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Auburn Football: Grading the Tigers 28-20 loss to Penn State

By Zach McKinnell

Auburn football fans are not happy the Penn State game Week 3 won't be at night Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Auburn football fans are not happy the Penn State game Week 3 won't be at night Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /
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Auburn football tight end John Samuel Shenker (47) runs the ball after a catch at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. Auburn Tigers leads Alabama State Hornets 20-0 at halftime.
Auburn football tight end John Samuel Shenker (47) runs the ball after a catch at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. Auburn Tigers leads Alabama State Hornets 20-0 at halftime. /

Tight Ends: A

The Tigers have promised to use TEs in their offensive scheme for years now, but this year has finally seen the promise come to fruition. John Samuel Shenker led the Tigers with five receptions for 62 yards and at times seemed to be the only viable option for Nix down the field.

The tight ends also did an outstanding job in the run-blocking aspect of the game against Penn State, in which Luke Deal was the highest-graded run blocker for the Tigers this weekend. Harsin expects a lot from his TEs in this offense and Deal and Shenker have answered the calling early this season for the Tigers.

Offensive Line: C+

The offensive line did not allow a sack this weekend, which is a major feat considering how this unit has played away from Jordan-Hare over the past few seasons. The only thing missing for this unit is consistency because they absolutely imposed their will on Penn State on their 15-play, 75-yard drive in the 3rd quarter; but there were times where the Penn State defensive line controlled the line of scrimmage in this game.

The highest grade for an Auburn offensive lineman this weekend was Brandon Council with a 61.4 PFF blocking grade and the average for the entire OL was only 55.0, which has to improve against elite talent coming up on the schedule.

Defensive Line: C-

The Tigers’ defensive line failed to generate any pressure on Sean Clifford this weekend and that might be the most concerning aspect of this weekend’s game. Clifford was not sacked, only hit three total times, and the Tigers only generated pressure on eight plays the entire game.

The reason this grade is not lower is due to the outstanding performance in the rushing game, in which the Tigers only allowed 84 rushing yards and held Penn State to an average of 2.5 yards per attempt this weekend.

Marquis Burks was an absolute force on the inside of this defensive line and had one of the highest grades for a defensive lineman for this weekend with a 95.1 by Pro Football Focus. If this defensive line can figure out this pass rush, then Auburn football could have one of the best defensive lines in the country.

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