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Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Looking Back: Jeris McIntyre

In honor of former Auburn Tiger football player following the blog and also following the blog on Twitter, we thought we would share some of our more memorable moments that include #81

War Eagle!





His first TD as a Tiger



Jonathan Mincy Talks w/ Media

I am well pleased that Gus Malzahn has opened up the access to the players, and that Malzahn himself has spent more time with the media. Gone for the most part, are the days of coach speak and dancing around the questions.

You will be impressed with young Jonathan Mincy. In case you can not see the video, here is the LINK.

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Malzahn Previews Washington State

Coach Malzahn met with the media today and previewed Washington State.

LINK is here.

It's Almost Time

Auburn Sports: Cross Country

Rick's Take: It's Finally Here


 
It's that time of year again! The college football season is upon us. No more Saturdays without the pageantry that is the game of college football. And while many will be excited to see any team play I am only excited about one. My Auburn Tigers. 
     Saturday can not get here soon enough. The tailgate has been planned. The food and drinks purchased. And on Saturday we will sit around and watch a few games, maybe venture out to other tailgates, and wait for the only game that matters. Auburn vs Washington St. 
   
Game One

     Going into the game Auburn has been installed as a 14.5 point favorite. A rather large line seeing as how we are coming off a 3-9 season but as new head coach Gus Malzhan has said it's a brand new day at Auburn. I fully expect to see a drastically different team than the one that took the field last season. The offense should be drastically improved from the train wreck we saw last year. The defense should show some improvement over the quasi-defense displayed over the course of the 2012 season. If the defense can hold opponents to an average of 21 points or less this team could be the surprise team of the season. 

So Many Questions

     Going into the game against Washington St there is a plethora of questions that are on the minds of Tiger fans everywhere. Will Nick Marshall live up to the hype? Will the O-Line be able to give him time to throw and create lanes for a quality stable of running backs? Can the receivers step up and make the plays? Will the defensive tackles get a push and stop the run. Do we have any SEC caliber linebackers? What about the safety position? I figure the only positions which are going to be solid from the start are place kicking and punting. The rest? Well we will just have to show up and see. 

6:00 Saturday August 31

     87,000+ will file in to Jordan-Hare Stadium to witness the kickoff of the season. We will scream, cheer, groan, laugh, and love our Tigers. We will be fans whether we win or lose and at the end of the game we will file out of the stadium and head to wherever it is we are going. The team will exit the stadium and and begin preparations for game 2. And all will be right with the world. After all it's college football season again.
 
War Eagle!
 
by: Rick Palmedo

Monday, August 26, 2013

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Tigers Hold Clemson To Scoreless Tie

Auburn hosted Clemson in soccer last night. Our girls fought valiantly and kept the visiting Tigers scoreless.



The Auburn soccer team will travel to play FSU Sunday. The match will start at noon, and will be aired on ESPN3.com

Thursday, August 22, 2013

You Were There: The Most Important Game


There was a lot to take away from this game, and from the season leading up to this game. Never had any team had to endure such criticism, and so much scrutiny. Never had any player had so many attacks on his character that frankly, was a "bunch of garbage." 

 That quote from Gene Chizik while standing up for Cam Newton, was at the pinnacle of the melee that had befell  that Tiger squad. For all the criticism that Gene Chizik has received since then, he was a rock in a storm that threatened to tear the Auburn family to shreds. His stalwart stance against all those claiming to be professional media, all the while flinging false allegations at him and his staff, is the stuff of legends. He earned this writers respect forever by simply standing up for his player and not allowing that team to fall apart amidst all the garbage.

 Auburn had, by most standards, a less than stellar defense. Although after the first quarter of the Alabama game, that very same defense played lights out leading up to this game. Many thought that it would be the defense that would keep Auburn from claiming the ultimate prize in college football. That same defense held the high scoring Oregon offense to just 19 points.

 If there was a dependable spot on this Auburn group , it was the special teams play including that from both the kicker and the punter. Wes Byrum had continually shown that he was clutch towards the end of a game.

 In one magical season, against the odds, and in the face of continual attacks from outside the football stadiums, this Auburn team rose to the top. This Auburn team delivered what many before it had never been able to. For whatever reason, all the cards fell into place.

 There was even an Eagle flyover before the game started. Looking back, how could we ever have doubted that we would win it all? It was only the most important game of this generation.

WAR EAGLE!

HIGHLIGHTS



FULL GAME

Coach Hoppa: Soccer Report

Malzahn Talks Thursday Practice

 Great news! Justin Garrett practiced today, and was "moving around well."


Post practice video brought to you courtesy of AL.com

Auburn Basketball: Bahamas Team Bonding


AU Basketball coachTony Barbee

 It is a wonderful thing for any team to be together as one, on the court. This off season Auburn basketball coach Tony Barbee has tried some unique and innovative ways to get his team to gel together away from the court.

 Let's watch as the team spends time in the Bahamas.

 


Auburn Soccer to Host Clemson


Auburn Soccer will host the Clemson Tigers Friday at the AU Soccer complex. Free hot dogs for the first 100 students. There will be an autograph session afterwards.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Keys to Success: Defensive Line


 Coach Rodney Garner is a driven, vocal man. His intensity and drive are hard to equal. He has a tall task in coaching Auburn's defensive line. 

The single most unproductive part of any Auburn defense the last two seasons has been the defensive front. It's not a secret, the wars are won in the SEC at the line of scrimmage. Auburn flat out has not been getting the job done on the defensive side of the ball.

 I can remember during some of Coach Tommy Tubberville's days at AU we would not always have a great offense. The defense however was almost always dependable and usually, play on that side of the ball was rock solid. "Defense" it is said "wins championships" yes, you have to score points, but the name of the game is keeping the opposing offense on the sideline. This allows your offense more chances to score those precious points.

 This season, the Auburn defensive front must have a different attitude if they are to be successful against their opponents. Aggression, speed, and intensity all must be ratcheted up a couple of notches. In other words they have to play with a nasty attitude. A mean streak, if you will.  If any of their task master's traits rub off, they will do just that!

WAR EAGLE!

the following videos are compliments of wareagleextra.com

 

 



Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Keys To Success: Linebacker

 If Auburn is to have any defensive success at all this season it will depend largely on the play of its linebackers. This position has been a sore spot with the fans recently. 

 Since the 2010 season, we have not had steady play at linebacker, and our record hasn't been good at all against our rivals. 

 Gone with Josh Bynes, and Craig Stevens are the days of real dependability. Things were so bad during the last two seasons we had to depend on a converted Safety in Daren Bates to be the starter.
 Bates did turn in the defensive play of the year last season.



 One player the Auburn faithful are hoping will finally give us that rock solid play making ability is Cassanova McKinzy. Here is a video of McKinzy with the media via AUHD.



Last Practice of Fall Camp

Auburn wound up the fall camp with a practice session, and running the offense at full speed. Gus Malzahn met with the media afterward. He indicated that the offense had their best practice of the camp, saying "I told our offense, it was their best rhythm" since he arrived back on campus.
 

Corey Grant was also interviewed by AUHD
 

The season is upon us. One week from Saturday night we enjoy the pageantry of college football on the plains of Auburn, Alabama. It's going to be a long week and a half.

WAR EAGLE!

Auburn Sports Report

Auburn's SEC TV Schedule Released

 The upcoming basketball season will be full of televised games. The SEC released it's SEC basketball schedule earlier today, and we have the goods.

 Nothing is like being at the game, but  this television schedule will help all of us that can't make it to Auburn to watch our Tigers play.


2013-14 Auburn Men's Basketball SEC Schedule
Date Opponent Location Time (CT) / Network
Jan. 9 at Ole Miss Oxford, Miss. 6pm (ESPN/2)
Jan. 11 Missouri Auburn 1pm (ESPNU)
Jan. 15 at Tennessee Knoxville, Tenn. 6pm (CSS)
Jan. 18 Florida Auburn 3pm (SEC Network)
Jan. 22 at Mississippi State Starkville, Miss. TBD (ESPN3)
Jan. 25 at Arkansas Fayetteville, Ark. 5pm (FSN)
Jan. 29 Alabama Auburn 7pm (SEC Network)
Feb. 1 Georgia Auburn 12:30pm (SEC Network)
Feb. 5 at South Carolina Columbia, S.C. TBD (ESPN3)
Feb. 8 at LSU Baton Rouge, La. 3pm (SEC Network)
Feb. 12 Kentucky Auburn 7pm (SEC Network)
Feb. 15 Mississippi State Auburn 12:30pm (SEC Network)
Feb. 19 at Florida Gainesville, Fla. 6pm (FSN)
Feb. 22 Vanderbilt Auburn 5pm (FSN)
Feb. 26 South Carolina Auburn 8pm (FSN)
Mar. 1 at Alabama Tuscaloosa, Ala. 2pm (ESPNU)
Mar. 5 Tennessee Auburn 7pm (SEC Network)
Mar. 8 at Texas A&M College Station, Texas 3pm (SEC Network)
Mar. 12-16 SEC Tournament Atlanta, Ga. TBA

Meet AU's New Assistant Soccer Coach James Armstrong

HERE IS THE LINK

Rhett Lashlee Talks QB's and More

 Offensive Coordinator Rhett Lashlee meets with the media for the first time since the naming of Nick Marshall as starting QB. His discussions include injuries, the unselfish actions of Rudy Ford, and the most memorable play from Marshall thus far.

Thanks to AL.com for the video. Here is the Link.

Monday, August 19, 2013

Ellis Johnson Talks Injuries

Thanks to AL.com for the video.

TEAM: What It Means

T- together
E- everyone
A- achieves
M- much

 Recent memory tells us the position change of one player for the good of the team, can unite that team even more. 

 It can create a brotherhood of players that are willing to sacrifice ones goals and desires for the good of the entire team. It creates a true bond among fellow team mates.

The recent rash of player position moves indicates the willingness to maintain that team cohesiveness. I could not be more proud of these young men.

 In my opinion, Johnathan Rudy Ford has made that exact sacrifice. He gave up a chance to play at the running back position, at a place known as Running Back University! 

Brings to mind someone else who recently gave up the chance to play QB, and instead learned to play WR. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Kodi Burns.

Jonathan Wallace Named Second Team


Gus Malzahn made things very clear with regards to the quarterback situation, and depth chart. Jonathan Wallace will be the second team QB, and the "go to" guy if needed. 
Malzahn praised Wallace and true Freshman Jeremy Johnson for their fall camp efforts.

"We ask a lot of our QB's, probably as much or more than anybody else in the country" Malzahn stated.

Thanks to AuburnUndercover for the video.




Let's Get Ready To Rumble: Part 2

2013 AUBURN FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Overall
0-0
Conf.
0-0
Home
0-0
Away
0-0
Date Game Location Time
08/31/13 vs. Washington State TV Auburn 6:00 PM CT
09/07/13 vs. Arkansas State TV Auburn 6:30 PM CT
09/14/13 vs. Mississippi State TV Auburn 6:00 PM CT
09/21/13 at LSU Baton Rouge TBA
10/05/13 vs. Ole Miss Auburn TBA
10/12/13 vs. Western Carolina (HC) Auburn TBA
10/19/13 at Texas A&M College Station TBA
10/26/13 vs. Florida Atlantic Auburn TBA
11/02/13 at Arkansas Fayetteville TBA
11/09/13 at Tennessee Knoxville TBA
11/16/13 vs. Georgia Auburn TBA
11/30/13 vs. Alabama Auburn TBA

  •  When we last looked at the schedule and how I think Auburn will fare, I had us winning 3 and losing 1(LSU). That gets us to the Bye Week, and a chance to get some people healed after what will surely be a physical game in Baton Rouge.

     Let's look at the middle part of the schedule, and what will be the easiest stretch of games in 2013.  Only one of those two conference games will be on the road, hence the aforementioned "easiest stretch".

     Ole Miss
      The Rebel Black Bears have improved dramatically under the guidance of their head coach, Hugh Freeze. After going Bowl-less since 2009, Freeze had the program in a Bowl game in his first season. 

     More than 20 Seniors return for the RBB's which is always a good thing for any program. Add into the mix that percentages indicate the second year of any staff "should" lead to much improved play on the field. Ole Miss will not be a pushover.

     Auburn will have the advantage here though, in that they are at home, and after 4 games into the schedule, the offense should be gaining a lot of momentum. In my mind this game is a toss up. In that situation, I always defer to the home team. Auburn 27 Ole Miss 24 in OT

     Western Carolina
      The last thing I want to do is talk down about any team. After all the Northern Illinois team taught us that anything is possible.
     Cinderella won't be making an appearance this day. Auburn has its homecoming, and wins BIG!

     Texas A & M
    OH boy! 
  •  Last year Auburn was embarrassed at home by the Aggies, and eventual Heisman Award winner Johnny Manziel. The AU defense gave up the most points at home in the modern era.
  • Rob Pate, then of Eyes On Auburn sports blog had this to pen:
  •   A game plan shredded on both sides of the ball. Execution extinct. Pride nonexistent. Effort questionable at best. The most defunct Auburn football team in the history of Auburn football sunk to a new low Saturday night which is sure to usher in sweeping changes throughout the athletics department.

  •   Rob turned out to be exact in his remarks about the sweeping changes that have come since then. 
  •  
  •  This year, the question that will be asked is: Have the Tigers come far enough back to compete with the likes of Texas A & M? 
  •  
  •  Head football coach Kevin Sumlin has had success with first year QB's, so whether or not Manziel plays is of no consequence. The lack of Senior experience, and leadership will be the deciding factor. I give Auburn the edge in that department.
  •  
  •  If I am right, and Auburn is 5-1 coming into this game, they should be ranked in the Top 25, and the game should be a night game. Kyle Field is an electric place to watch a football game, and those Auburn fans that travel will enjoy themselves. At least, for the most part. 
  •  
  •  I see this game as a really close, high scoring affair, and with the Aggies at home they have the victory 38 -35

  • Florida Atlantic
  •  See Western Carolina, subtract Homecoming, and Auburn still wins BIG!
  • Next issue we will finish the season projections, and look at where we may play our Bowl Game. Yes! I guarantee Auburn will go Bowling this year, maybe even the first part of next year. ( wink )

  • WAR EAGLE!



Lee & Gabe Gross



Saturday, August 17, 2013

Tim Hudson Talks w/ AUHD



Nick Marshall Named Stater

Nick Marshall photo courtesy of Auburn Undercover

In a press release by the Auburn Athletics Department today, Gus Malzahn  has tabbed Nick Marshall as the starter at the QB position.

Here are several links on this story:
 http://auburn.247sports.com/Article/Gus-Malzahn-names-Nick-Marshall-Auburns-starting-quarterback-144608

http://www.al.com/auburnfootball/index.ssf/2013/08/final_decision_nick_marshall_n.html

http://www.wareagleextra.com/2013/08/17/auburn-football-nick-marshall-named-starting-quarterback/

Now we will find out what his coaches have known for quite some time.
War Eagle!

Jeff Whitaker Interview

Thursday, August 15, 2013

AU Campus Tour 2013

You Were There: The Greatest Comeback

 Many things have been written about this particular football game. None of which could ever do justice to the way those gallant men wearing the road whites, trimmed in Orange and Blue, fought and never gave up. 

 We would have to reach deep into other situations of life to find examples of the courage and determination exemplified by the Auburn football team that day. Stories of gallantry abound in our history books. General Patton leading our fighting men into battle.  The dashing young Prince who risked his future Kingdom for the life of the fair maiden. Seldom do we get to witness such gallantry in real life. Even more rare to witness in a time without some sort of disaster, natural or unnatural unfolding at the same time.

 I'm not comparing the come from behind victory to the saving of a human life, but from a football perspective, the lives of those Auburn men that day were rescued by their determination to never look at a situation at it's face value. Look for what needs to be done in order to overcome the situation. Overcome is exactly what they did!

 Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you the greatest come from behind, against all odds game in Auburn football history.

Here is the LINK.




Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Tuesday Post Practice Video

Thanks to our good friend WarEagleExtra.com, we can bring you these informative media sessions with Sammie Coates, Reese Dismukes, and Coach Lashlee. 




Coach Karen Hoppa

Interview w/ C.J. Uzomah

QB Race Narrowing Down

Gus Malzahn held a press conference yesterday announcing some interesting changes in the QB race.
 

 Below is a video provided by AL.com of the announcement from Coach Malzahn. Here is the LINK

Monday, August 12, 2013

Jason Dufner: PGA Champion!

photo courtesy of PGA tour

Former Auburn team golfer Jason Dufner had a great weekend. He started it with a record tying 63 on Friday, and he several chances for an even lower score.

In the final round, Dufner shot 3 under par on the front nine holes, and held on to win. He told reporters last night that he never really let himself think he had the tournament won until Jim Furyk bogeyed the final hole. He knew he had three putts to win on the 18th green.

"This win is for all the Auburn family" Dufner said.

Here is the AUficial website video link of his arrival back in Auburn last night.

Fan Day 2013

Auburn Cheerleaders, and athletes from all sports were on hand to greet the fans. Photo courtesy of AL.com


The Auburn Tigers held their annual Fan Day yesterday and we video and links galore. Enjoy! 



Here is the official website video link. 

Cameron Artis-Payne & Tre Mason
Kiehl Frazier & Jonathan Wallace
Montravius Adams



Here is the link



Thursday, August 8, 2013

Auburn Volleyball Starts Practice


2013 AU Volleyball photo courtesy of AU Official website
The Auburn Volleyball team has begun it's preseason practices for the upcoming season. With six Seniors on the squad this year, the goals have been raised to include championships. That's right, with an "s" Championships! 

As Rick Nold enters his third season, nine of the thirteen home matches will be held in the Auburn Arena. A very welcome change. Below is the schedule.

Here we have a video from AUHD of the first practice.



2013 AUBURN VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE
Overall
0-0
Conf.
0-0
Home
0-0
Away
0-0
Neutral
0-0
Date Opponent / Event Location Time / Result
Billiken Invitational
08/30/13 at Saint Louis St. Louis, Mo. 7:00 p.m.
08/31/13 vs. Nebraska St. Louis, Mo. 10:00 a.m.
vs. Louisiana-Monroe St. Louis, Mo. 4:30 p.m.
09/01/13 at SIU Edwardsville Edwardsville, Ill. 12:30 p.m.
Active Ankle Challenge
09/05/13 Troy vs. Green Bay Auburn, Ala. (Student Act) 12:00 p.m.
Troy vs. Mercer Auburn, Ala. (Student Act) 5:00 p.m.
vs. Green Bay Auburn, Ala. (Student Act) 7:00 p.m.
09/06/13 vs. Mercer Auburn, Ala. (Student Act) 12:00 p.m.
Mercer vs. Green Bay Auburn, Ala. (Student Act) 5:00 p.m.
vs. Troy Auburn, Ala. (Student Act) 7:00 p.m.
09/09/13 at Jacksonville State Jacksonville, Ala. 6:00 p.m.
Shamrock Invitational
09/13/13 vs. Oakland Notre Dame, Ind. 3:30 p.m.
09/14/13 vs. Loyola Notre Dame, Ind. 9:30 a.m.
at Notre Dame Notre Dame, Ind. 6:30 p.m.
09/21/13 vs. Florida State Auburn, Ala. (Auburn Arena) 12:00 p.m.
09/27/13 vs. Kentucky * Auburn, Ala. (Auburn Arena) 7:00 p.m.
10/02/13 vs. Alabama * Auburn, Ala. (Auburn Arena) 7:00 p.m.
10/04/13 at Missouri * Columbia, Mo. 7:00 p.m.
10/06/13 at Arkansas * Fayetteville, Ark. 1:30 p.m.
10/13/13 at Ole Miss * Oxford, Miss. 1:30 p.m.
10/18/13 vs. LSU * Auburn, Ala. (Auburn Arena) 7:00 p.m.
10/20/13 vs. Texas A&M * Auburn, Ala. (Auburn Arena) 1:30 p.m.
10/25/13 at Florida * Gainesville, Fla. 6:00 p.m.
10/27/13 at South Carolina * Columbia, S.C. 12:30 p.m.
11/01/13 at Tennessee * Knoxville, Tenn. 6:00 p.m.
11/03/13 vs. Mississippi State * Auburn, Ala. (Auburn Arena) 1:30 p.m.
11/08/13 vs. Missouri * Auburn, Ala. (Student Act) 7:00 p.m.
11/10/13 vs. Arkansas * Auburn, Ala. (Auburn Arena) 1:30 p.m.
11/15/13 at LSU * Baton Rouge, La. 7:00 p.m.
11/17/13 at Texas A&M * College Station, Texas 1:00 p.m.
11/22/13 vs. Tennessee * Auburn, Ala. (Auburn Arena) 7:00 p.m.
11/24/13 vs. Ole Miss * Auburn, Ala. (Auburn Arena) 1:30 p.m.
11/27/13 at Georgia * Athens, Ga. 4:00 p.m.
NCAA Tournament
12/05/13 NCAA First/Second Rounds TBA TBA
12/06/13 NCAA First/Second Rounds TBA TBA
12/07/13 NCAA First/Second Rounds TBA TBA
12/08/13 NCAA First/Second Rounds TBA TBA
12/13/13 NCAA Regionals TBA TBA
12/14/13 NCAA Regionals TBA TBA
12/19/13 NCAA Semifinals Seattle, Wash. TBA
12/21/13 NCAA Championship Seattle, Wash. TBA