'Keep believing': An inside perspective on Auburn's win at Cal'Keep believing': An inside perspective on Auburn's win at Cal

'Keep believing': An inside perspective on Auburn's win at Cal

by Jeff Shearer

BERKELEY, Calif. – Scheduled to start Saturday at 3:35 p.m. PT, four hours prior to the latest kickoff in Auburn football history, the last team meeting before departing for California Memorial Stadium is short and sweet.

With music playing loudly in the second-floor conference room at the San Mateo Marriott, players in high spirits file in, filling the front rows first, a graphic displaying the word “Watchmen” projects on the video screen, emphasizing one of Auburn’s themes for 2023.

Somehow, Eugene Asante’s familiar “Let’s work!” exhortation rises above the noise level.

Any concerns about the cross-country trip and late kickoff sapping the team’s energy would be quickly dispelled by observing this setting.

At 3:31 p.m., a few players are dancing, many are singing.

A minute later, head coach Hugh Freeze enters, the music quiets.

His remarks are enthusiastic and brief, lasting only seconds.  

“You’re going to have fight ‘em every play. Every play,” says Freeze, who shared with reporters earlier in the week his belief that too many pregame meetings can be counterproductive. “Keep believing, keep believing, keep believing!”

Next, a two-minute video plays, featuring highlights from Auburn’s season-opening win vs. Massachusetts. Players celebrate as touchdowns and takeaways appear on the screen, their shouts drowning out Andy Burcham’s radio calls.

As the video ends, Auburn transitions instantly into its special teams clap session, in which each 11-member unit quickly stands, accounts for substitutions, claps thrice and recites its motto.

“To the crib!” exclaims the kick return team. “Quick six!” for punt return, the display of discipline and unity producing a basic training roll call vibe.  

“Family on three: one, two, three: Family!”

Lasting fewer than four minutes, the meeting ends when it was scheduled to begin, at 3:35.

Preparation continues, as players file into the hallway for more walkthroughs, going over how they will react vs. various looks depending on the line of scrimmage and hash mark.

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After their pregame meal, players and coaches board three buses for the 35-mile trip to Cal’s campus, where they’re greeted by thousands of Auburn fans at Tiger Walk, a scene that left a lasting impression on Freeze.

“I was blown away,” he told reporters after Auburn’s 14-10 victory. “I told our team that doesn’t happen most places, not for a trip like this. That just doesn't happen. Our fans are special.”

Behind Asante’s inspired performance – 12 tackles, a sack, 1.5 tackles for loss, a pass breakup and two quarterback hurries – Auburn’s defense meets the challenge, holding Cal to 2.8 yards per carry on 40 rushes and shutting out the Bears in the second half to secure the program’s first victory in California.

After racing to the corner of the stadium where most of Auburn’s fans and the band are celebrating, Freeze sings the fight song before retreating to the crowded locker room.

His first words to his players evoke images of two of Auburn’s most beloved and successful coaches: Pat Dye and Bruce Pearl.

“How long we got to play this game?” Freeze asks rhetorically.

“Sixty minutes!” the team shouts in unison, reminiscent of Dye’s infamous declaration.

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“The first Auburn victory in California. No one else can ever say that. I’m so proud of you!” proclaims Freeze, referencing the concept of making history that Pearl has implemented so effectively while building a top 20 basketball program during his decade on the Plains.

Three hours later, after interviews, showers, loading equipment and a bus ride to Oakland, Auburn’s Delta Air Lines Boeing 757 charter goes wheels up at 1:49 a.m. PT.

Four hours after that, at 7:48 a.m. CT, it lands in Montgomery, where buses are loaded once more for the ride home.

Sunday at 9:27 a.m., the team arrives at the Woltosz Football Performance Center.

The Auburn Tigers are 2-0.

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