'The defense really stood out': Auburn holds first spring scrimmage

'The defense really stood out': Auburn holds first spring scrimmage'The defense really stood out': Auburn holds first spring scrimmage

March 24, 2018

By Jeff Shearer
AuburnTigers.com

AUBURN, Ala. - Forcing five turnovers, Auburn's defense dominated the Tigers' first spring scrimmage, coach Gus Malzahn said Saturday.

"The defense really stood out to me today," Malzahn said. "They won the line of scrimmage."

Junior safety Daniel Thomas made two interceptions, teammates said.

"Daniel's a guy that he's got a lot of experience," Malzahn said. "He is starting to turn into a veteran, and you kind of just sense it out there when you're going 11-on-11. So the expectations are very high for him."

That Auburn's defense had the upper hand was unsurprising, Malzahn said.

"When we've had our best teams, it's been kind of back-and-forth," he said. "One group will have a really good scrimmage, and the next time, the other group will respond. We'll see how that goes. Usually, the first scrimmage, whether it's spring or fall, the defense is usually a little ahead.

"The great thing about our defense right now is we have a lot of veterans who have played. We've got a lot of guys that I consider to be really good football players. We'll see how the spring goes. We'll have two more scrimmages, so that will be good information. "We do have one of the best defensive lines in college football. There's no doubt about that but at the same time we always strive to have one of the best offensive lines. That's the goal. So, we'll just see how things are moving forward."

At the end of Auburn's scrimmage, Anders Carlson kicks a field goal. Photo: Todd Van Emst/Auburn Athletics" style="width:100%; height:auto;" class="imported_image" legacy-link="http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/aub/sports/m-footbl/auto_a_storywidenew/13214336.jpeg"> At the end of Auburn's scrimmage, Anders Carlson kicks a field goal. Photo: Todd Van Emst/Auburn Athletics

Focusing on special teams, Auburn conducted four live punts with returns, four kickoffs and returns and eight field goals. Redshirt freshman Anders Carlson impressed Malzahn with his kickoffs and by converting all three field goal attempts, including a 52-yarder.

"It was a beautiful day, it was good to get out there and this'll probably be one the bigger scrimmages we've had in a long time from an evaluation standpoint," Malzahn said. "It was good for us to see what they could do."

Anders Carlson celebrates with teammates after making a field goal at the end of Saturday's scrimmage. Photo: Todd Van Emst/Auburn Athletics" style="width:100%; height:auto;" class="imported_image" legacy-link="http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/aub/sports/m-footbl/auto_a_storywidenew/13214340.jpeg"> Anders Carlson celebrates with teammates after making a field goal at the end of Saturday's scrimmage. Photo: Todd Van Emst/Auburn Athletics

About 500 high school coaches attended Auburn's coaching clinic that featured former Nebraska coach Tom Osborne.

"That was a big deal for me having Coach Osborne here," Malzahn said. "As a young coach looking up to him and Tom Landry, they were the two guys, really when I was young, that stood out to me with their professionalism, their character, the way they went about their business.

Former Nebraska coach Tom Osborne spoke to 500 high school coaches Friday at Auburn's clinic. Photo: Todd Van Emst" style="width:100%; height:auto;" class="imported_image" legacy-link="http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/aub/sports/m-footbl/auto_a_storywidenew/13213770.jpeg"> Former Nebraska coach Tom Osborne spoke to 500 high school coaches Friday at Auburn's clinic. Photo: Todd Van Emst

"Both of those guys were very consistent. You never saw them lose their mind. I've lost my mind. I don't have that gift. I've tried to emulate myself after those two guys, so for me that was a really big deal. He did a super job speaking to our coaches, just from a standpoint of the influence that coaches have and just really the big picture. A lot of times you get so wrapped up in the competitive side, especially the young coaches. I thought he had a great word, not just for younger coaches but older coaches. It was a really big thrill for him to be here for me."

Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @jeff_shearer