Looks like Auburn lost an offensive lineman for the season and Marshall is sitting against Arkansas.
Auburn
- Thread starter Woodson
- Start date
http://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/auburn-football/kozan-out-for-season/
KEITH CHARTRAND
Saturday dOWN SOUTH
KEITH CHARTRAND
Saturday dOWN SOUTH
Jeremy Johnson's opportunity has arrived, but is he ready?
The Auburn sophomore quarterback will start against Arkansas after coach Gus Malzahn announced his punishment for Nick Marshall, who will not start in the season opener -- but he will play -- following a citation for marijuana possession in July.
The 3 p.m. kickoff on Aug. 30 provides the stage for the biggest start of Johnson's career, while providing some uncertainty.
Johnson played sparingly last season, and mostly saw time in two non-conference games (Western Carolina, Florida Atlantic) due to injuries to Marshall. The Arkansas game will be his first start against an SEC team.
"I don't think it will be that big of a deal," center Reese Dismukes said. "He's a great quarterback, too, so I don't think that will be a big issue."
Johnson and Marshall possess two different -- but not totally separate or limiting -- playing styles. Johnson (6-5, 230) has a larger frame, and is a strong passer with an ability to excel on inside zone runs; Marshall (6-1, 210) is a strong runner with a big arm, but did most his damage in Malzahn's zone-read on outside runs last season.
The decision to start Johnson comes on the heels of off-season discussions between Malzahn and offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee, who decided Johnson "was going to have a bigger role regardless" in 2014, Malzahn revealed Friday.
"We've talked about him and his ability and how we feel about him," Malzahn said. "We feel very good about our quarterback position as a whole."
Johnson played in six games with one start as a freshman, but it was his ability to deliver big plays off the bench that impressed coaches. He was 29-of-41 passing for 422 yards and six touchdowns with two interceptions, and he garnered two SEC Freshman of the Week awards in relief of Marshall. More importantly, he proved capable with little time to prepare -- he replaced Marshall in situational plays and completed passes for first downs against Arkansas and Georgia before he was quickly summoned back to the sideline.
I guess we will see if he is as good as advertised right out of the gate. Arkansas is hungry for a W, this may not be the blow out that the lines are currently showing. I think Gus will put NM in if things are not going Auburn's way.:0008
The Auburn sophomore quarterback will start against Arkansas after coach Gus Malzahn announced his punishment for Nick Marshall, who will not start in the season opener -- but he will play -- following a citation for marijuana possession in July.
The 3 p.m. kickoff on Aug. 30 provides the stage for the biggest start of Johnson's career, while providing some uncertainty.
Johnson played sparingly last season, and mostly saw time in two non-conference games (Western Carolina, Florida Atlantic) due to injuries to Marshall. The Arkansas game will be his first start against an SEC team.
"I don't think it will be that big of a deal," center Reese Dismukes said. "He's a great quarterback, too, so I don't think that will be a big issue."
Johnson and Marshall possess two different -- but not totally separate or limiting -- playing styles. Johnson (6-5, 230) has a larger frame, and is a strong passer with an ability to excel on inside zone runs; Marshall (6-1, 210) is a strong runner with a big arm, but did most his damage in Malzahn's zone-read on outside runs last season.
The decision to start Johnson comes on the heels of off-season discussions between Malzahn and offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee, who decided Johnson "was going to have a bigger role regardless" in 2014, Malzahn revealed Friday.
"We've talked about him and his ability and how we feel about him," Malzahn said. "We feel very good about our quarterback position as a whole."
Johnson played in six games with one start as a freshman, but it was his ability to deliver big plays off the bench that impressed coaches. He was 29-of-41 passing for 422 yards and six touchdowns with two interceptions, and he garnered two SEC Freshman of the Week awards in relief of Marshall. More importantly, he proved capable with little time to prepare -- he replaced Marshall in situational plays and completed passes for first downs against Arkansas and Georgia before he was quickly summoned back to the sideline.
I guess we will see if he is as good as advertised right out of the gate. Arkansas is hungry for a W, this may not be the blow out that the lines are currently showing. I think Gus will put NM in if things are not going Auburn's way.:0008
I tend to agree. I haven't looked at Arkansas yet but new QB first game out against an SEC opponent isn't the best laid plans.
I stand corrected on Marshal sitting, thanks, looks like he isn't starting. Certainly having a captain not start the season could have morale impacts prior to the game.
Locker room best be tight or the season will end as it starts.
Homer post but certainly impacts the spread.
:0074
I stand corrected on Marshal sitting, thanks, looks like he isn't starting. Certainly having a captain not start the season could have morale impacts prior to the game.
Locker room best be tight or the season will end as it starts.
Homer post but certainly impacts the spread.
:0074
A look at why Auburn believes it will be OK without Alex Kozan on offensive line
Auburn Fall Practice: Day 2
Auburn center Reese Dismukes (50), left guard Chad Slade (62), quarterback Nick Marshall (14) and wide receiver Quan Bray (4) run through drills during the second day of fall practice Saturday, Aug. 2, 2014, in Auburn, Ala. (Julie Bennett/jbennett@al.com)
Print Brandon Marcello | bmarcello@al.com By Brandon Marcello | bmarcello@al.com
Email the author | Follow on Twitter
on August 02, 2014 at 8:57 PM, updated August 02, 2014 at 9:16 PM
0
2014 AUBURN TRAINING CAMP
A look at why Auburn believes it will be OK without Alex Kozan on offensive line
Auburn freshmen Roc Thomas, Kamryn Pettway will get chances to prove themselves early in camp
Auburn's Chad Slade, Jermaine Whitehead pick up college degrees in morning, practice in afternoon
Watch Gus Malzahn show Auburn receivers how to attack a linebacker
Watch Auburn's defense drop into coverage during Tigers' second practice
Watch Auburn's quarterbacks, running backs work on zone read
Nick Marshall, Jeremy Johnson rotate with starters on Day 2 of Auburn practices
:0008
AUBURN, Alabama -- Chad Slade is on the move to help alleviate concerns at left guard, and it's up to him to make sure Auburn's massive offensive line doesn't miss a beat.
All-SEC guard Alex Kozan will miss the season with a back injury, and Slade, a senior, has flipped from right guard to the position he played as a freshman. The loss is a big one, and it's up to Slade to make sure there is no drop-off on the left side of the line, where the Tigers must also replace first-round NFL star Greg Robinson.
"It's kinda difficult to switch up from left to right, but it's something you've got to get used to," Slade said. "It's something you have to study extra hard, and everything you've got to do to get extra film work."
The good news for Auburn is that the Tigers are not short on experience, even with Kozan, a 14-game starter last season, on the sideline. Auburn returns an offensive line with 99 combined career starts, which ranks second in the SEC. The Tigers did co-lead the SEC alongside South Carolina with 113 career starts before Kozan went down with an injury, according to figures compiled by Phil Steele Magazine.
Communication issues -- not experience -- are the main concern, though players believe that will be corrected when the season opens Aug. 30 against Arkansas.
"A little stepping on each other here and there," center Reese Dismukes said Friday. "Not knowing where people are, but that's going to happen. That's going to happen whether it was the same five as last year. It's the first day. We've been off for months now, so it's first day rust. After a week or two we should be jelling pretty good."
Three of five starters return from an offensive line that paved the way for the top rushing attack in the country (328.3 yards per game). Even when Auburn was seemingly dominating every defensive line it faced, it took time to develop.
"It took us until the 12th game to know we were as good as we were," Slade said.
The issue now is replacing the entire left side of the line, where Kozan was expected to be an anchor alongside tackle Shon Coleman, who players have described as a stronger version of Robinson.
Slade has plenty of experience. Only Dismukes has more starts (37) than Slade (35) on the offensive line, though Slade has bounced around from right and left guard, and even tackle during his career. Slade's extended experience at left guard occurred as a redshirt freshman in 2011. he started the final seven games of the season after Jared Cooper went down with an injury.
"We'll be fine on the offensive line," said Cameron Artis-Payne, who is battling for the starting job at running back. "We've got the best offensive line coach (J.B. Grimes) and we've got a lot of talent on our offensive line. That hasn't really crossed anyone's mind; we're not worried about the offensive line."
Sophomore Avery Young (12 starts) is in line to start at right guard alongside tackle Patrick Miller, who will likely solely focus on right tackle after battling Coleman for the left tackle job in the spring.
The loss of Kozan, an all-SEC player a year ago as a freshman, is still an issue. Grimes exited spring practices feeling he had six starters for five spots. He'll now look to backups Devonte Danzey and Jordan Diamond to step up when needed, though the duo have combined for only seven appearances in their short Auburn careers.
True freshman Braden Smith, recruited as a tackle, is also a possibility as he continues to garner praise from teammates. Coaches will save their judgements on the newcomer until they get him in full pads later this month.
"Obviously, that's a big blow for our guys up front with the type of year [Kozan] had and the type of player he is," coach Gus Malzahn said. "With that being said, we do have quality depth up front."
Marshall will probably sit for 1 series or 1 quarter. Even if he would have been suspended for the whole game: JJohnson has played, albeit against two weak teams in 2013, so he's not totally fresh. also, not trying to be an asshole to any Arkyslaw fans but is there some kind of indication that your defense isn't gonna be terrible again this year?
Couldn't really decipher that reddit mumbo jumbo on why AU won't miss Kozan, but it's the deepest position on our roster and the backup has over a dozen quality starts in CFB. The OL will be fine.
FWIW I'm taking the Over in the game. If it's under 60. I think 21 points is spot on so I more than likely won't mess with that, as there will be better games on the board.
Couldn't really decipher that reddit mumbo jumbo on why AU won't miss Kozan, but it's the deepest position on our roster and the backup has over a dozen quality starts in CFB. The OL will be fine.
FWIW I'm taking the Over in the game. If it's under 60. I think 21 points is spot on so I more than likely won't mess with that, as there will be better games on the board.
