For Auburn, the goals for the Ball State game were to turn a few pages in the offensive playbook, remember how to tackle, avoid injuries, and have some fun in the first night game at Jordan-Hare in 2025. Let’s see how they did.
The obvious storyline from Auburn’s win over Baylor was the semi-surprising running ability of Jackson Arnold. I had no idea he had those legs, and even after he had run all over them, Baylor didn’t seemed to still not have an idea he had those legs. So, the questions were still there about his arm. Did he have them? Do they work?
Coach Freeze said in this week’s presser that they called literally zero run plays for Arnold this week. He did scramble a few times, but the obvious gameplan was to let the runners run and then get the receivers the ball. They did that.
It honestly looked like a completely different offense at times. Yes, the runs up the middle were the same. The end arounds focused on Eric Singleton, Jr. turned into passes. But it was much more of a drop-back approach.
Yeah, the first drive in both halves weren’t great. Arnold was sacked more in this game than he was at Baylor. But again, we had to turn the page and run some stuff they didn’t run last week. And they scored 42 points.
That’s one goal down.
The biggest and really only issue from game one was Auburn’s tackling. Ball State rushed for -3 yards and had 68 yards total. There weren’t tons of chances for open field tackles considering there were 6 sacks and 14 tackles for loss, but any time somebody did get loose, Sylvester Smith was there to make the guy want to quit football. The tackling was better to say the least.
Another goal down.
Starting running back Damari Alston was out for this game due to an injury from Baylor. It seemed like if Auburn wasn’t playing Ball State, he probably could’ve gone in. But he wasn’t needed.
As far as in-game injuries it seemed like Auburn got out of it unscathed, but according to Coach Freeze in his press conference today, running back Durell Robinson had a freak injury that caused him to be flown to Birmingham to release blood from his leg. He’ll be out for a while. So unless Damari is very needed against South Alabama next week, it’s going to be Jeremiah Cobb and Omar Mabson (and maybe Alvin Henderson). Jeremiah, and his 3 touchdowns in 2 games, will be fine.
Either way, that’s one goal not really achieved.
The first home game of the season always has the chance to be the most fun atmosphere of the season. Yes, Iron Bowls and stuff like that will always win that battle, but after a good road win, and the first time back, against a team you won’t have any trouble with, those games are the best.
It was a sellout. The team played well enough to keep the crowd in it the whole time. There were lasers. It was dark by the time the 4th quarter light show started. There was zero pressure from the game. So it was just a good time.
There were some awful calls right before the 4th quarter light show that ended up giving Ball State their only points of the game, so it had the crowd a little more amped up, which made Swag Surfin’ and all that feel like a conference game.
Another goal down. That’s 3 out of 4.
All in all, aside from losing one running back, it was the perfect home opener. The offense worked some new plays and gave more things for other teams to worry about. The defense obviously worked on tackling and seemingly squashed that problem. And everybody had a good time.
It was a carefree, fun, and successful day in Auburn. Next week, we get to do it again. You just won’t get to tailgate as long. Bring on South Alabama.
