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New Mexico Lobos quarterback Devon Dampier (4) escapes Auburn Tigers linebacker Eugene Asante (9) as Auburn Tigers take on New Mexico Lobos at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. Auburn Tigers defeated New Mexico Lobos 45-19.
Auburn did not have a super successful 2023-2024 season under head coach Hugh Freeze, but the Tigers were able to go bowling after finishing the regular season 6-6. One of the main reasons they were able to win enough games to qualify for the postseason was the defense, specifically the back-end of that defense.
With most of the defensive backs from a year ago now graduated or in the NFL, Auburn’s secondary was expected to take a step back this campaign. The linebacker core however, was supposed to improve, or at least stay the course, in 2024. That has not been the case, as the promising duo of Eugene Asante and Jalen McLeod have yet to make much of an impact through the first month of Auburn’s season.
Through the first 3 games, Auburn’s pair of experienced linebackers have just 17 combined tackles and one tackle-for-loss. That number is less than Asante’s individual total through the the first 2 games of 2023. While the blowout nature and game script of Auburn’s opening night victory over Alabama A&M didn’t offer much room for opportunity, the Tigers have certainly been forced into duty on the defensive end enough over the last pair of contents to warrant more production from the duo.
Asante and McLeod were a massive reason the Tigers were able to finish a top 25 defensive unit in 2023 according to ESPN FPI. With the defense struggling to find consistency to begin this season, defensive coordinator DJ Durkin needs his two best players to step up, especially this week.
Auburn’s front seven will have its hands full against Arkansas running back Ja’Quinden Jackson in…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/brians-column-time-auburns-linebackers-200059919.html
Author : Auburn Wire
Publish date : 2024-09-20 20:00:59
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