La. Tech at Auburn Live Blog

2:41 AM Let’s put a bow on this one:
Auburn had 556 yards of total offense.  The last time the Tigers cracked 500 yards?  2005. 
For much of the first half, the Auburn offense looked like last year’s version: a team that could move the ball between the 20s, but not punch it into the endzone when it matters.  That all changed in the second half when freshman running back Onterio McCalebb busted out.  He finished with 148 yards and a touchdown, the first time a freshman cracked the 100 yd mark in the season opener since some guy named Bo Jackson played.  There was a big question coming into the season about how former starting quarterback Kodi Burns would respond after being moved to wide receiver.  Burns got a lot of touches both split-out and as the wildcat quarterback.  After the game he said with his athleticism, he’s happy to do anything he can to help the team win.  You can tell Gene Chizik is going out of his way to make Burns feel appreciated, but it didn’t feel forced in the flow of the offense like some tandem QB situations do (see Auburn 2008).  Chizik once again called Burns a true “Auburn man” after the game.  The Auburn defense also played much better in the second half.  Part of that is because the D got a lot of “try hard” penalties in the first half as Gene Chizik called them.  Several times in the first half, the defense would be close to getting a three-and-out, but penalties would keep the Louisiana Tech drive going.  Auburn cut down on the mistakes in the second half and pulled away for the easy 37-13 win (as someone on here predicted… ahem!). 

So what are we left with?

I think Auburn fans should be pleasantly surprised.  They’re thin and young on both sides of the ball, but Gus Malzahn’s version of the Auburn offense looked better than it has in a year.  (How could it be worse?)  What we don’t know is how good or bad La. Tech really is, so it will take a few more games to truly assess what the Tigers offer this season.  I will say this: I did notice a renewed vigor and enthusiasm among the players as they warmed up and came out for introductions.  Surely, part of that is because it’s the start of a new season, but part of it has to be credited to Chizik and his staff for getting this team to buy into his philosophy and “system”.  What more can Auburn fans ask for than a team that plays hard, believes in the plan, and has an innovative offense?  It’s probably not the right time to book your hotel room in Atlanta, but it’s a nice start.  It’s too bad a full-house wasn’t here to see it. 

Be sure to watch my game wrap on NBC13 HD News Sunday at 5 and 10.

Now some stats:
Passing- Chris Todd 17-26 for 255 yds and 2 TD’s (including longest play in Auburn history: 93 yd TD pass)
Rushing- Onterio McCaleb 22 rushes for 148 yds and a touchdown; Ben Tate 20 rushes for 117 yds
Receiving- Terrell Zachery 3 catches for 98 yds and a TD; Mario Fannin 8 catches for 82 yds

Auburn 8 of 13 on 3rd down conversions and 4 for 5 in the Red Zone.

8:29 The Chris Todd to Terrell Zachery pass play of 93 yards was the longest play in Auburn history.  It went for a touchdown to give Auburn a 20-10 lead.  Auburn’s defense has stiffened up to force La. Tech to punt on two straight possessions.  LA Tech has gone punt, INT, punt, punt so far this half.  And just like that, Wes Byrum hits a 48 yard field goal to make it 23-10 Auburn.

8:02
First half stats:
Rushing:
Tate 10 rushes, 52 yds, 1 Fumble
Passing:
Todd 6-10 72 yds
Receiving:
Fannin 4 catches 58 yds

Auburn:
11 First downs
199 yds total offense

Halftime, 13-10 Auburn

The Good:
-Offense seems innovative and is having no trouble running the ball
-Offense doesn’t appear to have any jitters—just one false start as far as I can recall
-Wes Byrum was a MAN in nailing that 49-yarder to close the half
-Chris Todd hasn’t made many mistakes
-Ben Tate crosses 2,000 yard plateau
-4 of 6 on third down
-Defense only gave up one TD

The Bad:
-Penalties: 5 for 65 yards for Auburn including a questionable Pass interference and some dumb facemask penalties
-Scoring field goals instead of touchdowns
-Ben Tate fumble at the 6 yd line
-Defense seems to be soft in coverage at times
-Hundreds of Auburn fans showed up dressed as empty seats.  Really?  When your new coach makes his debut???  C’mon Auburn fans, this isn’t the way to shed your front-runner reputation.

Bottom line: Auburn should take control in the second half, but if they keep sputtering in the red zone (like last year) La. Tech could be ripe for the upset.

7:19 Auburn’s defense is being stung by accurate precision passing, decent running and a string of bad penalties.  Just when it looks like the D has La. Tech stopped, there seems to always be a big play or penalty to keep the chains moving.  La. Tech’s Ross Jenkins didn’t throw his first incompletion until late in the 2nd quarter.  Auburn’s last offensive drive looked promising until Ben Tate fumbled near the 10 yard line.  Auburn’s doing just enough to keep La. Tech in the game, and that’s dangerous the deeper we get into this one. 

6:42 Strong offensive possession for Auburn… lots of run, with a big 26 yard pass from Todd to Fannin mixed in.  Kodi Burns took the TD in from under center.  The offense right now looks to be run-first, control the clock, and pass when necessary.  The Tigers are giving a lot of different looks on offense with Burns playing QB and WR.  Ben Tate also has become the 13th Auburn rusher to reach 2,000 career yards.  10-7 Auburn after 1.

6:30 Auburn’s defense was actually playing well on that first LA. Tech drive, but you know what they say about penalties.  Two facemask penalties and a pass interference lead to an incredible in-traffic catch for the La. Tech TD.  The pass interference might have been a bad call.  The ball was way over the receiver’s head, but what can you do if you’re Gene Chizik?

6:15 Auburn settles for a field goal in its first offensive possession.  The Tigers moved the ball from their own 23 yard line and looked pretty good in the process before the drive stalled out.  Kodi Burns was on the field a good bit, both under center and as a wide-out.  Opening drive featured mostly runs.  Only one or two attempted passes.  3-0 Auburn.

5:45 Greetings from the pressbox at Jordan-Hare Stadium where Auburn is just 15 minutes away from kicking off the 2009 campaign.  Check back here for thoughts and analysis throughout the game… and follow me on Twitter for instant updates.