Auburn football: What sort of offensive performance should we expect from Gus’ Tigers?

Auburn 42, Utah State 38

Offensive coordinator: Gus Malzahn
Auburn final record: 8-5
Points per game: 25.7
National ranking: 70th out of 120 teams

Unlike most of Malzahn’s offenses, this one struggled running the football in the opener. The Tigers managed a measly 78 yards on 30 carries. For the game, Auburn had 364 total yards, thanks to 286 passing yards, including 261 from Barrett Trotter.

But one season after winning the BCS national championship, fighting for its life at home in Week 1 against Utah State was not where anyone wanted to see the Auburn football program. But that’s where it was, rallying from down 38-28 with 3:38 to play in the game.

First, Trotter hit Philip Lutzenkirchen for a 15-yard TD pass with 2:07 left in the game to cut the lead to 38-35. Then Chandler Brooks executed the perfect onsides kick and Auburn recovered. Trotter completed three of four passes and Onterio McCalebb ran for 26 yards before Michael Dyer punched it in from the 1 with 30 seconds left in the game.

Auburn put together some solid scoring drives, but had five possessions that went between nine and minus-8 yards.