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Auburn Football: Offense Grows, Defense Makes Stand in Week 4

By Shea Brennaman

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 21: Anthony Schwartz #5 of the Auburn Tigers rushes past Demani Richardson #26 of the Texas A&M Aggies and Myles Jones #10 for a 57 yard touchdown during the first quarter at Kyle Field on September 21, 2019 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 21: Anthony Schwartz #5 of the Auburn Tigers rushes past Demani Richardson #26 of the Texas A&M Aggies and Myles Jones #10 for a 57 yard touchdown during the first quarter at Kyle Field on September 21, 2019 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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Auburn’s offense appeared rejuvenated as the defense locked in the win for the Tigers against Texas A&M on Saturday. The Tigers defeated the Aggies 28-20.

Of Texas A&M’s 391 total yards, 335 of them were passing. The biggest highlight of this stat is that the Tigers’ defense held Texas A&M to just 56 rushing yards. Derrick Brown had himself an NFL game leading the Tigers with three tackles for a loss and two sacks.

Go ahead and give Derrick Brown ALL of the awards.

Gaining an edge on the pass rush as well as lining up correctly will be something Kevin Steele and Auburn’s defense will be focusing on heading into week five. The Tigers were plagued with offsides calls that served as fuel for some long Aggie drives.

On the other side of the ball Bo Nix proved to be effective in his first SEC road test as a true freshman. At times he was a little bit jumpy but that should go away with experience. Malzahn had no problem unloading the playbook against the Aggies and displayed all the weapons at the offense’s disposal. CBS announcers Aaron Murray (gross) and Rick Neuheisel referred to Auburn’s offensive playmakers as “eye candy” and Malzahn’s plays as “exotic.”

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 21: John Samuel Shenker #47 of the Auburn Tigers catches a six yard pass for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field on September 21, 2019 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 21: John Samuel Shenker #47 of the Auburn Tigers catches a six yard pass for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field on September 21, 2019 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Weird, but fitting. Malzahn’s play calling was red hot at a time we needed it the most. We saw Bo Nix amass for 100 total yards and the run game itself picked up nearly 200 yards. Auburn wide receivers Anthony Schwartz and Seth Williams both scored touchdowns and Malzahn ran a Joey Gatewood package in the red zone where Gatewood threw a six yard pass to tight end John Samuel Shenker. Who even knew Auburn had a tight end!? This isn’t a position that’s been highlighted since the departure of CJ Uzomah.

The play of the game easily came when Anthony Schwartz proved he’s the fastest player in college football.

*CHECK OUT THE BLOCK BY BO NIX*

https://twitter.com/thecheckdown/status/1175505326801506304?s=20

The Tigers are trending upward right now. After their victory over Texas A&M they moved up one spot to number seven. The Tigers will host Mississippi State this weekend and are currently a double digit favorite.

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