BULLDOGS:Auburn’s D has been stuffing the run
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State opens SEC play this week, and will it ever be evident.
No. 9 Auburn comes to Starkville for a 6 p.m. kickoff Saturday. The Tigers (2-0) can play a little offense – they’re averaging 393 yards per game – but the prevailing subject during Tuesday’s news conference was Auburn’s defense.
“They are a fast defense,” MSU coach Sylvester Croom said. “One of the fastest defenses we’ve played in quite some time.”
The Tigers are yielding 262.5 yards per game, including just 60.5 on the ground.
The run game, led by Anthony Dixon and Christian Ducre, is the Bulldogs’ strength.
Auburn plays a four-man front, and Croom expects new defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads to send eight men into the box. He also expects the Tigers’ secondary to play press coverage and dare quarterback Wesley Carroll to make plays.
“Our receivers are going to have to do a great job of recognizing what’s going on out there, and our quarterbacks as well,” Croom said.
9/10/08
