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Impactful plays and takeaways from Auburn’s 39-33 OT loss at Mississippi State Published: Nov. 06, 2022, 2:46 p.m. 5-7 minutes Auburn was a few plays away from overcoming a 24-3 deficit during Saturday’s 39-33 overtime loss against Mississippi State at Davis Wade Stadium. Tank Bigsby’s 41-yard fourth-quarter touchdown gave Auburn its first lead of the game. Bigsby’s score emphatically punctuated a 22-point run of unanswered points by the Tigers. Jarquez Hunter scored a touchdown with less than 90 seconds left, giving Auburn a 33-30 lead. The Tigers could’ve folded after Lideatrick Griffin housed an Anders Carlson kickoff for 92 yards with 8:12 remaining in the first half. “But man, them kids, they didn’t blink. They did not blink. Like, ‘Coach, we got you. Nobody’s quitting. We’re going to continue to serve,” Williams said. “We’re going to continue to bleed. We’re going to continue to fight. We’re going to continue to fight on offense, man.’” Read More Auburn Football: Auburn players share where they were, how they found out about Bryan Harsin’s firing Even in defeat, Auburn didn’t blink in Cadillac Williams “special night” Goodman: Excruciating theater on a Saturday in the South Carlson’s 27-yard field goal leading to the kickoff felt like a significant loss for the Tigers. The reason why leads to one of several essential plays in the heartbreaking loss for Auburn. Mississippi State 17 Auburn 0 2nd and 10 ball on MSU 26 2nd QTR 12:34 It got ugly fast for Auburn. The Tigers had 29 yards in the first quarter, five passing, and 24 rushing yards against the Bulldogs. Will Rogers had 139 passing yards in the same quarter with a touchdown and got his second of the game early in the second frame. Auburn needed a break, and it got one when Jeffery M’Ba sacked Rogers, and Dylan Brooks recovered the fumble created by M’Ba. The Tigers got the ball at the Bulldog’s eight-yard line. A touchdown puts the Tigers back in the game instantly. Instead, the drive stalled, which led to another play that didn’t go Auburn’s way. Mississippi State 17 Auburn 0 2nd and Goal ball on MSU 10 2nd QTR 11:03 Jeremiah Wright gets called for a blindside block and targeting on the run for three yards by starting quarterback Robby Ashford. The refs reviewed the targeting and rescinded it, but the 15-yard penalty for the blindside block remained. Auburn went from having the ball on the seven-yard line to third down on the 25-yard line. Another issue for Auburn was the fourth down situation. Ashford had a 15-yard run on third down, and it appeared the offense was going to go for it. But the team got called for a delay of game. Williams attempted to call a timeout, but the play clock ran down. Auburn kicked the field goal, 17-3, before the 90-plus-yard kickoff return. Mississippi State 24 Auburn 6 2nd and 14 on MSU 20 3rd QTR 10:18 Auburn failed to score on the first drive of the second half. A comeback seemed bleak until Auburn’s special teams made a big play. Barton Lester and Sean Jackson tackled the Bulldog punter after a fumbled snap. Auburn’s offense got the ball at the Bulldog’s 16-yard line. Ashford capitalized on the opportunity for his first of two touchdown runs. The Tigers couldn’t convert the two-point attempt, but 24-12 felt much more hopeful. Ashford’s score on 3rd and three from the Bulldog’s 18 at the 4:18 mark in the third quarter brought Auburn within striking distance at 24-19. -- Williams will have a lot to feel good about when it comes to Auburn’s effort in his first game as the Tigers, interim head coach. However, there will be lots of work to do when the team reconvenes on Monday for practice to prepare for Texas A&M. The Tigers had 14 penalties for 115 yards, even if you take away the questionable call on Wright for the blindside block, he had another personal foul that was a no-doubter in the second half. Auburn can’t afford to give away yards on silly penalties. -- Auburn rushed for 256 yards and held MSU to 13 yards. However, Rogers threw for 375 yards compared to Ashford’s 75 on 7-22 passing. Ashford discussed Auburn’s dedication to running the ball despite trailing by 18 points at halftime. “You kind of saw the conditions,” Ashford said. “The ball’s slippery. Which a lot of people don’t know because you can’t really tell, but with that kind of weird rain, the ground’s wet, so center’s got the ball; he’s not trying to make it slick, but you get it, and it’s wet, so our pass game just wasn’t great, but you’ve got to give cred to Mississippi State’s defense, too. They played great. When you know, you can run the ball, and when you have running backs like what we have, you’ve gotta give those guys the ball. Auburn’s known for running the football, so it was kind of just (a) slick football. Everything around it leveled us to know, ‘OK, we’ve got to pound it.’” -- Auburn’s willingness to adapt showed during the game, but it started on Monday when Harsin departed the program. Fans might’ve been fed up with Harsin, but having to change so much with four weeks left in the season is challenging for the players and staff members who are impacted beyond three and a half hours on Saturdays in southern football stadiums. “You know, you all have no idea the week—I know you’ve seen what happened,” Williams said, “But you have no idea the week that we just had with the lack of preparation because what went down on Monday and a couple things throughout the week that went on.” Nubyjas Wilborn covers Auburn for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nwilborn19

Mississippi product Derick Hall a menace in final home-state game Nathan King 5-6 minutes STARKVILLE, Mississippi — Even if he did decide to return for a super senior season, Derick Hall still would have played his last game in his home state Saturday. And his Magnolia State curtain call didn’t disappoint. In Auburn’s 39-33 overtime loss at Mississippi State, the senior edge rusher was a complete menace, with two sacks — including a strip-sack recovered by Colby Wooden in the second quarter — three tackles for loss in total and a team-high eight tackles on the night. The Gulf Port, Mississippi, product’s two trips to Starkville in his Auburn career were both productive ones, with four sacks and five TFLs combined. “It's the last time I'll ever play a ball game in Mississippi,” Hall, a team captain, said postgame. “That really set in with me earlier this week. Other guys may have an opportunity to go back to Georgia … but this is the last game I'll ever play in Mississippi. I just wanted to lay it all on the line for these guys. They did the same for me. I couldn't ask for much more.” The 6-foot-3 pass-rusher — who’s surely in line for an All-SEC season and an NFL draft selection, now back in a tie second place in the conference with seven sacks and a tie for third with 11 TFLs — halted a Mississippi State drive that had just crossed midfield by strip-sacking quarterback Will Rogers on a third-and-10. It was the second strip-sack of the game for Auburn’s defense, after Jeffrey M'ba smacked Rogers earlier in the quarter for another turnover. Hall’s big play helped keep Auburn’s confidence growing on defense, as the Tigers kept the Bulldogs from scoring on nine straight possessions after the home team went up 24-3 at the start of the second quarter. Hall later elicited a massive roar from the Auburn fans in Davis Wade Stadium when he laid a huge hit on Rogers for another sack late in the third quarter, immediately following a Robby Ashford touchdown run that brought the Tigers within a score. Auburn had five sacks on the night, its most this season. As much as Hall would have preferred to focus only on his last trip back to his home state, he had other responsibilities last week. As a team captain, he was tasked with helping interim coach Cadillac Williams and the staff keep the Tigers focused after Bryan Harsin was fired Monday. “I've been through a coaching change before with Coach Malzahn, and I know what it's like,” Hall said. “It's tough. But I've never been through it during the middle of the season. It was new waters for all of us. We're all treading new waters. We just came into this thing and believed in Coach 'Lac and his message. The guys just rallied behind us.” In addition to the two forced fumbles by the defensive line, pressure on Rogers also forced an errant throw at the beginning of the third quarter, when a tipped ball over the middle was picked off by Jaylin Simpson and returned to Mississippi State’s 19-yard line. Auburn entered the game with just six takeaways on the year, and it generated three turnovers Saturday night, its most in a game this season. “Tonight it just clicked,” linebacker Barton Lester said of the three turnovers. “I think it was just guys doing their job and playing hard for each other. At the end of the day you saw the fruits of that labor. We just have to build off that and continue it.” Auburn outscored Mississippi State 27-9 in the second half, including two separate go-ahead touchdowns by the Tigers in the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs eventually tied things up to force overtime, though, then won on a walk-off touchdown run after sixth-year Auburn kicker Anders Carlson missed a 38-yard field on the first overtime possession. “In the locker room, we had a couple of guys who were crying,” Wooden said. “Everybody's spirits were up. We fought. Like, all year, the story of us was that we've gotten up and — no fight. So for us to fight back and take them to the wire, it just shows how we got together as a team. I love these guys. I wouldn't trade them for the world.” Hall admitted it was a tough loss to swallow, too. But like the Tigers’ interim coach, he was elated with the effort he saw from his team after such a tumultuous week for the program. “That's all you can ask for,” Hall said. “Obviously, we came up short. But we don't have anything to hang our head about.” 1COMMENTS *** 60% OFF: Subscribe to Auburn Undercover for the latest news and intel, podcasts, recruiting coverage and more ***

Auburn’s reconfigured coaching staff adapts after ‘bombshell’ week Published: Nov. 06, 2022, 2:10 p.m. 7-8 minutes Cadillac Williams looked over to his wife, Evan, and tried to recall the hours of respite he got this week. Sleep was an estranged friend to Williams and the rest of Auburn’s coaching staff after the upheaval at the top of the program earlier in the week. Bryan Harsin was fired as head coach Monday, ousted after a subpar 21-game tenure, as were six other staff members, including offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Eric Kiesau and tight ends coach Brad Bedell. Williams was tabbed as interim coach, and the rest of Auburn’s offensive assistants reshuffled and added to their roles during a makeshift week of preparation for the Tigers’ game at Mississippi State. Read more Auburn football: Grading Auburn’s 39-33 loss to Mississippi State, Cadillac Williams’ coaching debut Auburn players share where, how they found out about Bryan Harsin’s firing Even in defeat, Auburn didn’t blink in Cadillac Williams “special night” Williams ran on about six hours of sleep between Monday night and Thursday. He and the rest of the coaching staff, particularly those on the offensive side of the ball, burned the midnight oil at Auburn’s athletics complex, working nightly until 1 or 2 a.m. Williams finally got about four hours of sleep Friday, on the eve of his head coaching debut, after the gameplan was fully in place. “We were scrambling,” Williams said. “When you practice an offense one way for eight weeks and then you get a bombshell hit on you like that — now you’re trying to coordinate calling it and everything that goes into it.” Along with Williams’ promotion to interim coach of his alma mater, every remaining member of Auburn’s offensive staff had a new job to do this week. Offensive line coach Will Friend and wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard shared offensive coordinator duties, developing an offensive gameplan together while also navigating a play-sheet and calling an offense that wasn’t inherently theirs. At one point in the game, when Auburn’s defense was on the field and after a timeout, Friend found a spot behind the injury tent on the Tigers’ sideline and sat down on a cooler, intently poring over the play-sheet, studying it and familiarizing himself with all the calls at his disposal. With Friend splitting the play-calling assignment with Hilliard, offensive analyst Kendall Simmons assumed the role as offensive line coach. Joe Bernardi took over the tight end room. Mike Hartline oversaw the quarterbacks, and Jeff McDaniels helped out with running backs to ease the load off Williams. “We lost most of the offensive staff — they got let go,” edge defender Derick Hall said. “Guys had to step up. It’s just like when a player goes down, another player steps up…. Guys stepped up. Coaches stepped up and really prepared us to go out and be successful today. Everybody just stuck together. That was the biggest thing — sticking together and playing for each other this week. And I really feel like we did that tonight.” The process wasn’t always pretty, but the results provided optimism for a program in need of it. Auburn fell behind by 21 points in the second quarter but rallied, scoring 22 unanswered and twice taking the lead in the fourth quarter against Mississippi State. The Tigers ultimately fell in overtime, 39-33, but considering the circumstances of the game and everything that led up to it, Auburn’s coaching staff adapted admirably on the fly. The Tigers, who struggled to make second-half adjustments offensively under Harsin, scored 27 second-half points Saturday — their most in the second half of a game this season. Auburn’s 27 points after halftime matched or exceeded the team’s scoring output in six of its previous eight games this year. The team’s rally from down 21 points was also its biggest comeback in a game since erasing a 12-point deficit in a win against Georgia State last week. “I told them, forget the scoreboard,” Williams said. “We’re going to keep fighting, keep punching.” Auburn displayed impressive resiliency in the face of adversity, not just with a makeshift offensive gameplan, but with a resolute defensive effort after some early struggles against the Air Raid. After Mississippi State extended its lead to 24-3 on a 92-yard kickoff return touchdown in the second quarter, Auburn’s defense clamped down for much of the rest of the night. The Bulldogs’ next nine possessions included four punts—including three three-and-outs—a turnover on downs, three turnovers and just 64 yards. Auburn’s three takeaways in its first game after Harsin’s firing were more than the Tigers had in any of Harsin’s 21 games as head coach. It was the first time Auburn forced three turnovers in a game since the 2020 against LSU. “(Williams) is trying and he’s doing his best — and he’s doing a damn good job,” defensive back Jaylin Simpson said. “I think our performance tonight showed a lot of what he’s been pouring into us. The main message is to serve and believe. We were out there serving, and he’s been pouring his belief into us. We really believed we could win that game. It showed. We didn’t get the results we wanted, but Coach Lac has been doing a real good job.” Auburn’s hopes of an upset—and what would have been one of the most symbolic, meaningful wins in recent memory—fell short in overtime. Mississippi State kicked a game-tying field goal with 29 seconds to play, and then the Bulldogs walked it off with a touchdown in the extra period to send Auburn to its fifth straight loss. The Tigers were far from perfect Saturday, with an absent passing game and a slew of special teams miscues, and Williams shouldered the blame for any shortcomings. It wasn’t any delirium from his lack of sleep throughout the week, but rather a heartfelt ownership of his team’s issues during a week of tumult and uncertainty. “I told these coaches early in the week, when I got named interim head coach, I done been around Auburn; Auburn is about the people within those walls, and in times like this, these kids need our leadership,” Williams said. “They need us, whether they know it or not. They need us, and not just presentation of us just speaking it; our actions got to show. They got to feel that we care for them, and I honestly — the way that we came together, what a rocket week, man. “For these kids to go out there and play ball like that — man, I’m honored to be those guys’ coach. Truly honored. Wouldn’t want to do it with no other group or coaches than what I just experienced with those guys.” Tom Green is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Tomas_Verde.

Auburn a slight home favorite against reeling Texas A&M Published: Nov. 06, 2022, 7:31 p.m. 3-4 minutes Auburn running back Tank Bigsby holds the ball in the end zone after a touchdown during the second half of the team's NCAA college football game against Mississippi State in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. Mississippi State won 39-33 in overtime. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)AP Auburn will be favored in a game for the first time since late September when it hosts Texas A&M on the Plains. After opening as a slight underdog to the Aggies, according to Circa Sports, Auburn is listed as a slim home favorite for the teams’ Saturday matchup at Jordan-Hare Stadium at various other sportsbooks. The Tigers are two-point favorites against the Aggies, according to Draft Kings, and are listed as one-point favorites, according to BetOnline. FanDuel also lists Auburn as a slight favorite, with the Tigers opening at minus-1.5 points. Read more Auburn football: Auburn’s reconfigured coaching staff adapts after “bombshell” week Auburn players share where, how they found out about Bryan Harsin’s firing Even in defeat, Auburn didn’t blink in Cadillac Williams “special night” It’s the first time since Sept. 24 against Missouri, in the teams’ SEC opener at Jordan-Hare Stadium, that Auburn has been favored in a game. Auburn has lost each of its last five games since that overtime win against Missouri, the latest a 39-33 overtime road loss to Mississippi State in the team’s first game following last week’s firing of coach Bryan Harsin. The Tigers are 2-3 against the spread during their five-game losing streak. Saturday’s game between Auburn (3-6, 1-5 SEC) and Texas A&M (3-6, 1-5) is just the fourth time in 10 games this season that the Tigers will be favored. Both the Tigers and Aggies carry five-game losing streaks into the matchup, which is set for a 6:30 p.m. kickoff at Jordan-Hare Stadium, with the game airing on SEC Network. After entering the season with sky-high expectations, Texas A&M has fallen flat under head coach Jimbo Fisher. The Aggies lost to Appalachian State at home in Week 2, then won back-to-back games against then-ranked Miami and Arkansas before bottoming out over the last five weeks. During that stretch, Texas A&M has lost to Mississippi State, Alabama, South Carolina, Ole Miss and Florida. The Aggies and Tigers are tied for last in the SEC West, and Saturday’s winner will climb out of the division cellar. The Week 11 matchup on the Plains will mark the 13th all-time meeting between the two schools and the 11th since the Aggies joined the SEC. Texas A&M leads the all-time series, 7-5, but the two programs have split their 10 meetings as conference rivals. The Aggies have won each of the last two games in the series after the Tigers won three in a row from 2017-19. Tom Green is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Tomas_Verde. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.

Thoughts from Auburn’s overtime loss at Mississippi State * Why did it take eight games and a change in head coaches to figure out called runs for quarterback Robby Ashford would be a really good idea? * Interim head coach Cadillac Williams’ positive energy on the sideline was a welcome sight. And his players responded. * Offensive play-calling, particularly in the second half, was as good as I have seen at Auburn in a long while. Kudos to offensive line coach Will Friend, who is acting as offensive coordinator. * Defensive coordinator Jeff Schmedding deserves some credit, too. After a shaky start, the defense gave the Tigers a chance to win. * Mainly, Auburn players deserve credit for responding after an extremely difficult week. * There should be consequences for the official who made the bogus pass interference call against Auburn in overtime, but there won’t be. Judgment call and all. Face-guarding is not a penalty in college football, so not turning his head should not have been an issue. The ball was clearly uncatchable. From what I have been able to tell watching replays, I don’t believe there was even any contact with the receiver. * If there is one decision Williams would like to have back, it is probably going for it on fourth-and-one deep in his own territory. * The combination of a short squib kick and a facemask penalty on Auburn’s final kickoff was devastating. * It is clear that Anders Carlson, who routinely sailed kickoffs through the end zone before last season’s ACL injury, is struggling now. Why not let heralded freshman Alex McPherson kick off? He can do it now and still protect his redshirt season. * Defensive tackle Colby Wooden and edge rusher Derrick Hall are the kinds of players every coach wants. They have NFL talent. They are superior leaders. And they play all-out on every snap. Another emotional game for Williams Who would have thought that Auburn and Texas A&M would match five-game losing streaks next Saturday. Despite those records, I look for Jordan-Hare Stadium to be rocking. Texas A&M will clearly be the more talented team, but that talent has not translated into anything positive so far this season. Auburn is a 1-point favorite. It will be another emotional game for Williams, who found stardom on the Pat Dye Field grass. A valuable lesson from LSU LSU coach Brian Kelly did Saturday night against Alabama what Harsin should have done against Alabama last season. In overtime, Alabama scored first and LSU answered. Kelly called for a two-point conversion. It worked, and LSU won. Auburn faced the same situation last season against Alabama and kicked. The folly of that decision is that, according to overtime rules, after both teams score touchdowns, you are going to have to win the game with two-point conversions. Why not go for it? Kelly answers doubters There were those – I among them – who thought Brian Kelly would thrive when he moved from Notre Dame to LSU. He has proved us doubters wrong. LSU, after consecutive non-winning seasons, didn’t look like much to start the season. There was a home loss to Florida State, a 17-point deficit at Auburn and a blowout loss to Tennessee. But since then, Kelly’s team has improved steadily. The past two weeks, the Bayou Bengals knocked off Alabama and Ole Miss to take full control of the West Division. Georgia’s domination continues Georgia had 15 players drafted off last season’s national championship team. This team might be better. The Bulldogs simply overwhelm opponents with talent. Saturday’s 27-13 win over Tennessee wasn’t nearly as close as the score. I haven’t seen much of Ohio State, but Georgia is the best team I have watched, and it’s not close. Interestingly, Kirby Smart doesn’t have a portal transfer on his roster. Cohen sits out trip to Starkville Auburn athletics director John Cohen did not attend Saturday’s game at Mississippi State, and I don’t blame him. He was the Mississippi State athletics director until last Monday morning. It would have been an incredibly uncomfortable situation. The coaching search As Auburn begins its search for a new head coach, I continue to hear more talk about Lane Kiffin than anyone else, but it must be remembered that most of what I hear is second- or third-hand. I am not ready to declare him or anyone else the favorite to land the job. Kiffin has said nothing to dampen the speculation. Meanwhile, he has a huge home game Saturday against Alabama. Can the Rebels win? It’s possible, but not likely. I don’t see how their defense can hold Alabama down enough to get it done. A statement win for Freeze Think what you will about Hugh Freeze and his well-publicized previous issues, but the guy is a heck of a coach. Saturday’s 21-19 victory at Arkansas was just the latest indication of that. I don’t know where he stands in Auburn’s search or if he is even part of it, but I have little doubt he would be a big winner at Auburn. A rule that needs to be changed 25COMMENTS If ever there was a rule that needs to be changed, it is the one that says the tackle box extends to the goal line on punt formation. Auburn lost a touchdown against Mercer when a snap sailed over the punter’s head, he picked it up near the goal line and kicked it as he was being tackle. Auburn was called for roughing. It wasn’t much more than a curiosity in a 41-16 game. The same thing happened Saturday night on a Kentucky snap that sailed over the punter’s head. This time it mattered a lot. It probably cost South Carolina a victory. A punter should not be protected when he picks the ball up while under duress and manages to punch it out with his foot as he is being tackled. It actually gives a team a benefit for a bad play. It’s ridiculous, really. ">247Sports

caddy in the locker room after the game.

Auburn starting lineman to undergo season-ending procedure following Saturday injury, per report Rolando Rosa 2-3 minutes If Auburn is going to overcome the odds to reach .500 and qualify for a bowl game, the Tigers will have to do so without the services of one of their starting offensive linemen. Sixth-year senior Austin Troxell suffered a knee injury during Auburn’s 39-33 overtime defeat at Mississippi State that will end his career with the Tigers, according to 247Sports. This is the second starting offensive lineman Auburn has lost this season. Center Tate Johnson had elbow surgery after Week 4. Troxell exited the loss during the third quarter and didn’t return. The 6-foot-7, 309-pound Troxell arrived at Auburn as a 4-star recruit. It’s been an injury-marred career at Auburn for Troxell. He’s dealt with knee injuries and missed all of the 2019 season due to surgery. In 2020, Troxell became a fixture as the starting left tackle, where he remained for the next 2 seasons. After Killian Zierer took over at left tackle this preseason, Troxell slid over to right tackle where he’s made 8 starts. In total, Troxell has started 24 contests during his time at Auburn. Next up for Auburn is a home contest on Saturday against Texas A&M (7:30 p.m. ET/SEC Network).

Cadillac Williams shares challenges as Auburn interim coach after Tigers lose to Mississippi State in debut Raymond Lucas Jr 3-4 minutes In his debut as Auburn's interim coach, Cadillac Williams and the Tigers came up short against Mississippi State, 39-33, in overtime Saturday night. Before donning a headset, Williams starred at running back at Auburn in the early 2000s, eventually becoming the No. 5 overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft. He previously served as the Tigers running backs coach and was promoted after the firing of Bryan Harsin last week. Williams explained the challenges he faces as head coach following the game. "From Monday through Thursday, I ran off about six hours of sleep," Williams said of navigating as a head coach. "I did get about three or four hours of sleep last night. I hadn't been able to sleep. Us offensive coaches have been in the building until 1, 2 in the morning. We're scrambling. When you practice an offense one way for eight weeks and then you get a bombshell hit on you like that — now you're trying to coordinate calling it and everything that goes into it. I'm just telling you, I don't think y'all understand. Man, I'm proud of those kids and what just happened. We were believing, but it was whispers there of, "Whoa, this about to be ...' Keep it close. It'll be much better this week, though. Much better. "We'll have some time to teach. We're tweaking the schedule. We're giving the guys off tomorrow, where they'll have a captain's practice where they go in and watch film and work out on their own — where our coaches can really move forward from this game. We're going to practice on Monday, and we can be more organized, and it'll be better to put these kids in better positions. These kids fought. They fought." Inexperience might prevent Williams from having a legitimate shot at the permanent head coaching position. Still, Williams could have a bright future and Auburn Undercover's Nathan King joined The College Football Daily to explain Williams' status and role moving forward, and what could be in store for the former Auburn All-American running back. "That's what some people were talking about yesterday," King said. "Cadillac, great guy. Great recruiter. Has done only good things since he got here at Auburn. You talk to anybody they can only say good things about him. This is his first college job. Where Gus Malzahn plucked him from, he was a high school coach at IMG Academy which, of course that's a great job, but then he was coaching the Birmingham Iron in the AAF. He was their running backs coach. It made a lot of sense to bring him home but I really don't know about any other opportunities he would have had there other than his alma mater at Auburn and now he's done great. He's recruited really well. Tank Bigsby obviously reflects really well on what he's done over the past couple years. From what we heard, he actually had a couple NFL opportunities last offseason that didn't really break his way." Subscribe to 247Sports YouTube for the latest college football, basketball and recruiting news including live college commitments. Williams and Auburn (3-6, 1-5 in SEC) continue the season Saturday at home against Texas A&M (3-6, 1-5). ">247Sports

Auburn, Dan Lanning have mutual interest in Tigers' head coaching job Lance Dawe 4-5 minutes Up next in our "making the case" series with Auburn head coaching candidates is Dan Lanning, head coach of the Oregon Ducks. Our sources have confirmed that there is mutual interest between Auburn and Lanning, who is nine games into his head coaching tenure with Oregon. Other reports have confirmed that Lanning and Auburn have been in contact. This could all be a play to get an extension from the Ducks. Here's a look at Lanning's resume, why he fits on the Plains and why the Tigers may pursue him further. The Fit "Culture fit" is a phrase often thrown around without full understanding of what it means. It's not all about personality. It's also about winning. Being a culture fit varies from school to school. Some fanbases lean into certain people more. Others, less. Sam Pittman and Arkansas are a good example of what it means to be a culture fit. Some places don't need the right personality to succeed. Brian Kelly and LSU are a good current example. Nick Saban wasn't a good personality fit with Alabama when he started coaching for the Tide. After this last go around with Bryan Harsin, one could argue that while the Tigers need someone who will win, they also need someone who can blend into the landscape a little better. Someone who can earn the support of the fanbase and also back it up with winning. Dan Lanning is a stand up coach who isn't a personality risk like Lane Kiffin or Hugh Freeze. Bottom line. On top of that, he's arguably a better recruiter than both. The Resume Record at Oregon: 7-1 Overall Record: 7-1 Head coaching experience: Oregon Other experience: Pittsburgh (GA), Arizona State (GA/RC), Sam Houston State (DB), Alabama (GA), Memphis (ILB), Georgia (DC/OLB) Notes: Lanning has two national championship rings as a GA for the Crimson Tide (2015) and a defensive coordinator for the Bulldogs (2021). A coach cut from the Kirby Smart/Nick Saban tree that is now finding success at a Power Five job should be taken into strong consideration. Arguably the most impressive part of his resume is his most recent before Oregon: Leading one of the best defensive units of the 21st century (Georgia) to a national title. Georgia's 2021 defense is the second-best of any national title-winning team since 2005, right behind 2011 Alabama. That defense was legendary. Lanning could restore that side of the ball for Auburn. My Thoughts Since the blowout loss to his former team in the season opener, Lanning's Oregon squad has gotten progressively better - and has torn through the Pac-12 slate thus far. He picked up six five-star commitments during his time at Georgia and has a solid recruiting track record. He produced two top-three defensive units with the Bulldogs and has all the things an SEC school would want - league experience, two national titles as GA and DC, recruiting talent, and the proven ability to develop talent. He has everything except a lengthy head coaching record. He can recruit, he's a proven winner in the SEC, and his personality would fit well on the Plains. May it also be noted that former Oregon coach Willie Taggart bolted from the Ducks in 2017 after one season to go coach Florida State. Anything is possible here with Auburn and Lanning.

Coach Caddy sparks joy despite defeat at Auburn Published: Nov. 06, 2022, 4:05 p.m. 4-5 minutes Auburn’s 39-33 loss against Mississippi State continued a demoralizing five-game losing streak. The Tigers parted with head coach Bryan Harsin after 21 games and a 9-12 record on Monday and promoted Cadillac Williams to interim head coach. Williams told reporters he slept around 10 hours during the week before entering the contest against the Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium. He likely rested well on Saturday after finishing his duties with media obligations, visiting with recruits, and recording the postgame show. There wasn’t the historical moment of Auburn’s first win with an African-American head coach for Williams, who didn’t shy away from the emotional week. However, the Tigers rushed back from a 24-3 deficit to take a 25-24 lead with 6:36 left in the game on Tank Bigsby’s 41-yard touchdown run. Read More Auburn Football: Impactful plays and takeaways from Auburn’s 39-33 OT loss at Mississippi State - Even in defeat, Auburn didn’t blink in Cadillac Williams “special night” Goodman: Excruciating theater on a Saturday in the South Auburn nearly brought the game home when Jarquez Hunter plowed into the endzone with 1:05 left. “Two things we talked about all week was serve and believe,” Williams said. “I think those guys exemplified it. They showed that. So, my message to those guys was, we’re not going to take this as a loss. Yeah, we didn’t complete the mission yet; we lost, but there’s so many, so many, so many life lessons. So many life lessons that these kids are going to learn from (tonight).” Williams watched the 33-30 lead evaporate on a field goal at the end of the fourth. One of the lessons will come from how Auburn handled the game’s final moments. Mississippi State got the back after the game-tying field goal because of a misstep by the Tigers during the ensuing kickoff. The Bulldogs missed the 51-yard attempt, but it shouldn’t have happened. Williams could’ve pointed the finger at Sean Jackson for mishandling the ball leading to the extra possession. Instead, Williams acknowledged an error on his part. “Honestly, it’s totally on me. I’m a firm believer in that you get what you emphasize. I emphasized two things all week: serve and believe,” Williams said. “I just added the discipline part today. So it’s: serve, discipline, and believe. Those kids are going to get better. They had a lot going on this week. I told Sean Jackson and all of them that it’s nobody’s fault. We’re going to wrap our hands around Sean.” “Kids make mistakes. We have to get better with the discipline aspect of it, which I just emphasized today. Don’t look at the kid; that’s entirely on me.” Williams took the blame for Auburn losing while giving the players the praise for the comeback. It was a tough week for the Tigers, but the postgame mood was upbeat. Auburn hopes to translate the good vibes into a win with the reeling Texas A&M Aggies coming to town this weekend. “It was just positivity around everywhere,” Auburn quarterback Robby Ashford, who rushed for two touchdowns, said. “Just being happy, because we knew, I kind of feel like everybody knew what happened was just kind of rough. You’re deep into the season, and it’s not going how we want it to, but at the end of the day, Coach ‘lac, he’s been nothing but great to us. I have so much love for him; the positivity brings, I mean, you can’t match it. To go out there and play for somebody like that is great.” Nubyjas Wilborn covers Auburn for Alabama Media Group. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.

Auburn starting right tackle Austin Troxell out for rest of season Nathan King 3 minutes Starting right tackle Austin Troxell sustained a knee injury against Mississippi State and will undergo a procedure Monday that will end his season and Auburn career, a source close to the situation informed Auburn Undercover on Sunday. A sixth-year senior, Troxell went down in the third quarter of Auburn's 39-33 overtime loss in Starkville and did not return to the game. The former four-star recruit dealt with knee injuries throughout his football career, battling back from two surgeries in high school and one at Auburn during the 2019 spring game, which forced him to miss the entire 2019 season. The following year, though, Troxell settled into a starting role at left tackle, where he was the Tigers' top option for the next two seasons. With Kilian Zierer emerging at left tackle this past preseason, Troxell moved over to right tackle, where he started eight of nine games this season; his only absence was against Ole Miss, when he was recovering from a minor injury sustained the week before at Georgia. Overall, Troxell has started 24 games in his Auburn career. Former JUCO transfer Brenden Coffey filled in for Troxell against Ole Miss and was also his replacement for the remainder of the game Saturday in Starkville. Troxell is the second starting offensive lineman to suffer a season-ending injury this year; center Tate Johnson underwent elbow surgery following Auburn's Week 4 win over Missouri. Johnson was in that role because sixth-year center Nick Brahms elected to retire from football in the preseason after injury troubles of his own throughout his career with the Tigers. In the offseason, Troxell was one of four offensive linemen to elect to return to Auburn in 2022, exercising their free year of COVID-19 eligibility. 12COMMENTS During fall camp, Troxell said, health-wise, he was "feeling the best I have since I've been here." "The thing about coming back, after the bowl game, it really wasn't a hard decision for me," Troxell said. "I've been here for a while, but I really haven't played as much as I've wanted to. It was a no-brainer for me to come back." ">247Sports

Hate in America is on the rise. It's making it more dangerous for everyone from politicians to librarians to do their jobs. Marguerite Ward 6-7 minutes The FBI and other federal agencies recently warned other security agencies of the potential of violence on or following America's midterm elections, according to documents obtained by NPR.Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images Hate-motivated incidents in 37 US cities increased in 2021 and appear to be trending upward. Politicians, poll workers, and even librarians report growing harassment, threats, and attacks. The midterm elections and the 2024 presidential race could make the situation worse. For Richard Ringer, a Democrat running for a seat in the Pennsylvania Statehouse, the rising tide of hate in America made it to his doorstep. On Monday morning, Ringer said, he heard someone enter his garage. He said he sneaked up on the man, whom he didn't know, and lunged at him. During the scuffle, the intruder punched Ringer in the head about 10 times, knocking him out, Ringer said. After regaining consciousness, Ringer called the police, according to news reports. It was the third time in two weeks Ringer had to call the police, he said. Once was after someone vandalized his garage door; the other time was after someone threw a brick through the window of his door, Ringer said. The incidents, which Ringer said he believed were related to his political work, have left him unsettled about the state of America. "I'm scared for this country," Ringer told Insider. "I'm worried as hell." Richard Ringer, a Democratic candidate seeking as seat in the Pennsylvania Statehouse, told Insider he was attacked by a male intruder.Images via Richard Ringer The ordeals Ringer described, while shocking, aren't a total surprise. From abortion clinics to polling places to libraries, threats of violence appear to be growing. And it's likely to get worse as the US heads toward what's sure to be a divisive race for the White House in 2024. Animus among Americans seems to be everywhere: A man attacked Nancy Pelosi's husband, and the suspect is accused of attempting to kidnap of the Democratic House leader. Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, posted a series of antisemitic tweets in October and wore a "White Lives Matter" T-shirt. The Brooklyn Nets suspended point guard Kyrie Irving for at least five games for his "failure to disavow antisemitism." An analysis from the Network Contagion Research Institute showed use of the N-word on Twitter spiking in a single day after Elon Musk took over the platform as some users appeared to respond to his free-speech stance. Hate-motivated incidents in 37 major US cities increased by nearly 39% in 2021 and appear to be trending upward for 2022, according to an analysis of national police data compiled by the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at the California State University, San Bernardino. "It's bad right now. B-A-D," George Rattay, the chair of the Democratic Party in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, told Insider. "People are reluctant to work at the polls today. And I understand it. People take their anger out on these workers, many of whom are elderly." Rattay, who's been in politics for more than four decades, said canvassers, volunteers, and candidates were facing threats and becoming involved in altercations. "When I first got into politics, I could reach across the aisle on issues and have some civility," he said. "It's not that way today." Poll workers and even librarians face violence There have been multiple reports of increasing threats and violence targeting poll workers.Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images The danger isn't limited to politicians. In August, federal prosecutors charged five people with making death threats against election workers. In October, an Iowa man was arrested in connection with threats to kill election officials in Arizona's Maricopa County. "The rhetoric that's coming out of these leaders, particularly from Republicans, is dangerous," Ringer said, adding that President Donald Trump's rhetoric was to blame. "I'm worried about poll workers." The Republican National Committee didn't immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. The National Counterterrorism Center, the FBI, and other agencies issued a bulletin last month warning security agencies of the potential for attacks on political candidates, election officials, and polling workers, according to documents obtained by NPR. The FBI has since warned about "broad threats" to synagogues in New Jersey. Abortion-clinic workers also worry about growing threats, which could include violence, harassment, and even arson, in a post-Roe v. Wade America, NPR reported. Less-controversial pillars of society are at risk as well. Libraries, which not long ago wouldn't have been considered targets of political attacks, are facing threats — along with their workers. Anger from some about the books some libraries stock is dragging librarians into the nation's culture wars. Libraries in Denver were shut down for a day after receiving an "unspecified threat" in late September. A similar situation unfolded in Fort Worth, Texas, about the same time. In Nashville, Tennessee, various libraries were closed in October for a day after a bomb threat was emailed to staff. "Unfortunately there have been a rising number of threats of violence toward libraries and librarians," the American Library Association's executive board told Insider via email. The association issued a statement in June condemning the threats, adding that many "aim to erase the stories and identities of gay, queer, transgender, Black, Indigenous, persons of color, those with disabilities and religious minorities." The breadth of the threats to politicians, poll workers, and other civic employees like librarians indicates hate in America has become prolific. And with early voting underway in some states ahead of the Tuesday midterm elections, divisive rhetoric is likely to grow louder. "I'm worried about next week," Ringer said, referring to the midterms. "I don't know what's going to happen. I hope nothing happens."

bring bail money.......

Liz Cheney makes waves on her way out of Congress Mike Lillis 7-9 minutes Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) is going out with a bang, ramping up her attacks on the pro-Trump forces in her own party with a highly public exit tour designed to prevent the same GOP leaders she once embraced from winning power next year. The Wyoming conservative was clobbered in her August primary after lambasting former President Trump for his role in last year’s attack on the U.S. Capitol — a single-minded crusade that made her a pariah in the ruby-red Cowboy State, where Trump remains a revered figure. Now, in the waning weeks of her congressional career, Cheney has launched an extraordinary campaign, stumping for once-rival Democrats in battleground districts and assailing fellow Republicans as an existential threat to America’s most basic democratic foundations — a role reversal unlike anything seen on Capitol Hill in modern memory. As an opening act, Cheney was in central Michigan on Tuesday to promote one of the most vulnerable Democrats this midterm cycle, Rep. Elissa Slotkin, a former Pentagon official whose GOP opponent, state Senator Tom Barrett, has said the legitimacy of the 2020 election remains “an unknowable thing.” Cheney and Slotkin don’t see eye-to-eye on countless policy positions, but the notion that Congress might soon be controlled by a party unwilling to accept election results has united them in a last-ditch effort to convince voters that preserving democracy should trump everything else — even economic concerns — when they go to the polls on Tuesday. “If we want to ensure the survival of the republic, we have to walk away from politics as usual,” Cheney said to a packed gymnasium in East Lansing. “We have to stand up — every one of us — and say we’re going to do what’s right for this country and we’re going to look beyond partisan politics.” On the same day, during an event at Cleveland State University, Cheney also endorsed another Democrat, Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan, who is squaring off against J.D. Vance, a Republican investor, to replace retiring GOP Sen. Rob Portman in the Buckeye State. Vance, who rose to fame as the author of the wildly popular “Hillbilly Elegy” memoir, was endorsed by Trump and continues to cast doubt on President Biden’s 2020 victory. “We have to have elected officials who are responsible, who are going to do the right thing, with whom you might disagree but whom you know have the best interest of the nation at heart and in mind,” Cheney told PBS’s Judy Woodruff in Cleveland. Most recently, Cheney on Saturday endorsed Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.), a former CIA official, who is vying for a third term against Republican Yesli Vega, a local county official who has won Trump’s endorsement. Biden won the district by six points in 2020, but the race has tightened in the final weeks, giving Republicans new hope that they can pick up a seat the sprawling district encompassing parts of both the Richmond and Washington suburbs. Cheney noted that she and Spanberger “don’t agree on every policy.” But Spanberger, she added, is “dedicated to serving this country … and defending our Constitution.” “Abigail’s opponent is promoting conspiracy theories, denying election outcomes she disagrees with, and defending the indefensible,” Cheney said in a statement. “We need our elected leaders to be honest, serious, and responsible.” It’s unclear if more endorsements are forthcoming. One factor behind that uncertainty is the lingering question of whether Cheney’s presence in any specific battleground district would be a benefit, or a liability, for incumbent Democrats. Cheney has won widespread praise among Trump critics of all parties, who view her denunciation of the former president as a principled stand in support of democratic traditions. And voters of that persuasion might be newly energized by an 11th-hour Cheney visit to their districts. But Cheney’s anti-Trump activism has also infuriated the former president’s most ardent supporters, creating risks for Democrats who might accept her public backing. Privately, some vulnerable lawmakers acknowledge the difficulty of weighing those competing factors, particularly given the scarcity of public opinion polls in many House districts. Trump is not sitting on the sidelines of that debate. On Wednesday, his Save America PAC blasted out an email highlighting a report in The Federalist, a conservative outlet, warning that a Cheney endorsement “is the political kiss of death.” A second factor pertains to voter priorities, as a host of recent surveys reveal that the state of the country’s democracy has been overshadowed by inflation, gas prices and other economic anxieties when it comes to the issue voters deem most important as they head to the polls. Trump has weighed in there, as well. Another Save America PAC email linked to a headline in The Washington Examiner: “It was the economy, stupid.” Slotkin, for one, has acknowledged the odd nature of her alliance with a former adversary, but is quick to add that the fight against election denialism is worth any political backlash. “The last time that she was doing media in my media market she was disagreeing with me vehemently on a point of policy,” Slotkin told CNN on Tuesday, shortly before the East Lansing event. “But we agree on one really big thing and that’s that there has to be a democratic system in order for our system to function.” Ryan has also welcomed Cheney’s support, suggesting it would prove to be a net asset even in Ohio, where Trump defeated Biden two years ago by 8 percentage points. “There are a lot of Republicans here in Ohio that are tired of the extremism,” Ryan told MSNBC on Tuesday. The idea that Cheney, the eldest daughter of the staunchly conservative former vice president, would be battling for Democrats in the midterms’ home stretch was unthinkable even 18 months ago, when she was still the third-ranking House Republican vying to flip control of the lower chamber this midterm cycle. But the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol was a transformative event for the three-term conservative, who quickly blamed Trump for provoking the violence and later became the most outspoken GOP critic of his false claims of a “stolen” election. Cheney’s message directly contradicted that of Rep. Kevin McCarthy (Calif.) and other top Republican leaders — who voted just hours after the rampage to undo Trump’s defeat in two states — and it led the GOP conference to boot Cheney from its leadership ranks four months later. Shortly afterwards, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) tapped Cheney to become the second in command of the select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack, giving her even greater voice to denounce Trump’s role in the rampage — and intensifying the backlash from Trump’s conservative base. By the time of the Wyoming primary in August, there was no contest: Cheney lost to her Trump-backed challenger, Harriet Hageman, by 37 points. She’s not going out quietly, however. And her campaign to help Democrats appears to be fueled by a certain personal disdain for McCarthy, who’s in line to be Speaker if the House flips — and has bent over backwards to stay in Trump’s good graces to help him secure the gavel. McCarthy’s office did not respond to a request for comment. “He’s been completely unfaithful to the Constitution and demonstrated a total lack of understanding of the significance and the importance of the role of Speaker, so I don’t believe he should be Speaker of the House,” Cheney said earlier this year. “I think that’s been very clear.” Mychael Schnell contributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and stre

ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit shares strong take on vacant Auburn position Taylor Jones 2 minutes Well, it is a good thing that Kirk Herbstreit will not be getting a call from John Cohen to interview for the open head football coaching job at Auburn University. During a segment of Saturday’s College Gameday live from Athens, Georgia, the college football guru explained why the Auburn job may not be as attractive as many believe, mostly due to off-the-field noise. “Auburn is one of those jobs when you’re winning, everything’s great,” Herbstreit said on College GameDay. “You go into restaurants in the local town and everyone supports you and your family. All of a sudden, things get off the tracks, get rid of him, rumors are starting. Now, all of a sudden, it’s affecting recruiting and the overall feel of the program. I think we’ve seen a lot of examples of that.” Herbstreit also empathized with a potential candidate by revealing what his approach would be if he were to receive a call from Cohen about an interview for the position. “So, to me, if I become a candidate, the first thing I’m going to do is get the score of the game,” Herbstreit said. “John (Cohen), are you going to be willing to work with me? Because I’m not dealing with that B.S. If you’re going to let that impact me, then I’m not taking the job. So, I don’t know how you do that? I don’t know how you talk to the guy who’s in charge of hiring this and say, ‘Can you control that?’” Herbstreit capped the topic by saying that the head coaching position at Auburn has unlimited potential, as long as the successful candidate finds a way to get on the side of Auburn’s boosters. List Twitter reacts to Auburn's wild overtime loss to Mississippi State Story originally appeared on Auburn Wire

i read that yes but nothing official on it. dad thinks his son should be a millionaire and knows what is at stake. i hope tj goes where he can get some killer coaching. i mean at auburn bo was overshooting players ten yards throwing bombs and he has corrected that at oregon. bo has thrown two of the prettiest bombs in the last two weeks i have seen. the receiver did not have to slow down and it came right in over his shoulder. so i hope tj gets another shot where he can learn something.

i am not going to mince any words here. if they which includes the new coach lets caddy go i will be mad and hurt. people are getting 5 to 8 to 10 million a year so how big a cut is caddy going to get. those kids believe in him and we have what half a team left? and many of those were not highly rated. i think caddy has the "it" factor. give him a right hand man like harsin had and get him the best assistants we can find and give him a real shot. i know it is a pipe dream but i feel the man has earned it. but if we allow him to get away from auburn i will be sad for a long long time.

i know a couple and they never take the blame for anything. it is always someone else's fault. some cat jumped me for saying the same thing last week and kept asking me what it meant. he made remarks twice so i called him karen. at 67 i am not putting up with anyones bull if i can help it. hell i can barely stand my own bull most of the time......

boy thats a first! lol got my christmas present yet?

as much as i mess with the mods and admins i understand.............grins

he said he was putting out so many brush fires i bet he had little time to do otherwise. but what do we do if we keep getting better and better under caddy with half a team and SOME suspect coaches?

i read in different places that is one thing most serial killers have in common. sleep deprivation.

at boise there was some kind of movement going on about racism and harsin was quiet until a player of his called him out on his silence and he released a statement that many felt he was reluctant to release. is he or was he racist? if you read between the lines it appears so but i do not want to confuse racism with him when he is probably an egotistical azz. but there seems to be some hints from some players. i would love to know the truth.