Tag: Derek Mason

Derek Mason is incredibly valuable to Auburn

Derek Mason showed he could put together a gameplan against Alabama unlike anyone else.

Derek Mason is the greatest defensive coordinator to ever exist. Only half kidding.

How Georgia, who was giving up less than a touchdown per contest heading into the SEC Championship game, just gave up 41 points to an Alabama team that couldn’t score a point on 6-6 Auburn until the fourth quarter a week ago currently has me stunned.

I know that matchups differ from game to game, and Georgia apparently didn’t have the horses to keep up with Alabama, but if the Bulldogs didn’t have the guys, how on earth did Auburn have the guys?

Derek Mason legitimately saved his job after his performance in the Iron Bowl and honestly after seeing what just happened in the SEC Championship I think I want to wait and see what Auburn’s defense looks like once he gets his guys in. Because Auburn shut that offense down longer than anybody else in the country.

I’m officially on the keep Derek Mason train until further notice.

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5 possible candidates for defensive coordinator at Penn State

5 possible candidates to replace Brent Pry as Penn State’s defensive coordinator

For the first time since becoming a head coach, James Franklin is searching for a new defensive coordinator. Franklin’s long-time defensive coordinator, Brent Pry, accepted an opportunity to become a head coach with Virginia Tech and that leaves a big hole on Franklin’s staff he has never once had to fill during his years as a head coach. Pry was on Franklin’s staff with at least a share of the defensive coordinator responsibilities since Franklin’s first year as a head coach at Vanderbilt, and Pry followed Franklin to Penn State to continue leading the defense.

But with Pry off to Blacksburg, and possibly taking a couple of assistants and staffers with him, Franklin must find a new coach to lead the defense in 2022. And, if history is any indication, Franklin will have some interesting names worth considering for Pry’s successor in Happy Valley. There is even a chance the next defensive coordinator could already be on the staff, but there could be some names worth exploring from outside of the Penn State football family as well.

Here are five names Penn State fans will likely be hearing about to some degree or another as Franklin looks to find his next defensive coordinator.

Losers from Auburn’s loss to South Carolina

Here are the losers from Auburn’s disappointing loss to the Gamecocks.

I’m legitimately stunned.

Auburn (6-5) has now lost three straight, losing to South Carolina 21-17 in Columbia tonight. The Tigers were not necessarily outplayed, but if feels like  Auburn outreached themselves. A lot of moments where Auburn shot themselves in the foot that led to a South Carolina victory.

Props to South Carolina though. The Gamecocks (6-5) played their hearts out, and I’m happy for Shane Beamer for getting the program to a bowl in his first season.

There should be some major changes made after this season ends. Not calling for Harsin’s job, but there need to be some adjustments (something the coordinators don’t know about).

Here are the loser from Auburn’s 21-17 loss to South Carolina.

Limiting Matt Corral will be Auburn football’s biggest task

You cannot stop him, you can only hope to contain him.

Auburn’s most important task on Saturday: limiting Heisman candidate Matt Corral.

The Rebels have gotten a very solid year out of the junior from Ventura, California. While Corral hasn’t been playing at 100%, the Rebels offense has still been humming along over this opening stretch of SEC play.

C Dub of the ‘War Rapport’ joined Zac Blackerby and the ‘Locked on Auburn Podcast‘ to talk about Auburn’s coverage and how important it is that the Tigers keep Corral in check.

“In obvious passing situations, I could see us having three down linemen and a player hovering around the line of scrimmage acting as a spy. We’ve been incorporating a lot more zone, so that allows our guys in the second and third level of our defense to keep their eyes on Corral. Of course, that could make us vulerable to the pass, but it will still be interesting to see how Auburn attacks Matt Corral. I know he’s going to be a big part of our defensive gameplan.

If we are able to limit Corral and his effectivness, I think Auburn is willing to allow the Ole Miss running backs to have a pretty decent day- not necesarrily gashing us, but if that’s what it takes to contain Corral and that is what it takes to limit Ole Miss’ offense, then (forcing the issue on Corral) is something I think Derek Mason is willing to do.”

Keep in mind, outside of the Georgia game, Auburn has been adjusting and game-planning well in the second half of games, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Mason should be able to figure out the right buttons to press on Corral after a couple of quarters if he hasn’t found them already by then.

I will also say this- if LSU was able to hold Ole Miss to 31 points, Auburn can either do so as well or get very close. That might be enough to win the ballgame. It just starts with stopping Matt Corral.

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Losers from Auburn vs Arkansas

We’re happy to report that mistakes and losers were at a minimum against Arkansas.

What a win for Auburn on the road.

The Tigers needed a confidence boost heading into what is a daunting back half of the season, and they got it on the road in a 38-23 win over the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Auburn’s running game hasn’t been a major factor for three straight games, but the Tigers have gotten it done. Bo Nix had a career day on the road, and had he not thrown the interception at the end of the first half, there would have been a real argument to have been made that this was his best performance in a game that mattered in his career. He just continues to step up even with his receivers dropping passes.

Here are five losers from Auburn’s win over Arkansas… but not all from the Auburn side.

When will things start to click for Auburn’s defense?

What does Auburn need to do to get better defensively?

Auburn’s defensive backfield has not been playing consistently this season.

Throughout the season, not just against Penn State, there have been missed assignments, poor pursuit angles, and plays where the defensive backs don’t seem to know where to line up. With a trip to LSU coming up this weekend, Auburn’s defense is going to have to figure some things out before they face off against Max Johnson and LSU’s potent passing attack.

Auburn safety Smoke Monday spoke with the media on Tuesday and explained what needed to be done in order for Auburn’s defense to improve.

Monday: We just have to communicate better as a defense. That’s what it comes down to. We just have to know each other and communicate the plays between each other. That’s really all that it is… We have to get lined up right, get the call in, play our brand of football, and communicate.

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Five takeaways from the first half of Auburn vs Georgia State: Auburn is falling apart

It was a rough first half for Auburn.

OK, so that was rough and really hard to watch.

Bo Nix and the Auburn offense looked incredibly rusty. The Tiger defense was gashed. The receivers can’t create separation consistently. Overall, just a poor showing from the Tigers. All around, my concern isn’t for Auburn in this game, but for the future. How will the Tigers handle SEC play? If they can’t establish the ground game against Georgia State (109th nationally in rushing yards allowed per game), how will they do against LSU and Georgia during the next two weeks?

Here are five takeaways from the first half against Georgia State.

Report Card: Grading Auburn coming out of fall camp

As we head into game week, let’s take a look at every Auburn position group and grade them.

We’re almost a week away from Auburn football.

Auburn has had an up and down fall camp. At least according to the media. Bryan Harsin held a Zoom press conference and had a lot of positive things to say about the team and how they were progressing leading into this final fall practice.

As we head into game week, let’s take a look at every Auburn position group and grade them.

Derek Mason announces he has recovered from Covid-19

Derek Mason announced on Twitter that he has fully recovered from COVID.

Head coach Bryan Harsin, defensive coordinator Derek Mason, and a few players reportedly tested positive for COVID last week.

Derek Mason announced on Twitter that he has fully recovered. Here is what Mason had to say.

As some of you heard, I recently developed and battled a break-through case of Covid. Thankfully I have recovered and am looking forward to returning to the field as we prepare for the upcoming season. Having lost two family members to covid last year as well as being the father of a daughter who is immunocompromised, I understand why I made the decision to vaccinate,” Mason said. “I can only speak for my own decision, but for those who are on the fence I encourage you to look at your ‘own why’ and consider protecting yourself, your loved ones and the healthcare workers who are working so tirelessly to save lives,” the first-year Auburn assistant coach added. “I am thankful I did. I wish our country, and specifically the entire Auburn community, a safe, healthy and successful football season.

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JJ Pegues is making moves on the defensive line

The Flying Pegasus has made a return to the field, ladies and gentlemen.

The Flying Pegasus has made a return to the field, ladies and gentlemen.

Fan-favorite JJ Pegues made his move to defensive tackle over the spring, and he’s been relatively quiet since.

However, new defensive coordinator Derek Mason had a lot to say about Pegues.

“JJ is getting progressively better every day,” Coach Mason said to media Monday. “Coach (Nick) Eason and Coach (Bert) Watts do a good job of pushing these guys in terms of finishing. I think it is a process so for him, just challenging him every day to be his best self, not getting frustrated if it doesn’t go exactly the way he wants it to go that day…

“JJ is a guy who is extremely athletic and talented. He wants to do everything right, and sometimes that can be a frustrating process. He picked it up fast and is getting better every day. The nuances are about repetition, but for him the more reps he is taking the better he gets.

“It’s just good to see this big, explosive, strong and extremely athletic guy up front because when you watch him in one-on-ones or watch him in nine-on-seven he can move the line of scrimmage. He can move laterally. I just like the temperament that he has shown since he has come back from offense to defense.”

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