'No bigger stage': Iron Bowl notebook

'No bigger stage': Iron Bowl notebook'No bigger stage': Iron Bowl notebook
Will Flowers/Auburn Athletics

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Jack Driscoll traveled more than 1,000 miles to Auburn from his Connecticut hometown to play in games like the Iron Bowl.

"It was awesome," said Driscoll, who transferred to Auburn after graduating from UMass. "There's really no bigger stage than this. As a true competitor, this is what you love. You love playing against the best every week and that's ultimately why I came down here, to play in games like this."

Auburn's starting right tackle, Driscoll helped the Tigers rush for 130 yards Saturday in the Iron Bowl, but the home team turned a 3-point halftime lead into a 52-21 victory.

"Unfortunately, Shaun's run got called back and that set us back," said Driscoll, referring to a holding penalty that erased Shaun Shivers' 75-yard touchdown run on Auburn's first possession.

"Credit to them, they're a great team," Driscoll said. "Unfortunately, we didn't execute as well as we did in the first half. We played in that first half well enough to win. I think the score definitely reflected that. Coaches called a great game both halves.

"Frankly, we didn't execute. Players make plays and second half, they made more plays than we did."

With a year of SEC experience, Driscoll plans to return for his senior season in 2019 to anchor Auburn's offensive line.
 


'YOU'LL SEE THE SAME PROGRESSION'
All three of the players who scored Auburn's Iron Bowl touchdowns: freshman Anthony Schwartz, sophomore Malik Miller and junior Darius Slayton will have an opportunity for payback next season when the Tigers host their in-state rivals.

Slayton, who will be one of Auburn's senior leaders in 2019, noted the impact the freshman class made this season, especially on offense.

"I think a lot of people lose sight of the fact that Boobee Whitlow and Shaun Shivers are freshmen. They've got a lot to learn," said Slayton, pointing out that recent Auburn thousand-yard backs Kerryon Johnson and Kam Pettway improved after their first seasons.

"They were good when they were freshmen, too, but they weren't what they were when they were juniors and seniors. I think you'll see the same progression out of our young backs. 

"Even our young receivers. You've already seen flashes from Seth [Williams] and Flash [Anthony Schwartz]. I think the future's bright."
 


BLOCK THAT KICK

Auburn's punt team delivered once again. Smoke Monday blocked his first career punt in the second quarter, setting up a touchdown pass from Ryan Davis to Malik Miller.

The blocked punt was Auburn's fourth of the season.

Punter Arryn Siposs averaged 40.3 yards on seven punts, including two 50-yarders.

'FOUGHT ALL THE WAY TO THE END'

While a 7-5 record was not what Auburn's players envisioned for this season, quarterback Jarrett Stidham took solace in the way his teammates persevered.

"The main thing for us is we fought all the way to the end," said Stidham, who broke Ben Leard's Auburn record with 162 consecutive pass attempts without an interception. "The thing this season was guys not giving up on each other.

"You have to tip your cap to them. They got the best of us tonight. But our guys in our locker room, they have fought all year. We had so many ups and downs. People don't even really know how a lot of people have felt in that locker room. 

"Just to see everybody not give up on each other and finish the season. I couldn't be more proud of those guys in that locker room. They come to work every single day. The work ethic has been there. The mindset every day at practice. Every workout has been there. I wouldn't trade these guys for anything."
 
 
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer