Auburn football: Numbers you need to know entering Week 2 vs. Alabama State
By Rob Maxwell
Turnovers
The stat: 0
Consider that Auburn handed the ball off 22 times to a first-time starter at running back and another eight times to a redshirt freshman playing his first game. Four players on offense touched the ball for the first times in their careers. Yet, Auburn fumbled just once (Stidham) but didn’t lose.
Stidham, who threw just six interceptions last season, didn’t throw one in his 36 attempts against Washington. At the same time, the Huskies turned it over twice. Win the turnover battle and your chances of winning the game increase.
What it means: Last season Auburn committed 20 turnovers and had six games in which it didn’t turn it over a single time. In those six games, the Tigers went 4-2 (losses to LSU and Clemson).
Every team preaches ball protection. It was important for Auburn to get off on the right foot against a strong Washington team that creates turnovers. It’s something Auburn will have to emphasize all season as more first-timers get into the mix on offense.
On Saturday against Alabama A&M, it’s possible that Asa Martin will get his first college carries. Shaun Shivers, who ran once last week, should see more chances. Maybe Harold Joiner gets involved in the run (or pass) game, too. Then you have the receivers. Seth Williams caught his first two passes last week, but look for Anthony Schwartz, Shedrick Jackson and Matthew Hill to get involved.