Malzahn respectful of Chavis
FAYETTEVILLE — Auburn managed 225 total yards in its 34-3 victory over the University of Arkansas last season in Auburn, Ala.
That is not an anomaly when Auburn Coach Gus Malzahn pits his hurry-up, no-huddle offense against a defense coordinated by John Chavis. The pair will match wits for the 10th time at 11 a.m. Saturday at Reynolds Razorback Stadium when the No. 11 Tigers face Arkansas.
The Tigers’ 225 total yards marked the seventh-lowest output for a Malzahn offense in his 13-plus years as a college coordinator and head coach.
“They got after us,” Malzahn said Wednesday. “Stuffed our run. Did a very good job of eliminating the big play. They kept things in front of them.”
That has happened with some frequency in ChavisMalzahn matchups.
Defenses coordinated by Chavis have accounted for four of the 11 worst offensive showings by Malzahn teams, based on research by 247Sports.com’s Brandon Marcello.
Arkansas outrushed the Tigers 149-91 and outpassed them 141-134 for a total offense advantage of 290225.
“We played our hearts out,” Arkansas cornerback Jarques McClellion said. “That’s all I really think we just did.”
Auburn scored touchdowns after a 48yard punt return to the Arkansas 27, after an 11-yard blocked punt return to the Arkansas 9 and on Noah Igbinoghene’s 96-yard kickoff return. The Tigers also got a field goal after a 40-yard fumble return to the Arkansas 2.
Auburn put together its most impressive drive in the fourth quarter, an eight-play, 72-yard march that ended on JaTarvious Whitlow’s 15-yard touchdown run with 8:18 remaining.
“One of the things we did a really good job of was limiting the big plays,” Arkansas Coach Chad Morris said. “And that really stood out after watching the film. The second thing is we tackled well. We had a great plan of getting them off the field on third down.”
Malzahn expressed his respect for Chavis this week.
“He’s proven over the course of time that he’s one of the best,” Malzahn said. “He does what he does, but he always has a wrinkle or two and puts his guys in really good positions to be successful.”
Chavis said the Tigers have had time to re-examine all the things “they’ve hurt you with before” during an open date.
“They’ve got some talent, they’ve got some speed, a couple of the fastest guys in the nation,” Chavis said, referencing receivers Anthony Schwartz and Eli Stove. “You’re going to see a bunch of deep balls and you’re going to see speed sweeps, reverses, going to see throwbacks, so you’ve got to prepare for almost everything.”
Arkansas safety Joe Foucha said eye discipline will play a big role for the Razorbacks as Auburn runs all kind of motions, formation adjustments and sweeping action.
“I know they’re going to throw the ball a lot,” Foucha said. “Everyone knows that. So, not letting the ball get thrown over our heads is going to be one of the biggest things when we play Auburn.”