Rebel defense bracing for revitalized Auburn
‘Eye-candy’ offense presents a challenge
OXFORD - To be fair, Auburn faced Clemson and Texas A&M in two of its first three games this season, but its offense had a hard time getting anything going against either team.
The Tigers started 1-2 but have righted the ship offensively during their four-game win streak.
Ole Miss will have the tough chore of attempting to stop Auburn and its rugged ground game when the two teams meet Saturday (6:15 p.m., SEC Network) at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
Tigers coach Gus Malzahn took a step back after the 1-2 start and handed offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee play-calling responsibilities. Auburn (5-2, 3-1 SEC) has scored 38 points or more in three of the four games.
The latest effort was an eyepopping 543-yard rushing performance — a school record — against Arkansas in a 56-3 domination.
“I think it’s just them getting back to who Gus has always been,” Rebels coach Hugh Freeze said. “Gus taught Rhett, and Rhett is doing a phenomenal job calling the game now. They really remind me of the Tre Mason days. They’re just so committed to what they do and who they are.”
Filling Mason’s role is 6-foot, 240-pound running back Kamryn Pettway, who has rushed for 169 and 192 yards, respectively, in the past two games. Sophomore Kerryon Johnson, who has rushed for 538 yards, should be back this week after dealing with an ankle injury.
Both backs average more than 5 yards per carry. And Ole Miss’ struggles against the run have been well documented, but they were highlighted against LSU when Leonard Fournette set a school record with 284 yards on 16 carries against the Rebels (3-4, 1-3).
Defensive coordinator Dave Wommack knows about the problems the Tigers’ scheme can present.
“It’s difficult on the linebackers because there’s a lot of moving parts — there’s a lot of (what) we call ‘eye candy,’ ” Wommack said. “Where they’re flashing this guy across. They try to keep you from getting a key on any one person — whether it’s a back, a fullback, a receiver — and they do a great job of outnumbering you on one side or the other by moving those people quickly across the formation.”
Auburn quarterback Sean White seems to have found his groove within the system, too. After rotating quarterbacks early this season, the Tigers finally settled on White as the starter.
White has already thrown the same number of passes (143) he attempted in 2015, but his completion percentage is better by 13 percent, he’s thrown six more touchdowns and two less interceptions, and his quarterback rating has improved by 33 points.
He’s not great at running the ball, but he has been better in that regard. He has 12 more carries — 42 total — this season and has rushed for 113 yards compared to just 35 last season.
“Obviously, his confidence level is up,” Wommack said. “I think he does a great job of managing. He reminds me of one of those old option-type quarterbacks who run the triple option and is just a feisty kind of guy. And I think he’s improved his passing, too.”
If Ole Miss’ defense doesn’t improve from its recent outings, the combination of an improved White and a surging running game could add up to make it a long game for the Rebels.