Week One Evaluations Everyone can let out a collective sigh now…o.k. now that we've got that out of our system let's take a quick look back at what was an impressive Auburn win against Washington St. A game that many worried about turned out to be a rout. However, it was a rout not without a few concerns. But let's start with the good. It appears this team has tremendous chemistry. Of course, it's too early to pass final judgment, but with 21 seniors you would expect the chemistry to be good. Coach Tuberville made note of the chemistry after the game, stating running backs coach Eddie Gran thought they had something special…let's hope he's right. Auburn's kickers game were spectacular. Seniors John Vaughn, Kody Bliss, and Matt Clark all played a big role in the Tigers victory. It was great to see Vaughn hit on four-of-five field goals while setting not one but two new career longs. Bliss was not needed much but when called upon delivered. Matt Clark sent seven of nine kickoffs for touchbacks…so much for the shorter tee. Auburn's offensive front paved the way for a dominating rushing attack led by SEC Offensive Player of the Week Kenny Irons. The senior from Dacula, Georgia ran for 183 yards and the Tigers ground game put 293 total yards on the board. The Auburn defense was solid, shutting down a Washington State offense that was one of the best in the nation last year to just 274 yards on the night. The Cougars could only mount two sustained drives the entire game. Now, the things that still need some tweaking. Auburn's offense bogged down on it's first four possessions. Thank goodness for John Vaughn. Without those four field goals the game could have been much different. Also, Brandon Cox, while solid, admittedly was not at his sharpest with a handful of poorly thrown balls. Defensively, the Tigers missed on some assignments in the secondary. The large number of new faces back there I'm sure had something to do with that. However, as athletic and fast the secondary is that is an area that should get better quickly. On special teams, the punt return game could have been better. Robert Dunn seeing his first extended action back there in single safety managed just four yards per return. You really would like to be somewhere in the neighborhood of seven to ten yards per return. Don't get me wrong the good far outweighed the not so good Saturday night. But there was enough to keep the players attention as they prepared for their SEC opener against Mississippi State this Saturday. It looks like a game where Auburn's offense will be tested against a salty Bulldog defense. The question will be can State muster up any offense of it's own against the speedy Auburn defense. I always like our trips to Starkville…the cowbells make it fun. But then again I've always been a fan of more cowbell. Until next time, War Eagle and so long everybody!
Rod In 2006, Rod Bramblett enters his fourth season as the play-by-play voice for Tiger football and men's basketball. In 1998, Rod Bramblett began serving as the host for the Auburn Network's weekly call-in show Tiger Talk. In addition, Bramblett has been the voice of Auburn baseball since 1993. The Valley, Ala. native also serves as co-host on the Auburn Football Preview Show & host on the Auburn Football Review and the Auburn Basketball Review show. An Auburn graduate, Bramblett is Director of Broadcast Services for the Auburn Network, where he is responsible for coordination of the network's affiliate relations and audio production. |
  
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