Tag: Marcus Harris

Auburn survives San Jose State, wins 24-16

It was not pretty but Auburn picked up the win Saturday night.

It certainly was not pretty but Auburn beat San Jose State 24-16 Saturday night to improve to 2-0 on the season. The Tigers fell behind multiple times but did enough offensively in the second half to get the win in Jordan-Hare Stadium.

After struggling to move the ball in the first half, Auburn’s offense came alive in the second half. The Tigers entered halftime trailing 10-7 but answered with their first drive of the second half. They marched 69 yards down the field in nine plays and took a 14-10 lead thanks to [autotag]Tank Bigsby[/autotag] taking over.

Auburn’s best offensive player looked like it on the drive. He started the drive with a 16-yard run and had an 11-yard reception on 4th and 3 to keep the drive alive. He then ripped off a 19-yard run and punched it in from the one-yard line to give Auburn a 14-10 lead they would not relinquish with 11:45 left in the third quarter.

He finished the night with 51 yards rushing and one touchdown on 13 carries. He added four receptions for 29 yards.

After the defense forced a quick punt the Tigers’ offense once again went to work. Bigsby once again had another solid run to start the drive but this one was called back by a penalty, something Auburn struggled with all game.

Auburn was able to overcome the mistake and Anders Carlson converted a 45-yard field goal to give Auburn a 17-10 lead.

But San Jose State was not going down without a fight and responded with a field goal of their own to make it 17-13.

The Tigers once again answered back though and both quarterbacks played a role on this drive. Robby Ashford took a designed run 30 yards around the left side to open the drive. A few plays later [autotag]T.J. Finley[/autotag] connected with Ja’Varrius Johnson for a 24-yard gain to set up 1st and goal. Finley punched it in to give Auburn the 24-13 with 12:45 left to play.

The Spartans managed one more field goal to make it a 24-16 game with 2:11 to play but were unable to recover the onside kick and Auburn was able to run out the clock and secure their second win of the season.

Overall it was a strong game from Finley who started the game 1-of-5 with an interception. However, he responded to the interception perfectly, completing his next five passes, and was 12-of-15 for 158 yards after the interception.

He finished the night 13-for 20 (65%) for 167 yards and the interception. He also had five carries for 18 yards and a touchdown.

While the offense did not wake up until the second half, Auburn’s defense was ready to go from the start. They forced three punts to start the game and completely shut down the Spartans rushing attack, holding them to 1.9 yards per carry.

[autotag]Marcus Harris[/autotag] led the way, making 3.0 tackles for loss and a sack but the entire defensive line was able to generate pressure the entire game and forced Chevan Cordeiro to get the ball out quickly.

However, they were able to have success with that, their 275 passing yards were the most Auburn has allowed to a non-power conference team since 2015.

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2022 Auburn football preview: Defensive Line

Auburn’s defensive line is full of talented players and should be fun to watch.

Despite a massive amount of turnover this offseason, the defensive line group is one of the deepest groups on the roster and has a chance to lead the entire defense.

New position coach [autotag]Jimmy Brumbaugh[/autotag] has a great problem on his hand with too many talented players to start them all.

The group is led by defensive end [autotag]Colby Wooden[/autotag] and defensive tackle [autotag]Marcus Harris[/autotag], both are returning starters and will be key contributors for the defense. They are backed up by a group that features several returning contributors and multiple newcomers who have a chance to make an impact right away.

One of those is [autotag]Jayson Jones[/autotag], who transferred from Oregon and looks like an ideal fit in the middle of the defense. Another noteworthy newcomer is [autotag]Jeffrey M’Ba[/autotag] the No. 1 overall JUCO player from last year’s signing class and could become a great player as he gets more experience.

Wide Receiver Preview

Tight End Preview

Running Back Preview

Offensive Line Preview

Quarterback Preview

Edge Preview

Colby Wooden has high confidence in Auburn’s defense

Auburn defensive end Colby Wooden believes that Auburn’s defense could be the best in the SEC this season.

Auburn junior defensive end [autotag]Colby Wooden[/autotag], like every member of the 2022 roster, has seen the lack of confidence that the media has in Auburn, as they voted the Tigers to finish last in the SEC West during SEC Media Days last month.

“We aren’t going to say too much about it, and we are going to handle it on the field,” Wooden said during a recent interview with Auburn Undercover. “I can definitely say the camaraderie and brotherhood definitely got better this offseason dealing with everything we have dealt with. We are ready to show that.”

The locker room seems to be more invested in head coach Bryan Harsin as he begins year two on the Plains, which looks to translate to the field. Wooden says that Auburn’s defense could be the best in the conference, and says that they have the units to confirm the claim.

“We have me and [autotag]Marcus Harris[/autotag] returning. We added a big presence with [autotag]Jayson Jones[/autotag] (transfer from Oregon). We have [autotag]Derick Hall[/autotag] and [autotag]Eku Leota[/autotag] coming off the edge, two very good pass rushers,” Wooden says. “I don’t see why we can’t the best and most dominant SEC group.”

Wooden enters his fourth season on the Plains in 2022, carrying 107 total tackles with him. He comes into 2022 as the team’s leading returning tackler, as he made 61 stops, 8.5 being for loss. He was fourth on Auburn’s defensive leaderboard behind [autotag]Zakoby McClain[/autotag], [autotag]Chandler Wooten[/autotag], and [autotag]Smoke Monday[/autotag].

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Auburn set to host experienced Pac-12 transfer for visit

Auburn is hosting an experienced veteran defensive lineman from UCLA on a visit on Thursday.

On Wednesday, Jeffrey Lee of Auburn Live reported that the Tigers will be hosting UCLA defensive lineman transfer Odua Isibor. His visit is set to begin on Thursday on the Plains.

If there is one word to describe Isibor, it is experienced. The native of Phoenix, Arizona spent a total of five years in Westwood. His career with the Bruins began in 2017. This was ultimately the lone year where he didn’t play exclusively.

As a freshman, he would redshirt. After the 2017 season ended, he would go on to play in 42 of the next 43 games that the Bruins played. Over the course of his final four seasons, he accumulated 56 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles.

Although his stats may not seem too glaring, he still had 14 starts as a Bruin. Ten of those starts came at outside linebacker, while the other four came on the defensive line. It goes to show that Isibor is very versatile. The coaching staff could use him in different roles whether it be off the edge or along with the interior.

He was projected to be a starter on the defensive front for Chip Kelly in his final year of eligibility. In a turn of events, he will now utilize his sixth and final year of eligibility elsewhere. His mentality on the field and in the locker room should not be taken lightly. I look for the Tigers to make him a priority regardless of what his role may be for Bryan Harsin’s team.

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The Tigers will return several key pieces along their defensive front. Several of those being [autotag]Derrick Hall[/autotag], [autotag]Colby Wooden[/autotag], [autotag]Marcus Harris[/autotag], and [autotag]Zykeivous Walker[/autotag]. However, they also brought in Oregon transfer [autotag]Jayson Jones[/autotag]. It is unclear as to what the Tigers’ plans may be for Isibor if he were to commit.

However, it is crucial to have depth along the defensive line, especially in one of the tougher conferences in all of college football — SEC. A veteran and experienced transfer like Isibor is something the coaching staff and Auburn faithful would appreciate. This will be something to keep an eye on closely as he makes the trip to the Plains for his visit.

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Spring Football Preview: Projecting the defensive line

This group needs to develop depth quickly.

Auburn was due for some attrition along the defensive line.

The Tigers had to many talented players for everyone to get enough playing time and when Nick Eason left for Clemson it only worsened the situation.

But losing six players to the transfer portal was unexpected and has thinned out Auburn’s depth.

The Tigers return their top defensive lineman in Colby Wooden and quality starter in Marcus Harris. Marquis Burks gives them another experienced player they will lean on.

After those four, Auburn has several promising players who have yet to carve out roles for themselves and are now in line for serious playing time.

Here is a look at the group.

Auburn names Jarquez Hunter, Marcus Harris Iron Men of the Week

Your Iron Men of the week 3 have been announced.

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Despite the uncertainty surrounding the football program, running back Jarquez Hunter and defensive lineman Marcus Harris made sure they were doing everything they could to improve themselves this past week.

The duo were named the Iron Men of Week 3, a weekly award given to one offensive and defensive player to recognize their hard work in the offseason.

Hunter had a strong true freshman season for Auburn. He rushed for 593 yards and three touchdowns on 89 carries. He also caught 12 passes for 61 yards and a touchdown.

Harris, a transfer from Kansas, recorded 27 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, four quarterback hurries and recovered one fumble in his first season on the Plains.

Both of Hunter and Harris are expected to have bigger roles in the 2022 season. Hunter gives Auburn a solid second running back behind Tank Bigsby, a position where you need multiple contributors.

Harris will have a great shot to be a starter at defensive tackle and help anchor a talented but thin group along the defensive line.

Auburn names Marcus Harris and Anders Carlson captains for LSU game

Auburn names the captains for the LSU game.

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Ahead of their game against LSU, Auburn has named Marcus Harris and Anders Carlson the honorary captains for the game. They will join permanent captains Owen Pappoe and Chandler Wooten.

Harris, a transfer from Kansas, is enjoying a strong start to his first season at Auburn. The sophomore is the starting defensive tackle and has nine tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and 1.0 sacks through four games.

It has been a week full of recognition for Carlson, who was named a semifinalist for the 2021 William V. Campbell Trophy. The award is awarded to the individual who is the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance, and exemplary leadership.

Carlson is 9-for-10 on field-goal attempts this season and 18-of-19 on extra points.

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Auburn lands defensive end transfer Marcus Harris

Auburn added depth to its defensive line on Friday with the commitment from Kansas defensive end transfer Marcus Harris.

Auburn just added some depth to its defensive line.

On Friday, Kansas defensive end transfer Marcus Harris announced his commitment to the Tigers.

From Montogomery, Alabama, Harris recorded 27 total tackles (17 solo) and a team-leading 7.5 tackles for a loss for Kansas as a redshirt freshman in 2020.