Auburn fans are frustrated and the football team is hurting after suffering a devastating loss in Baton Rouge Saturday. No doubt it was a game that everyone would like to have back. But that’s not going to happen. The best medicine for that kind of hurt is winning games.
If the Tigers are going to have a chance to get over it and still make something out of this season it’s going to have start this Saturday in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Gus takes the blame.
Speaking of that hurt, Coach Malzahn responded to the fans’ frustration with the LSU loss in his weekly press conference. The fifth year coach shouldered the blame:
“We’ve got great fans, and our fans are very passionate,” Malzahn said. “Our fans want to win championships, and they should. Any time you blow a 20-point lead on the road, they should be frustrated. And I’m frustrated also. But I just want to say this – I’ve got good coaches, I’ve got good players, and any time that happens, that’s on the head coach and that’s on me. That can’t happen again. It’s not going to happen again. But I take full responsibility.”
Another Player Leaves the Team
On Tuesday Auburn Wide Receiver Kyle Davis became the third Auburn player to leave the program this year. Shortly after Gus Malzahn announced the sophomore had been dismissed for breaking team rules Davis posted on Instagram saying he wanted to, “Thank coach Malzahn, Auburn football and the Auburn family for giving me the opportunity to be a part of an amazing football program and learning institution. I request that the media respect me and my family’s privacy moving forward. Auburn will always have a place in my heart.”
The dismissal shouldn’t be a surprise as Davis has been dealing with personal issues since arriving on the Plains and failed to make the trip to Baton Rouge. He was also one of three players suspended for the first game of the season this year. Davis only had seven receptions this year but was probably the team’s best deep threat. However, the Tigers should be okay with Darius Slayton averaging 22.29 yards per catch, Will Hastings 20.94 and Nate Craig-Myers 19.75.
Players receive national honors.
Auburn soccer forward Kristen Dodson has become the first player in Auburn history to be named twice as National Player of the Week. TopDrawerSoccer.com recognized the senior after she recorded her sixth career brace and third of the season against Alabama and her 10th career game-winning goal against No. 10 Florida.
Also on Tuesday Auburn offensive lineman Braden Smith and cornerback Carlton Davis were both named to the second team Midseason All-America Team. It was the second time for Smith to be recognize by the AP, the senior was named first-team All-SEC last season. Expect to see him playing on Sundays next year.
Walking Wounded.
After seven games without and off week the Auburn football team is pretty beat up. Several players are less than 100 percent heading into this week’s road game at Arkansas.
Key players on both sides of the ball may not see action. In addition to Kamryn Pettway’s season long foot and leg issues, offensive guard Mike Horton is doubtful and coach Malzahn said yesterday that center Casey Dunn will not play.
Safety and defensive leader Tray Matthews who went out in the first quarter of the LSU game will most likely not be ready Saturday. Also linebacker Tre’ Williams is still doubtful after missing three of the last four games with a shoulder injury.
At this point in the season, the Tigers are in desperate need of two things. One – getting healthy and two – returning to the win column.
Beat Arkansas!
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