Instant Scanning: Auburn # 8 Passes Kent State for Latest Focus Before SEC Game



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Boobee Whitlow crosses the traffic against Kent State during the first half of Auburn's victory.

The Auburn Run brings the Tigers to victory against Kent State

This is more like the Auburn offense that many expected to see from Gus Malzahn.

Auburn strangled Kent State Saturday night, 55-16, behind an effective and explosive attack. The Tigers set the race early against the Golden Flashes, with Boobee Whitlow leading the way, and quarterback Bo Nix got a more effective pass-pass effort. This combo, combined with risky Malzahn gambling calls, allowed Auburn to win an easy reunion win as the team headed for the SEC's 3-0 game on the year.

Todd Van Emst / AU Athletics

Kam Martin of Auburn scores the second touchdown of the first half against Kent State.

The Auburn racing game finds its balance

The Auburn race had a slow start in each of his first two wins. This was not the case against Kent State, Auburn making a concerted effort to launch his hasty attack on the Golden Flashes.

The Tigers ran the ball six times in their first touchdown touchdown, and the team had 142 yards rushing and two goals in 12 carries at the end of the first quarter. Boobee Whitlow led the way, finishing with 135 yards and two goals in 17 carries, and the Tigers with three 100-yard defensemen (Shaun Shivers and Joey Gatewood were the others) to allow Auburn to finish with 467 yards and an impressive 7 , 5 yards. carry. It was the Tigers' best effort since last season, with 543 yards rushing against Arkansas.

Butch Dill / AP Photo

Kent State quarterback Dustin Crum (14) is hit by Auburn's defensive end Big Kat Bryant (1) as he throws the ball in the first period.

The Auburn Pass passes without Derrick Brown

Auburn played most of the game on Saturday without his best defensive player, while defensive tackle Derrick Brown left the game in the first quarter with an undisclosed injury and did not return to the match, ending the night in uniform. of city on the sidelines. Without Brown, however, Auburn's defensive line has been strengthened. Although the group was successful in creating pressure during the first two weeks, the number of bags was not there. That changed against Kent State, while the Tigers finished with backpacks, including 2.5 defending SEC defensive lineman Marlon Davidson and 1.5 defensive bull Tyrone Truesdell.

Butch Dill / AP Photo

Quarterback Auburn Bo Nix (10) carries the ball in the first half against Kent State.

Bo Nix more effective, makes games with the legs

Bo Nix kicked off the third week with the second-worst percentage of completions among the SEC's qualified quarterbacks, but the real Auburn freshman has managed his most effective match so far. Nix completed 12 of 16 passes, totaling 161 yards and a touchdown against Kent State, including a 49-yard career pass on a third-quarter shot at Eli Stove for a touchdown. Of Nix's four failures, two were dropped, while the other two were thrown back by bullets to allow the receivers to open.

Nix has also made games with his legs. He finished with just 21 rushing yards in the night, but on Auburn 's first touchdown, he totaled 17 and 18 yards to help establish the Tigers' first score.

Michael Chang / Getty Images

Outback receiver Eli Stove clocked a third quarter against Kent State.

Game play: Auburn chips in the third quarter

With just over 6 minutes left in the third quarter on Saturday night, Gus Malzahn got his hands dirty. Auburn faced a first and ten from the 49-yard line of Kent State when Malzahn unleashed a flicker flicker. Bo Nix took the picture and handed it to running back Kam Martin, who then sent him back to Nix, who found Eli Stove very open right in the middle of the field. Nix completed the 49-yard pass at Stove for a touchdown and a 38-10 lead. It was the longest run of the young Nix career.

Butch Dill / AP Photo

Offensive back-up Auburn JaTarvious Whitlow (28) carries the ball as he tries to get around Kent State's linebacker Cepeda Phillips (4) during the first half.

Player of the match: Boobee Whitlow

Auburn Halfback's attacking midfielder launched the attack against Kent State, accumulating 135 yards and a pair of touchdowns in 17 runs. It was his second performance in 100 rushing yards in three games this season.

Tom Green is a reporter for Auburn's Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Tomas_Verde.

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