watching beyond just the next matchup. [Read more 🡒]
Auburns International Signee Saga Ends With Bigger Questions For The Program
Mantas Rubstavicius will not suit up for Auburn basketball this season after voluntarily dismissing his eligibility lawsuit against the NCAA, ending one of the more unusual roster stories the program has dealt with in recent months. The international signee is now expected to pursue a basketball opportunity in Europe, and he thanked Auburns administration, coach and teammates as the path with the Tigers came to a close.
The bigger issue for Auburn, though, may be what happens around the decision rather than the decision itself. The school also confirmed that general manager Brian Kloman was fired, with reports indicating the move stemmed from a failure to disclose Rubstavicius prior college enrollment overseas, leaving the program to sort through how such a significant oversight occurred in the first place. [Read more 🡒]