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Auburn breaks through in the 2nd quarter vs Tulane thanks to Will Hastings
Auburn scored 53 touchdowns in 2019 and over the coming weeks we are going to breakdown each one.
Following a dramatic victory over the Oregon Ducks, Auburn returned to the comfy confines of Jordan-Hare Stadium to play host to the Tulane Green Wave. Most Auburn fans had a healthy respect for this Green Wave squad specifically its solid front 7. But the belief was Auburn would eventually wear down the men in green and cruise to a comfortable victory.
Ya..... About that....
The Tulane defense gave the Tigers offense fits all night long hurt further by two JaTarvious Whitlow fumbles. The first quarter was especially painful with the Tigers trailing 3-0 at its conclusion. But Auburn broke through early in the 2nd.
Facing a 3rd & 2, Auburn got aggressive and it paid off.
It was pretty clear from the beginning Auburn’s offensive line was going to struggle moving Tulane’s defensive line at the point of attack. Instead of stubbornly attempting to slam the ball up the middle, something Auburn had done earlier in the game to no avail, Gus Malzahn got creative.
Most fans will recognize this play from 2017 when Kerryon Johnson planted the dagger in the Dawgs. Initially, Auburn lines up with Bo Nix in the shotgun and Boobee Whitlow aligned next to him. However, before the snap, Nix comes under center while Whitlow motions off-center beside Spencer Nigh. Anthony Schwartz comes across faking a jet sweep which draws a number of defenders. Meanwhile, Boobee sneaks out the backside where he has three blockers waiting for him to block a single defender. Granted that one Tulane defender almost blows it all up after he obliterates Marquel Harrell but he’s unable to redirect and stop Whitlow from picking up a massive gain.
Following a short run by Boobee Whitlow, Auburn goes to the air again and this time find the endzone.
This is a bust by Tulane’s defense. Auburn is in a 2x2 look with Will Hastings in the slot near side. The Tigers are running 4-Verts and the Green Wave have their best pass rusher matched up on Hastings. Following the snap, the man responsible for Hastings sits down in zone coverage. The corner to that side is in man on Seth Williams while the safety over the top is on the far hash leaving a ton of open space for Hastings.
Nix sees the bust and gets the ball out quickly to Will Hastings. It’s not a great throw but it gets to him nonetheless. Hastings then hits the one man who could have stopped him with a nice spin move resulting in 6 points for the Tigers.
War Eagle!
from College and Magnolia - All Posts https://www.collegeandmagnolia.com/2020/7/16/21323300/touchdown-auburn-hastings-spin-cycle-bo-nix-will-hastings
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