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Rapid Reaction: Auburn still trending upward in win over UL-Monroe

Jessi Lee

By Jessi Lee

Published:

Here are some quick thoughts on Auburn’s easy 58-7 victory over Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday on The Plains.

What it means:

Was the win over No. 18 LSU in Week 4 just fool’s gold? Could the Tigers keep up the momentum without falling prey to their emotions in Week 5? Both of those questions were answered in Auburn’s favor as the Tigers demolished UL-Monroe the way an SEC team should defeat a Sun Belt opponent. We don’t want to speak too soon, but it looks like Auburn is finding itself, and you have to believe Mississippi State is feeling some anxiety about facing the Tigers next Saturday.

What I liked:

  • Auburn’s red zone offense showed significant improvement this week, going 4-for-4 and coming away with a touchdown on every attempt. This was the biggest area of concern for the Tigers coming into this matchup, and the fact that it was addressed very well says good things about Auburn’s future in that department.
  • Tigers RB Kerryon Johnson absolutely dominated the field. By the time the teams hit the locker room for halftime, Johnson had already achieved a career-high 127 rushing yards on 21 carries. And the only thing that slowed him down in the second half was the coaching staff’s decision to give the second string some reps.
  • Auburn QB Sean White has extended his consistency into Week 5. Since Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn settled on White as the starter, his efficiency has improved each week. Against the Warhawks, White was 14-of-17 for 239 yards and 3 total TDs — two in the air and one on the ground — before he was replaced by backup QB John Franklin III. And at least this week, he was replaced because the Tigers were up big instead of on Malzahn’s whim.
  • By the way, Franklin ran for an 80-yard TD on his first rush and threw a 39-yard TD on his first pass, both in the third quarter. That will only flare excitement among Auburn fans this coming week.

What I didn’t like:

  • It wasn’t the best idea to start throwing in second- and third-string guys before halftime. Sure, Auburn was up 28-0 at the time, but if we’re being honest, the starters still need the practice. The subbing move cost the Tigers some valuable on-the-field experience. The backups got better as the game continued, but Malzahn still jumped the gun.

Who’s the man:

Kerryon Johnson accounted for more than half of the Auburn offense. Johnson carried the ball 24 times for 146 yards and 2 TDs. Pairing his hot streak with the Tigers’ defense spells trouble for the rest of the SEC.

Key play:

After fumbling the ball away midway through the first quarter, it looked like Auburn might struggle this week. But on the very next play, LB Tre’ Williams forced a fumble on the other side, and DB Johnathan Ford recovered, not just giving the ball back to the Tigers’ offense, but also stomping out any feeling of momentum from UL-Monroe.

What’s next:

The Tigers hope to keep the heat rolling in Week 6 when they head to Starkville to take on Mississippi State in their first away game of the season. The upset over LSU was huge for Auburn, but a win over the Bulldogs will build major confidence. However, a loss to Mississippi State will likely put Malzahn back in the hot seat.

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