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Things are finally starting to look up for Will Muschamp.
Nine games into his first season as Auburn’s defensive coordinator, he witnessed his group’s best performance of the season in last week’s 26-10 win at Texas A&M.
The Tigers allowed a season-low 303 yards while forcing Kyler Murray into 3 interceptions before knocking the Aggies’ starting QB out of the game with a hit to the head in the third quarter. What made Muschamp’s day even better was the fact that defensive end Carl Lawson, who missed all or part of seven games with a hip injury, also had his best game of the season with 5 total tackles while helping Auburn force A&M to turn the ball over on downs twice.
Justin Garrett credits Muschamp with saying the right things that fired up Auburn’s seniors on defense going into last week’s game.
“He gives a good pep speech,” the senior linebacker said of Muschamp. “We were kind of sad after the loss last week, and he came in and told the seniors this is your last away game. None of the seniors were thinking about that it’s the last time we get to wear that white jersey this season. We came out ready to practice that Tuesday with a lot of energy. Even though we were sad that Sunday, we realized our time was ticking down.”
Despite last week’s outing, during which the Tigers held Texas A&M to 7 points in three trips to the red zone, Auburn is still last in the SEC in total defense, allowing 431 yards per game. The Tigers are also near the bottom of the league in sacks, third-down defense and explosive plays allowed. But that hasn’t deterred Muschamp as he and Auburn make their move toward a bowl game starting with Saturday’s home game against Georgia.
“You go through the last two games and having every opportunity in the world to win the game, especially on defense, and we didn’t get it done,” Muschamp said, referring to Auburn’s last two defeats — a 54-46 loss to Arkansas in four overtimes on Oct. 24 followed by its 27-19 setback at Ole Miss on Halloween. “Those guys continue to persevere and push through, and I’m very proud of them.”
Coincidentally, the Tigers have given Muschamp several reasons to be proud. Auburn has forced 11 turnovers over the last five games, including 2 interceptions inside the 20-yard line last week, which has helped it move into the upper half of the SEC in terms of red zone defense. Even though the Tigers are still allowing opponents to score 79 percent of the time when they get inside the 20, Muschamp likes what he has seen from his players over the last month.
“We’ve certainly improved, but we’ve improved ourselves from the open week on,” Muschamp said, referring to the stretch of games that began with Auburn’s 30-27 win at Kentucky on Oct. 15. “We’ve gotten better each week. Now, the stats may not indicate that. That’s fine. I’ve coached football a long time. I know there’s been improvement.”
Fifth-year senior linebacker Kris Frost, who is playing for his fourth defensive coordinator at Auburn, feels that the change from Ellis Johnson to Muschamp has been a good one for him and his teammates.
“I feel like I’ve learned a lot from all the defensive coordinators that have come through here, and I’ve definitely learned a lot from coach Muschamp and everything that he’s done for me and everything he’s done for us collectively as a defense,” Frost said. “I definitely feel like I’m a better player now as far as mentally, physically and just knowing how to play the game and knowing how to go about things preparing, leading up to the game.”
“The defense is getting better and better,” Threat said. “The games I’ve been to and that I’ve watched on TV, you can see that improvement and progression. I’m really looking forward to it. I can’t wait to see how they play this weekend against Georgia,” added Threat, who plans to attend what would be his fourth Auburn game of the year.
So with Muschamp and his defense coming off their best performance of the season — and with Auburn just one win away from clinching bowl eligibility with three home games left, including two winnable ones — the Tigers have a chance to make something of their season, which isn’t too shabby when you consider how up and down their 2015 season has been.
Stan Chrapowicki is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers SEC football, Alabama and Auburn.
