Auburn Tigers
AUBURN, Ala. - Florida and Auburn run versions of the spread offense. But Tennessee also got a preview of Auburn's defense last Saturday against the Gators.
It's not about scheme. It's about speed.
The Gators flashed it repeatedly in a 30-6 victory at Neyland Stadium.
It was evident in their secondary. And it was even more apparent when their linebackers ran down UT running backs from the backside.
Auburn might not have one defender as dominant as Florida middle linebacker Brandon Spikes, but it has invariably fielded one of the fastest defenses in the SEC under coach Tommy Tuberville. This year is no exception.
"This is as good as we've ever been in terms of speed," Tuberville said after Thursday's practice.
Auburn's speed is usually most obvious at defensive end, where it's willing to sacrifice size for speed. Its top four defensive ends all weigh in the 250- to 260-pound range.
Junior Antonio Coleman, who is tied for the SEC lead in sacks, is Auburn's most prominent pass rusher. Backup defensive end Gabe McKenzie also had an impact against LSU.
McKenzie had a tackle for loss and returned a deflected pass 24 yards for a touchdown. A converted tight end, McKenzie ran like someone who had experience carrying a football.
"It was his idea," Tuberville said of the position switch. "He asked us if he would play more at defensive end and I said he would."
McKenzie, who had a game-wining touchdown pass against Kansas State last year, made the switch in preseason and has thrived at the new position.
Auburn also relies on smaller, faster linebackers. True freshman Spencer Pybus is a good example of that.
Pybus, who is a lifelong Auburn fan from Dothan, Ala., is 6-foot, 207 pounds, but looks smaller. He said his size apparently scared off most recruiters.
Two days before the signing date, his only scholarship offer was from North Alabama. The next day, Duke offered him a scholarship. So did Auburn, which was more interested in his speed than lack of size.
Pybus was good enough to play as a backup against LSU, and almost sacked quarterback Jarrett Lee on a touchdown pass.
"He's running around trying to learn on the run," Tuberville said of Pybus.
Tray Blackmon, a second-team All-SEC pick in preseason, is another speed guy at linebacker. Blackmon, who's listed at 211 pounds, led the Tigers with eight tackles against LSU.
Blackmon is Auburn's second-leading tackler. He also has two sacks and two tackles for loss.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
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Comments » 10
BIGEJ writes:
From ESPN; Bottom 10; "As for the highly coveted No. 5 spot, we found the perfect Volunteers. Losing to Florida normally wouldn't mean a week in the Bottom 10's most honored position, but Tennessee has three factors in its favor. First, the Vols were blown out at home by their rivals. Secondly, the fans started abandoning Neyland Stadium by halftime. Finally, we noticed what's happened to UCLA since the Bruins beat UT."
Sad...GO VOLS
Bigger_Al writes:
What do UT fans' habits share with the US Ryder Cup team?
Boo Weekly.
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
First the vols were blown out at home(did you expect anything less? (actually we almost scored 2 more times). I mean if we had lost by 6 or 10 points then that would have been OK? Second, like rats leaving a sinking ship, you must identify yourself with rats, i choose not to(I will remain on the ship). I must believe in chivalry or patriotism, something like leadership, i don't know. 3d, UCLA is not beating anybody but us, OK so we are no good. OK do we have to win every game, and have winning seasons every year? Paterno, Charley Weiss, Spurrier??? We gonna fire all the good coaches just because they can't win 'em all?? You know parity exists and also their are a lot of good coaches coming along(Bruce Pearl, etc.) and football also are rising in the ranks. Look at women's coaching, Pat's gonna coach herself out of a championship some day, because everyone wants to be us(Tenn) , etc. So Fulmer has done the same thing, he won so many games, the rest of the SEC has had to hire the best best coaches to try to beat him. And last year he won the east, and almost beat LSU. And you morons want his head. You people are crazy and live in paper bags. So UCLA beat us, you guys never lost something you should have succeeded at?? Careful we do not add hypocrisy to our carping.
clausenforheisman writes:
Who Cares About Auburn's Speed?!!!
Fire Pete Carroll!!! McKnight Fumbled!!!! Sanchez threw an inteception!!!! This program is headed downhill!!! Fire all the coaches!!!! Replace them with Spurrier or some guy from the ACC!!!! Bench All the Players!!!! No more top notch recruits for us!!!!! I've been a season ticket holder for 100 years and I'm sick and tired of it!!!! It's all about me!!!!! BOOOOOOOO BOOOOOO
Oops sorry, thought this was the USC message boards. Good luck to the Vols against Auburn and their speed.
luckymacy#423360 writes:
About that USC loss last night. Hilariously funny how the Fulmer supporters try to spin this into "please accept our mediocre coach" message. Fulmer isn't good enough to be an assistant coach on that team let alone a coordinator or higher.
Last night coaches on both sides of the ball did the right moves throughout the game. This was all about the players on the field executing and especially about the AMAZING EFFORTS OF A FRESHMAN RUNNING BACK, O-line and an Oregon St coaching staff smart enough to put their best players in the right spots throughout the game and kids with character enough not to quit and on either side of the ball and their ability to convince their players they were good enough to compete.
If you want to turn that into a UT coaching staff story, here's some shorts:
1) Fulmer would have never started and played a freshman running back no matter how much talent he had. He would have tried to convince him to play DB or KO/PR special teams player if Fumble Foster was on the roster as a JR/SR.
2) Fulmer would not have liked the Oregon St QB and not played him. He's not a "pro-style" QB. He's too mobile, his release is too quick, was't 'rated high enough' out of high school, he never gets that deer in the headlights look, etc.
3) Oregon State's defense allowed USC to only convert on 2 of 10 3rd down tries. Chavis and company couldn't figure out how to do that against a high school team, let alone USC. UCLAs second half comeback had a lot to do with Chavis's called defense. He's incompetent - he had an entire half to figure out how to stop a UCLA comeback and instead directly contributed to a meltdown. How many sacks does our D Line have to date?
4) Unlike Fulmer's post game excuses and hillbillyesque excuse rambling, Pete was straight up no excuses, coherent and genuine with a TV camera in his face. Somehow he pulls off a convincing "we are still damn good and we are still in the hunt for another championship" persona on TV. He's just got the right stuff and it comes out best when the chips are down. That's when it counts the most. Recruits see that. Recruits are evaluating the coaching staff and what they saw against Florida from the coaching staff is just reinforced by the boos and fan exodus. The kids can sense a ship of rats and I think they have been doing so for a long while now. I think they know the fan reaction would not be this way if this was just a one game blip. This is not just one lame year. It's a string of lame years.
pms151 writes:
We first need to hire good coaches around here before we can fire them. Don't be surprised to see Fulmer out of here in a couple of weeks. Contract or no contract. Somebody in the Haslam palace is going to remember he needs to use his gonads for once in his life. And that doesn't mean raising gas prices to hurt the peasants.
jasonn1970 writes:
There are so many points I could make about your post. But you mention leadership?? You've got to be kidding. The lack of leadership (particularly with reguards to discipline) on this football team is appalling. So far this season they have made the 2005 team look good. I would be shocked if we saw anything different tommorrow.
Tennessee 10
Auburn 27
CoverOrange writes:
jasonn, Auburn won't score that much. Neither will we, but Auburn won't unless they block punts or return KOs for TDs. Oh, uh, nevermind.
GreeneVol writes:
Yall bringin me down...
Is there anything to be thankful or excited for regarding UT football? Like maybe..the chance for an upset? Anyone at all?
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Know how you feel. Believe we will contest hotly for 3-4 series and then settle into our pattern.
Aubie will adjust their defense. We got what, 55 yards on the ground vs Fla?
150 yards would have in a position to win. Just has a last slug of Grey Goose Koolade. Glad we sold all of it early. Orders have stopped.
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