AUBURN - Inconsistency was theme as Auburn's football team finished its first scrimmage of preseason camp Wednesday at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Onterio McCalebb had a 65yard touchdown run
From defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder to offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler to head coach Gene Chizik, the message was the same. The Tigers did some good things on both sides of the ball, but not enough and not consistently.
Chizik said the full scrimmage, which was preceded by other drills, included approximately 65 plays.
"The 1's played pretty good," VanGorder said. "We gave up a number of explosive plays. If you have a 70-play game and you play 66 real well and give up four explosive plays, bad game. Can't do it."
"Some good things we did execution-wise and things we need to work on. We need to continue with our physical mentality and be able to run the ball effectively. There was some high level of execution at times and at times there wasn't. We need to be consistent with our execution on an every-play basis."
Junior middle linebacker Jake Holland said he had his best day since VanGorder's arrival. Sophomore defensive tackle Gabe Wright agreed, saying Holland was the highlight of the defense.
And from Chizik:
"In the big picture, it was about like we thought it would be - inconsistent on both sides of the ball. We have a long way to go. Lot of learning to do. Effort was where we needed it to be. Execution was not."
According to reports from inside the scrimmage, senior tailback Onterio McCalebb had a long touchdown run. Sophomore quarterback Kiehl Frazier had completions of 30-plus yards to Sammie Coates. With the 2's and 3's in the game, freshman quarterback Jonathan Wallace hit two big passes to Jaylon Denson.
Junior quarterback Clint Moseley took snaps but threw just one pass, a screen, as he continues to get therapy on his sore shoulder.
Chizik said all three quarterbacks were inconsistent.
"When you are looking at the quarterback position, you are always looking for a guy that takes command of the huddle, is never rattled by the circumstances and executes everything with a lot of poise and confidence," Chizik said.
"The guy that is going to end up being our quarterback is going to be the guy that does those things the best."
More from VanGorder:
On the defense as a whole
"There were a lot of things we did well. For the majority of it, our 1's played pretty good football. We have to tackle better, but I expected that."
On the linebackers
"A lot of learning from that group. We have to keep pushing and driving that group and get better."
On defense against the run
" You are going to have a distorted rushing game because of an explosive run. For the most part, they were pretty good."
More from Loeffler:
On the quarterbacks
"We have some work to do still. We're not where we want to be yet. We are going to bust our rear ends the next two weeks to get ready to compete in Atlanta."
On how freshmen performed
"They did a lot of things young guys do. ... They were typical freshmen for the first time walking into a scrimmage situation. First time coaches not in the huddle with them. They'll be able to progress."
On the offensive line
"They did a good job. They are young. They are learning."
More from Chizik:
On the scrimmage as a whole
"Big picture, about like we thought it would be. Inconsistent on both sides of the ball. Long way to go. Lot of learning to do. Effort was where we needed it to be. Execution was not. Overall, the message will be inconsistency. That was everywhere."
On young players scrimmaging at the stadium for the first time
"I think it's huge. This is a big moment for all the guys that have never been in the stadium before actually playing. Some handled it better than others. I think they'll understand next time we come in here what is required, what is expected."
On the running backs
"There were some things they did that were good. Onterio, we all know how productive he is when he touches the ball, and he was the same way today."
For video interviews with Chizk, VanGorder and Loeffler, follow the links before.
- Phillip Marshall
- Columnist - AuburnUndercover
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