Bo Nix, Team Auburn Beat Team Tigers 17-3 in 2021 Auburn Spring Game
Apr 17, 2021
Auburn quarterback Bo Nix (10) passes the ball during the A-Day spring NCAA college football game, Saturday, April 17, 2021, at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Julie Bennett)
Team Auburn defeated Team Tigers 17-3 during the school's spring game Saturday afternoon.
The program's first-team offense and defense comprised Team Auburn.
Starting quarterback Bo Nix finished 12-of-20 through the air for 112 yards and a touchdown, leading the team on three first-half scoring drives (the game was just 32 minutes long, with eight-minute quarters).
"I thought the quarterbacks made some good decisions," new head coach Bryan Harsin said afterward on the ESPN+ broadcast. "That's something you want to see. Good in the red zone."
Bryan Harsin said Auburn quarterback Bo Nix "made good decisions" today and did a good job of getting the team into the right plays and making checks when he needed to.
Auburn's defense looked ready for the season, with the first-team unit stifling the second-team offense and the second-team defenders holding their own against Nix and the first-team offense.
First-half A-Day observations: The defense is farther ahead than the offense, which is not surprising. Much more depth on that side of the ball. But the Bigsby/Shivers RB duo looks strong.
Bo Nix: 10-13, 89, yards TD. Have heard this is the year.
"They played fast; they got to the ball," Harsin noted. "We had some turnovers, which was good."
All eyes will be on Harsin and his incoming philosophy. The first-year Tigers head coach already showed a departure from the Gus Malzahn era, with more quarterback snaps under center and a greater emphasis on power football (there were even some three-tight end sets).
Bryan Harsin: "There's plenty of things we did well today... and some things we didn't and need to work on."
Auburn will have one more practice Monday to wrap up spring.
It's hard to truly gauge a team or its head coach in a spring game, with the regular season nearly five months away. But it's clear Auburn will have a new look on offense, with a greater emphasis on powering the ball between the tackles.
The defense should be solid. If Nix and the offense adjust to the new philosophy, Auburn could be a dangerous team yet again.
A new era of Auburn football is underway this spring. After playing the past eight seasons with Gus Malzahn as their head coach, the Tigers went in a different direction following ...
Bryan Harsin Hired as New Auburn HC After Gus Malzahn's Firing
Dec 22, 2020
FILE - In this Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019 file photo, Boise State coach Bryan Harsin watches his players warm up for the Las Vegas Bowl NCAA college football game against Washington at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas. No. 25 San Jose State will face perennial conference powerhouse Boise State in the Mountain West championship on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020 in Las Vegas. The game is usually played on the higher seed’s home field but this year it will be held at Sam Boyd Stadium. (AP Photo/Steve Marcus, File)
Auburn announced Tuesday it hired Bryan Harsin as its next football coach.
"I'm incredibly excited and humbled for the opportunity to be at a place like Auburn University. I knew it would take a special opportunity to get me out of Boise and Auburn is exactly that, the chance to compete at the highest level for one of the greatest programs in college football. I have a tremendous amount of respect for the coaches and players in the Southeastern Conference, but am ready to help build a foundation at Auburn where we can consistently compete for championships. I want our program to make Auburn proud both on and off the field with consistent excellence. I'm very grateful to Allen Greene and Dr. Gogue for this opportunity. Kes, our kids and I can't wait to meet the Auburn family and get to work! War Eagle!"
Harsin spent one year at Arkansas State before succeeding Chris Petersen as the coach at Boise State in 2014. The Broncos won the Fiesta Bowl in his first season and compiled a 69-19 record under his watch. They didn't reach the heights they enjoyed with Petersen, but they remained one of the top Group of Five schools.
Hiring Harsin isn't a bad outcome on its own, but the result can't be fully separated from how Auburn got here.
According to The Athletic'sStewart Mandel, Auburn paid $21.45 million to buy Malzahn out of his contract, yet it seemingly didn't have a plan for how to replace him.
AL.com'sJohn Talty and Matt Zenitz reported on Dec. 14 that defensive coordinator Kevin Steele was emerging as a top candidate. Firing Malzahn and promoting one of his top assistants would've been an odd move.
Then came the reports about who turned down the Tigers' advances. Billy Napier chose to stay at Louisiana amid interest from Auburn. According to Yahoo Sports' Pete Thamel, Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables also removed himself from the running. UAB head coach Bill Clark fell by the wayside, though Talty and Zenitz reported he didn't receive a firm offer.
The situation didn't reflect well on a program that one would expect to have a line of candidates out the door.
I like Bryan Harsin fine but it feels like Auburn just hired a lite version of Gus Malzahn after a process that cost $20 million
The Tigers clearly thought they were heading in the wrong direction under Malzahn after going 6-4 in the regular season.
Auburn won 12 games and reached the BCS National Championship Game in 2013, Malzahn's first season at the helm. Since then, the program has had only one 10-win campaign.
Winning a national title with Gene Chizik in 2010, finishing runner-up in 2013, and going 13-0 with Tommy Tuberville in 2003 have all collectively raised the bar for Auburn. Seeing Nick Saban turn Alabama into a powerhouse has only heaped more pressure upon whoever is in charge of the Tigers.
Because of that, it seems fair to wonder how good this job is and whether Harsin can deliver the kind of consistent results that will satisfy the fans.
Auburn is a better job (especially in a post-Saban world, whenever that happens) but is there a dramatic difference? I'm not sure. https://t.co/ITE1pGi2l6
current and former players are posting about how they’re unhappy with what’s going on, a lot of fans seem to be on the edge of a meltdown or downright apathy, the program’s reputation is taking hits
Auburn needs the coaching search equivalent of a Nick Marshall throw on 4th & 18
For as long as Saban is in Tuscaloosa, Auburn enters almost every year as the second-best team, at best, in its own state and division. Mandel outlined the kind of scrutiny Harsin will be facing in his new job:
"Auburn is a tough job, no question. You will face Alabama, LSU and Georgia every year, and they, not your own program's history, will become your measuring stick. You will almost never not be on the hot seat, though you'll be granted a 12-month reprieve by beating Alabama. Your boss is not really your boss, because ultimately you serve at the whim of a small group of over-involved boosters who don't see any reason why you shouldn't be able to beat Alabama every year. Also, there's a prominent nationally syndicated radio show in which fans will call in almost every day, year-round, year after year after year, to debate whether you're really the right guy for the job."
However, Mandel also went on to explain why taking this challenge was a no-brainer.
Auburn is one of the select few programs that can realistically capture a national championship with the infrastructure it has in place. Because of the sums of money it requires, building a team to that level is extremely difficult. There's a glass ceiling for a lot of Power Five schools across the country.
Plans are underway to construct a new football complex at Auburn, and the amount of money spent to oust Malzahn indicates the booster base is willing to spend what it takes.
But you can hire the best coaches and build the best facilities, and it may not amount to much without the requisite talent.
Here's where the Tigers finished in 247Sports' composite team rankings with Malzahn:
Malzahn was able to build top-10 recruiting classes on an almost annual basis, but that was dulled somewhat by the fact that he was staring up at one or more of Alabama, Georgia and LSU.
Although Auburn is situated in fertile recruiting ground, it isn't as if the Tigers routinely get their pick of the best prep stars from the Southeast.
Much like how LSU achieved greater success with Ed Orgeron after having plateaued with Les Miles, Harsin may take Auburn to new heights.
Or perhaps the same issues that hamstrung Malzahn will hinder his successor, thus ensuring the team is unable to make the improvement it clearly covets.
Oregon's Mario Cristobal Says He Hasn't Been Contacted About Auburn's HC Vacancy
Dec 15, 2020
Oregon coach Mario Cristobal walks along the sideline during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against Washington State in Pullman, Wash., Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
Oregon head football coach Mario Cristobal said Monday that Auburn hasn't directly contacted him about its head coaching vacancy.
"We seem to get a lot of rumors at this time of the year," Cristobal told reporters. "This is what I can say: I can say that I haven't been contacted, but I don't know if my agent's been contacted, and I talk to him every single day."
Cristobal is one of several coaches who has been linked to Auburn since it fired Gus Malzahn on Sunday.
Liberty head coach Hugh Freeze, Louisiana head coach Billy Napier, UAB head coach Bill Clark, Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin, Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy, Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian and former Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn are among the other outside names being speculated upon.
That said, interim coach Kevin Steele, who's served as the Tigers' defensive coordinator since 2016, has emerged as the early favorite to fill the roll full time, per John Talty and Matt Zenitz of AL.com.
Although Cristobal didn't confirm any contact with Auburn as of Monday, he did note talks about a Ducks contract extension are ongoing:
"I trust Phil Knight, I trust Rob Mullens, I trust our administration, and I trust the people here at Oregon. As you guys know, we've been working on something when the pandemic first hit, then things kind of stalled, and things have picked back up. So, I've always been transparent with every single one of you, and I will continue to do that, so hopefully the next couple of days we'll have some more stuff to talk about as it relates to that. So, hopefully I can explain to you exactly where things are with me."
Cristobal has guided Oregon to a 24-9 record across three-plus seasons. The Ducks went 12-2 during the 2019 season, including a Rose Bowl win over Wisconsin.
They finished second in the Pac-12 North this year but will still appear in the conference title game against USC on Friday night after Washington had to withdraw because of COVID-19 concerns.
Report: Auburn DC Kevin Steele 'Serious Candidate' to Replace Gus Malzahn as HC
Dec 14, 2020
Auburn defensive coordinator Kevin Steele looks on during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Alabama, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Auburn may be looking internally to replace Gus Malzahn.
The Tigers announced Sunday they were firing Malzahn after a 6-4 regular season.
AL.com's John Talty and Matt Zenitz reported Monday that defensive coordinator Kevin Steele "has emerged as a serious candidate" and that "multiple sources even believe that Steele could be the leading candidate now to replace [Malzahn]."
Talty and Zenitz also reported Liberty head coach Hugh Freeze, who has experience in the SEC from his five years at Ole Miss, may not be under serious consideration due to the belief he'd prefer the Tennessee job should Jeremy Pruitt get the ax.
The Athletic'sStewart Mandelreported Auburn is staring at a $21.45 million buyout by firing Malzahn. Under any circumstances, that's a lot of money to pay a coach to go away, and the total is even more eye-catching amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
That raises the obvious question as to why the school would trigger such a large buyout to turn around and promote a top assistant from the outgoing coach's staff.
Again, if Auburn hires Kevin Steele, they’re basically saying “we’re just punting on trying to win a championship until Nick Saban retires.”
If that’s the case, they should have just kept Gus Malzahn.
LSU stuck with Ed Orgeron after firing Les Miles in 2016, a move was met with alevel of skepticismat the time but ultimately proved correct as Orgeron guided the program to a national title in 2020.
Going with Steele would also allow Auburn to avoid having to buy another head coach out of his current contract, so university administrators would be saving money in that regard.
Still, Steele's head-coaching experience is limited to a four-year stretch at Baylor when the Bears compiled a 9-36 record. There isn't much about his resume—defensive coordinator gigs at Alabama, Clemson and LSU—that leads you to believe he'd be a significant upgrade over Malzahn.
Auburn hasn't had time to conduct any sort of coaching search, either. Perhaps the Tigers made informal contact with possible candidates, but turning their focus toward Steele now would mean eliminating any other options on the table.
Gus Malzahn Fired as Auburn Football Coach, Has $21.45M Contract Buyout
Dec 13, 2020
Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn watches during the second half of an NCAA college football game against LSU on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
The Auburn Tigers announced the firing of head football coach Gus Malzahn on Sunday.
ESPN's Tom VanHaaren shared the team's statement:
Auburn just announced it has fired head coach Gus Malzahn.
According to Brett McMurphy of Stadium, defensive coordinator Kevin Steele will serve as the interim head coach. Malzahn will receive a $21.45 million buyout, per ESPN's Field Yates.
That massive buyout made the timing of the decision questionable:
Gus Malzahn's buyout is *$21.45 million.*
SEC boosters not gonna let a little ol pandemic get in the way of firing a 6-4 coach.
As for potential replacements, ESPN's Adam Rittenberg and Yahoo Sports' Pete Thamel ran through a few candidates:
Also think #Auburn's search will be centered on Hugh Freeze. While there are some other good candidates -- Billy Napier, Steve Sarkisian -- have to think this will be Freeze's opportunity to return to the SEC.
Auburn is open. Names to watch: Mario Cristobal, Hugh Freeze, Dan Quinn, Billy Napier, Scott Satterfield, Brent Venables, Tony Elliott, Bill O’Brien and Mike Gundy. https://t.co/21b9aBU6cQ
Malzahn, 55, spent the last eight seasons as Auburn's head coach, leading the Tigers to a 68-35 record, six bowl games and a trip to the BCS National Championship Game in the 2013 season. The Tigers have failed to win an SEC title since 2013, however, and tied for the SEC West division title in 2017. They lost to Georgia that season in the SEC Championship Game.
Another issue for Auburn in the Malzahn era is that it has struggled against the SEC's top teams, going a combined 8-17 against Alabama, Georgia and LSU. The Tigers also went 3-5 in the crucial Iron Bowl matchups against archrival Alabama.
So a change is coming, and a truly high-profile job opening has emerged in the SEC. It will be a big hiring for the Tigers as they chase Alabama and LSU.
Auburn Pauses Football Workouts After 9 Players Test Positive for COVID-19
Nov 10, 2020
Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn watches during the second half of an NCAA college football game against LSU on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Auburn head coach Gus Malzahnconfirmed to reporters the program has paused practices after nine football players and three staff members tested positive for COVID-19.
On Monday, the Tigers postponed Saturday's game against Mississippi State because of positive tests within the Bulldogs' program. Malzahn said those within Auburn raised concerns about whether the team would have had enough players available to play—with individuals out because of both positive tests and contact tracing protocols—prior to the postponement.
BREAKING: #Auburn coach Gus Malzahn says they have paused team activities after 9 players, 3 staff members tested positive for #COVID19
Auburn and Mississippi State aren't the only SEC teams dealing with the effects of the pandemic.
A tough week in the SEC. Sam Pittman contracts the virus and will not coach Saturday. Auburn, Texas A&M and Mississippi State pause team activities. Auburn-MSU game is postponed. Alabama-LSU is in jeopardy due to positive tests and contact tracing at LSU.
"We're going to keep moving forward," commissioner Greg Sankey said Monday, per ESPN's Alex Scarborough. "We don't get to just throw up our hands and not stop trying, but we'll have to come together depending on how much disruption occurs and we'll have to react to it. It's hard to predict. It's one of the lessons from the last few months."
Under the SEC'sCOVID-19 policy, teams must have at least 53 scholarship players available in order to play.
Players who test positivemust isolatefor at least 10 days. For symptomatic carriers, the isolation period begins from the onset of symptoms. Those deemed to be high risk (spending more than 15 minutes within six feet of somebody suspected to have COVID-19) have to quarantine for 14 days.
The SEC is aiming to have Auburn and Mississippi State play Dec. 12, so the Tigers won't be back in action until Nov. 21 against Tennessee.
No. 15 Auburn Upset by Unranked South Carolina as Bo Nix Throws 3 Interceptions
Oct 17, 2020
Auburn quarterback Bo Nix throws a pass against Arkansas during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
The unranked South Carolina Gamecocks upset the No. 15 Auburn Tigers 30-22 at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina, on Saturday.
According to Josh Kendall of The Athletic, it marked South Carolina's first win over Auburn in 87 years:
Final: South Carolina 30, Auburn 22. Gamecocks (2-2) get first win over Auburn since 1933, second overall. Will Muschamp improves to 3-15 against ranked teams at South Carolina.
Auburn twice led by nine points in the game, but South Carolina went on a 16-0 run in the third and fourth quarters to secure the victory.
Sophomore quarterback Bo Nix struggled mightily in defeat for the Tigers, as he went 24-of-47 for 272 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions.
South Carolina improved to 2-2 on the season with the upset victory, while Auburn fell to 2-2 after narrowly escaping last week's game with a 30-28 win over Arkansas.
Auburn rushed for an impressive 209 yards on 36 carries, but that performance was spoiled by the offense's inability to protect the ball. The Tigers had three turnovers and only forced one, which was the difference in the game.
Also, Auburn committed nine penalties for 89 yards, compared to just five penalties for 39 yards by the Gamecocks.
The Tigers' offensive struggles boiled over into frustration, as Nix and No. 1 wide receiver Seth Williams got into a heated argument on the sidelines:
Some frustration on Auburn's sidelines after that last offensive possession. Chad Morris trying to be the mediator between Bo Nix and Seth Williams.pic.twitter.com/ve1NWgRoVv
Even though South Carolina lost the yards battle 481-297 and had fewer first downs (27-20), the fact that it largely avoided mistakes allowed it to pull off the upset.
Running back Kevin Harris was the offensive star for the Gamecocks, as he rushed for 83 yards and two touchdowns, while quarterback Collin Hill threw for 144 yards, one touchdown and one interception, and rushed for another score.
South Carolina is off to a somewhat promising start after going just 4-8 in 2019, which marked only the program's second losing season since 2003.
Meanwhile, the Tigers are playing .500 football, which is a mark they haven't finished at or below since going 3-9 in 2012.
Auburn will attempt to get back on track next week when it travels to face Ole Miss, while South Carolina will look to make it three straight wins when it faces the defending national champion LSU Tigers on the road.
Bo Nix Throws 3 TDs as No. 8 Auburn Defeats No. 23 Kentucky in Opener
Sep 26, 2020
Auburn quarterback Bo Nix warms up before the start of an NCAA college football game against Kentucky on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020 in Auburn, Alabama. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
SEC football finally returned Saturday, and it brought a defensive slugfest as the No. 8 Auburn Tigers beat the No. 23 Kentucky Wildcats 29-13 at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama.
The Auburn offense didn't move the ball with much consistency, but its defense made two fourth-down stops and forced three turnovers, including a fumble in the fourth quarter that allowed the Tigers to extend a two-point lead to nine.
Auburn also had a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown at the end of the first half get called back because of targeting.
Quarterback Bo Nix and wide receiver Seth Williams connected for two touchdowns as well.
Notable Stats
Bo Nix, QB, AUB: 16/27 for 233 YDS, 3 TD, 0 INT; 5 CAR for 34 YDS
Terry Wilson, QB, KEN: 24/37 for 239 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT; 13 CAR for 42 YDS
Seth Williams, WR, AUB: 6 REC for 112 YDS and 2 TD
Eli Stove, WR, AUB: 4 REC for 55 YDS and 1 TD
Josh Ali, WR, KEN: 9 REC for 98 YDS
Kavosiey Smoke, RB, KEN: 7 CAR for 62 YDS and 1 TD; 2 REC for 10 YDS
Nix Overcomes Slow Start, Throws 3 TDs in 2nd Half
The Auburn offense was listless in the first half save for a seven-play, 70-yard drive capped with a one-yard touchdown run by D.J. Williams followed by a two-point conversion that led to an 8-7 lead.
Nix had just 90 passing yards, and, as pointed out by Mike Bratton of Saturday Down South, his biggest highlights were pooch punts:
Nix and Co. finally awoke from their slumber in the second half. It was not surprising Nix got the Tigers offense back on track by looking in Seth Williams' direction.
The duo started a drive with a 25-yard connection, and with 5:42 remaining in the third quarter, Nix threw a high pass into the end zone that Williams snatched for an 11-yard touchdown:
Kentucky cut the deficit to 15-13 at the end of the third quarter with Terry Wilson's eight-yard pass to Akeem Hayes, but Nix cashed in on two huge defensive plays.
After a fumble recovery, he found Seth Williams in the end zone again for a four-yard score on 3rd-and-goal. Then, two plays after Kentucky turned it over on downs with an unsuccessful fake punt, Nix threw a 21-yard scoring pass to Eli Stove.
Justin Ferguson of the Auburn Observer noted Nix performed better Saturday than he did in almost any game as a freshman:
Bo Nix: 9.41 yards per attempt, 62.5% completion percentage, 3 TD.
Only games of his that were better last year? Kent State, Mississippi State and Arkansas.
Statement game from the sophomore against a strong UK defense.
It was far from an ideal start, but the fact that Nix bounced back in the second half against a strong defense bodes well for him and the Tigers in the competitive SEC.
If Nix can turn in similar performances and the defense continues to shine, Auburn may have a fighting chance to reach the College Football Playoff.
Wilson Looks Rusty in 1st Game in Over a Year
Wilson, Kentucky's senior quarterback, appeared in a game for the first time in more than a year.
He missed all but two games last season with a knee injury, and it was clear he was rusty.
He completed three straight passes on an 11-play, 93-yard drive that gave Kentucky a 7-0 in the first quarter—Kavosiey Smoke capped it with a 35-yard scoring jaunt—but that was essentially the high point for the Wildcats.
With Kentucky facing 3rd-and-goal at the 1-yard line and on the verge of a 14-8 lead at the end of the first half, Wilson was intercepted in the end zone. Two plays prior, Chris Rodriguez Jr. had seemingly crossed the goal line for a touchdown, but the officials ruled he had been stopped short, and the call stood upon a replay review.
He had a chance to tie the game late in the third after the touchdown pass to Hayes, but Kyle Tucker of The Athletic pointed out Wilson inexplicably threw the ball away on the two-point conversion attempt:
Terry Wilson has done some really good things and some very rusty things. Like throwing it away on a 2-point conversion.
Wilson also rushed for only 42 yards on 13 carries, an aspect that will be worth monitoring since his legs are a big part of his effectiveness.
Perhaps Wilson will get his feet under him as he takes more snaps.
What's Next?
Auburn will face one of its toughest challenges of the season next week when it visits the No. 4-ranked Georgia Bulldogs.
Meanwhile, Kentucky will look to bounce back when it hosts the Lane Kiffin-coached Ole Miss Rebels.
Video: Auburn, Kentucky TDs Negated by Controversial Officiating, Replay Reviews
Sep 26, 2020
Kentucky quarterback Terry Wilson (3) throws a pass against Auburn during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020 in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Fans of bad officiating had to be overjoyed by what happened during a strange sequence in Saturday's game between Kentucky and Auburn at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
BR Video
Late in the second quarter, Wildcats running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. clearly broke the plane and should have been awarded a touchdown.
The officials ruled he was stopped short and announced the call stood after a replay review.
Two plays later, Roger McCreary picked off Terry Wilson in the end zone and appeared to go 100 yards for an Auburn touchdown. That score was called back after Derick Hall was called for targeting during the return.
Hall was also ejected from the game.
Auburn went into the locker room with an 8-7 lead as a result of the controversial no-touchdown call. The Tigers would go on to win the game 29-13 over their SEC rivals.
