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It’s game day at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, where Auburn (6-4) plays No.14 Northwestern (6-2) in today’s Citrus Bowl. The notebook will be updated regularly until the start of the game, which will be broadcast by ABC at noon CST.
WHO WILL PLAY AND WHO WILL NOT PLAY?
The good news on the injury front for Auburn ahead of the Citrus Bowl game against Northwestern is that safety Jermaine Sherwood, who was considered questionable earlier in the week, is expected to play. But that’s about all of it.
Cornerback Roger McCreary, running back Tank Bigsby, nickel running back Christian Tutt and offensive tackle Brodarious Hamm are set to miss today’s game. Defensive tackle Tyrone Truesdell is on the move and will likely only play in an emergency situation. All are either injured or facing COVID-19 issues.
Receiver Anthony Schwartz and running back Mark-Antony Richards have retired.
Offensive coordinator Chad Morris said training in such uncertainty is nothing new this season.
“It’s kind of the norm,” Morris said. “It’s kind of what we’ve had to deal with all year. You don’t know from match to match or from practice to practice who will be there. It was really business as usual. It matches what 2020 has been. “
The COVID-19 plague hit Auburn once again on Thursday when an unidentified player tested positive on the eve of Friday’s game against Northwestern at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando.
Interim head coach / defensive coordinator Kevin Steele did not identify the player in a pre-game press conference via Zoom on Thursday, but sources tell Auburn Undercover that he is a starter.
“We had a positive this morning, so that changes,” Steele said. “That’s how fast it changes. We practiced all week. We are ready to get on a plane and we have a bright spot, so now we have to adapt. – Phillip Marshall
HOW IT WORKS ON THE SIDELINE LINE
Steele, appointed interim head coach after Gus Malzahn was fired on December 13, considers his main job for today’s game to be leading the defense. There will be times when he is busy making defensive adjustments and offensive coordinator Chad Morris will be making all the decisions. Steele will make most of the game management decisions.
For the first time since joining the staff before this season, Morris will call the games without the contribution of head coach Gus Malzahn, fired the day after the end of the regular season. – Phillip Marshall
AUBURN’S BOWL GIFTS
While players may not enjoy normal pre-game activities in Orlando, like trips to theme parks, they do receive gifts from Auburn and bowl officials. The Tigers received $ 400 Amazon gift cards, an OGIO backpack, Under Armor luggage, a watch, and Auburn gear and clothing.– Mark Murphy
TENNISON MAKES BIG MOVEMENTS
Freshman Ladarius Tennison has become a key player for Auburn at the star position (nickel). He got his first start in a 24-10 victory at Mississippi State and will start again today.
“Ladarius played really well,” said Steele. “He played like a starter. We see it starting at the star position. He has really improved and is a very good footballer. – Phillip Marshall
MORRIS ON MALZAHN
Morris greeted Malzahn, his longtime friend. They worked together this season for the first time.
“My reaction was much like everyone in the building when it all happened,” Morris said. “It’s a difficult time. You sort of go through different phases when this happens. I was just there to tell him how much I appreciate him. Our relationship goes back a long way. I was just there to lend an ear and lend a hand. I owe a lot to Coach Malzahn and what he did. I want to wish him the best for the future. “- – Phillip Marshall
BOWLING TIGERS
Auburn is in a bowling game for the eighth consecutive season, the first time since 2000-2007 with Tommy Tuberville as head coach. The Tigers are 24-18-2 in previous bowl games. This will be AU’s sixth appearance in a bowl played in Orlando and the Tigers will look to improve to a 3-2 record. Previous competitions include games against Boston College (won 33-26 in 1982) Southern Cal (won 16-7 in 1987) Michigan (lost 31-28 in 2001), Penn State (won 13-9 in 2003) and Wisconsin ( 24 -10 loss in 2006).– Mark Murphy
STEELE’S FOCUS ON THE PLAYERS
Steele was in the news after Malzahn was fired and the search that ultimately resulted in Bryan Harsin unfolded. Steele was among the candidates interviewed. He said he and other assistants remained focused on the job at hand.
“It wasn’t what you think it could be,” Steele said. “I had a job to do in terms of replacing Coach. We have good staff here who are very competent coaches. You know, Chad on the offensive, Larry Porter, special teams coordinator. So putting it all together was not difficult.
“The main objective, we have remained focused on our players. That’s what we did. Obviously, there was other stuff going on, but it wasn’t under my control. It was under someone else’s control. And so when someone else is in control you just put your head down and do your job and what you get paid for and let things go the way they can because you can’t. controlling things that cannot be controlled. – Phillip Marshall
THE STOVE MOVES THE LIST TO
Senior Eli Stove is sixth in Auburn history in career entertaining before the VRBO Citrus Bowl. If he makes five catches, he will overtake Tyrone Goodson (1993-97) for fifth on the list. With junior wide receiver Anthony Schwartz not playing in the bowl game, Schwartz is second on the team in receiving yards and first in total catches this season. The stove is expected to play a more important role. He has 1,157 career receiving yards and six touchdowns as well as 554 rushing yards with four touchdowns.
Stove caught 77 passes thrown by Bo Nix, a total that ranks 10th in Auburn history. With two receptions in Orlando, the duo can move up to seventh place. The lead pair is Jarrett Stidham – Ryan Davis with 154. Nix and current junior wide receiver Seth Williams are No. 3 on the roster with 101 receptions.– Mark Murphy
KICKING CARLSON BROTHER, NO. 2
Anders Carlson begins the final game of his junior season with 268 points, which ranks sixth behind 1985 Heisman Trophy winner Bo Jackson. His brother, Daniel, is number one on the list by a wide margin with 480 points scored in 2014- 17.– Mark Murphy
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