One of the biggest questions heading into the season was how the grind of a 10-game conference-only schedule would affect a team.
One of the biggest questions heading into the season was how the grind of a 10-game, conference-only schedule would affect a team. Auburn has only played three games and has already felt that impact.
Senior linebacker K.J. Britt is out for up to six weeks following ligament surgery on his right hand and fellow team captains Shaun Shivers and Big Kat Bryant were also unavailable in Saturday’s win over the Arkansas Razorbacks as was senior wide receiver Eli Stove.
Two more starters were also out, as starting freshman corner Jaylin Simpson was unable to go after warming up and junior offensive tackle Austin Troxell did not dress after suffering an injury late in the week.
The ensuing shuffle along both sides caused some problems for Auburn, but overall Gus Malzahn said he was pleased.
“We did, on a positive note, get out of the game really without any serious injuries, which is great,” Malzahn said. “We’re very hopeful that we’ll get some of our guys back that weren’t able to play this past week. I think getting a game under our belt without K.J. Britt, with his leadership, and we were playing without three of our four team captains. Which I thought, that was good for our team and especially getting the victory. The thing I took from the game last night was just how we won. I think we can build upon that the rest of the season.”
Despite the absence of Troxell and Brodarious Hamm being held out of the starting lineup after getting banged up in the Georgia game, the offense had their best game running the ball against a stout Arkansas defense.
When Hamm entered the game, Auburn was able to move Brandon Council back to left guard and leave freshman Keiondre Jones at right guard. The results were quick to follow.
“I think we made it through ok,” Malzahn said. “But just getting those guys in the same positions, you know, I think, for an extended period of time up front will do nothing but help. And I know that we’re getting closer to figuring that out. Obviously, Brodarious was banged up coming into the game.
“We moved Council to right tackle starting out. You know, Brodarious, he did a good job once he was in and made it through the game. And we had KJ at right guard. Just getting five guys and getting settled in, so hopefully we can stay healthy enough to do that.”
Special team’s standout Jordyn Peters left the game early after blocking a punt that was recovered for an Auburn touchdown.
“We’re hoping that he’ll be back,” Malzahn said. “We’ll probably have a better idea of that on Tuesday. But obviously he went out in the first quarter or whatever. That’s a big loss. We’ll hopefully get him back.”
Malzahn is hopeful they will be closer to full strength for their second road trip of the season when they travel to Columbia for their game with South Carolina at 11 a.m. Saturday.
“Austin and Eli Stove both, we’re hoping to get those guys back,” Malzahn said. “Marco Domio’s (juco cornerback) a guy that’s been out with an injury, too. We’re hoping to get him back. Shaun Shivers, we held him out last night. Hopefully we’ll get him back too. I’ll probably know more Tuesday about how our guys handle practice.”
