Auburn football: What sort of offensive performance should we expect from Gus’ Tigers?
By Rob Maxwell
Auburn 52, Arkansas State 26
Offensive coordinator: Gus Malzahn
Auburn final record: 14-0
Points per game: 41.2
National ranking: 7th out of 120 teams
Ah, yes, 2010. So many great memories. Of course, it helps when you have the greatest offensive weapon possibly in college football history in the form of No. 2, Cam Newton.
But even in the opener, it was unclear if Auburn football coaches knew exactly what they had in Newton. He completed 9-of-14 passes for 186 yards with touchdown passes of 36, 48 and 38 yards. He also ran for 171 yards and two TDs, including a 71-yard run.
It was quite the Auburn football debut for Newton, but it came against Arkansas State. Auburn ran for 367 yards and totaled 608. But what stood out (besides Newton, of course) was the Tigers scoring touchdowns on five of their seven first-half possessions. Jumping out to a 35-16 lead was just what fans wanted.
Auburn spent the next couple of weeks –tight wins against Mississippi State and Clemson — fine-tuning things and by midseason this was Malzahn’s best offense he’s coached at Auburn.