Offensive solutions

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AUBURN, Ala. | Why is Auburn ranked 111th nationally in scoring offense and 112th in total offense? Rhett Lashlee knows.

Auburn's offensive coordinator has the solution to fixing the Tigers' woes, but can the plan be executed? That's a question that has to be answered on the field.

A good place to start is on first downs where penalties and negative plays have often put Auburn behind the chains.

"We've been in more second-and-10, second-and-15s," Lashlee said. "The other night, we had two penalties. One to start a drive after a sudden-change turnover and the other one in tempo. You can't do that. It's unacceptable. It puts you behind the chains and now you're trying to catch up.

"If you're not as good on first down, it puts you in situations. You want to make it third-and-manageable, but you also need explosive plays, so being in first-and-10, we have to be more productive."

Did you mention explosive plays? That's another sore spot for Lashlee. Auburn's offense has 62 percent less explosive plays through four games than a season ago.

"We haven't been doing it," Lashlee said. "Some of that is to how we've been played. Some of that is to how we've been playing. There's no question we've got to make people defend the whole field better than we have been."

A third issue is tempo, which used to be an important component of a Gus Malzahn offense. Auburn has run 266 plays this season, which ranks 76th in the country.

The Tigers did pick it up against Mississippi State last week. After averaging 62.7 plays per game the first three weeks, Auburn ran 78 plays against the Bulldogs.

One of the things that has slowed down the offense is the number of substitutions Auburn is making each possession.

"We've looked at simplifying some things. I think we've done that so far this week," Lashlee said. "One thing we did not do well at all the first three games was having a tempo. We had better tempo last game, part of that was because we were staying on the field longer. We had almost 80 plays, we had more plays, we had more tempo, what we didn't do was finish drives, so it all goes hand in hand."

MORE FROM LASHLEE

On if Sean White will have expanded passing role this week...

"Will he have a more expanded passing role? He wasn't limited last week. He'll do whatever the game plan calls for."

On the health of Roc Thomas...

"He's good, hasn't missed a beat."

On previously dismissing concerns about Thomas' durability...

"I don't know if I dismissed questions about his durability, I think I said we felt better because he's put on some weight. Maybe I did, if so I'll stand corrected at some point. We have been curious about how his durability would be, and so far he's continued to play. Until he can prove he can go for a stretch without getting nicked up, durability is a question."

On running back Kerryon Johnson...

"Kerryon, like we were saying even in fall camp, the moment is not too big for him. Things are slow enough and mentally he's picking everything up. We gain more and more confidence with him every week. He's explosive, he makes some really good plays and he will continue to be a big part of what we do."

On why Kerryon didn't play in the 2nd half, if he was injured...

"No, no, he's good. Peyton was running the football really well there for a good clip and right now he's the guy that's proven, from the ball security standpoint and just the toughness standpoint, he can carry that load. That's not to say Kerryon couldn't, though."

On if Jovon Robinson can have a bigger role this season...

"He definitely can get involved. We've been playing the guys that have been earning it in practice and that have obviously been the healthiest."

On Stanton Truitt getting more opportunities...

"Just gives you an opportunity for more explosive plays. Stanton's got world-class speed. He's not the biggest guy, but if you give him a crease, he's got a chance to pop it. The other night the last guy just barely tripped him up, it was a touchdown. He's one of those guys that can be a one play drive at any time."

On how Jeremy Johnson is doing...

"He's been doing well. Nobody likes to be in that situation. I'm proud of how he's handling it right now. It's not easy, it's a lot harder than people really think for a young man. He's done a really good job, and his teammates are supporting, and helping him."