running backs just getting ‘warmed up,’ confident heading into Georgia

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Auburn Football

Auburn’s running backs just getting ‘warmed up,’ confident heading into Georgia

Updated Sep 29, 2020; Posted Sep 29, 2020

 

By Giana Han

Seeing 91 rushing yards in Auburn’s final game statistics is a little shocking considering Auburn has a reputation of running defenses into the ground. But the Tigers are just getting started.

“I feel the first time it was just something to get warmed up to see what we needed to work on,” running back Shaun Shivers said. “We see the things we need to work on and we’re just going to improve every week.”

Considering Auburn will be facing Georgia, a team that was one of the best rushing defenses in the country last season, it will need to get warmed up fast. The Bulldogs gave up just 74.6 rushing yards per game in 2019.

“After last year, I felt like that they were the best defense we played all year after we played them,” coach Gus Malzahn said. “They’ve got the majority of guys back. They make you earn it.”

Malzahn spoke about the Georgia defense with respect but not necessarily concern. He pointed out that by the time Georgia played Auburn last season, it had not given up a single rushing touchdown. Yet Auburn found a way to score one on the ground when Bo Nix rushed in from two yards out.

The Auburn offense is different than it was last year. Offensive Chad Morris is running it instead of Malzahn, and the Tigers' offensive performance in game one was clearly different than last year. Although Morris leaned heavily on the passing game in his first showing as an Auburn Tiger, his offense is not one-dimensional.

“Chad’s got the playbook,” Malzahn said. “He can do a lot of different things in the run game.”

Wide receiver Anthony Schwartz said the offense has a lot more that it can do, beyond what it showed Saturday. Quarterback Bo Nix said they didn’t get into any “crazy stuff,” but instead focused on a few simple things they knew they could do successfully. Now that the first game is over, the team has game film to evaluate and improve from, and Shivers is convinced the running backs can be more productive.

The running backs room definitely has the talent to run more than 91 yards in a game, defensive lineman Big Kat Bryant said. Bryant has faced running offenses across the SEC as well as his own team in practice, and he feels like Auburn’s group more than measures up.

“I feel like we’ve got one of the best running back corps in the country, I’m not going to lie,” Bryant said.

Not only are the running backs talented, but the offensive line is as well. Bryant said the fact that the backs are running behind players like center Nick Brahms and right tackle Brodarious Hamm gives him the confidence Auburn has what it takes to win.

The offensive line is a critical component to the run game’s success, and it went into the Kentucky game with almost no starting experience — and almost no practice experience. The room was hit hard by COVID-19 and injuries and didn’t have much time to practice together as a cohesive unit. That meant Auburn didn’t know what starting five would “gell” together the best, Malzahn said. Now that they have more information, they’ll be able to improve as a unit, which will then help the run game.

Auburn’s running backs also have the threat of Nix to help them. In the game against Kentucky, Nix was the leading rusher with 34 yards on five carries. Georgia coach Kirby Smart acknowledged Nix as a dual-threat, saying he thinks Nix’s running skills are underrated. Malzahn said Nix’s legs were key in Auburn’s last competition against Georgia, and he now has a full season of experience to help him.

Rather than be discouraged by their performance against Kentucky, the running backs are looking at the positives and are confident in their ability going forward.

“We know what it takes,” Shivers said. “We’re all just one play away from breaking it. We just have to get the running game going because Auburn is known for running the football.”

“We’re not too worried about the run game,” he added. “The run game is going to do what it does.”