INSIDE O News O Team Rosters O Staff Commentary O O Picks O Predictions O Previews O Auburn Football VOL.Tiger 108 NO. 279 SATURDAY, Tailgater OCTOBER 12, 2013 75 CENTS www.oanow.com historichistoric run run Tre Mason and the rest of Auburn’s backfield leaving legacy at Running Back U East Lake MICHAEL ALLEN ESTATES HOMES Enjoy the journey For more information on The Providence building your custom home Great for game day entertaining! Call Michael Allen Monk www.MichaelAllenHomes.com (334) 559-2408 2 N SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2013 TIGER TAILGATER OPELIKA-AUBURN NEWS N www.oanow.com PUTTING ITALLTOGETHER Marshall’s play picks up as comfort level, offense develops BY ALEX BYINGTON sometimes-reserved Mar- [email protected] shall to really open up and get to know his fellow Nick Marshall had been Tigers. waiting all season for a “It just (seems) like he’s night like last Saturday. making more friends Not necessarily with on the team and a lot of regard to his stats, which people see his ambition were impressive, but with to be (great) and to want his comfort-level within to lead us and help us Auburn head coach Gus win,” Robinson said. “And Malzahn’s up-tempo of- that’s playing a toll. And fense. his confidence is getting And it all started with a high and he’s able to be little read. himself.” On the Tigers’ opening Those friendships have series against then-No. 24 developed, especially Ole Miss — two plays af- with backfield-mate Ma- ter a 29-yard screen pass son and a small collection to junior running back of other offensive players. Tre Mason — Marshall “We’re real close,” Ma- saw Rebels defensive end son said. “He is quiet in CameronWhigham crash- the locker room at times, ing in from the left side. (but) he’s (also) getting Pulling the ball in rather real comfortable in the than handing it to Mason, locker room, becoming a who was immediately hit team leader, leading the by Whigham, Marshall cut ALBERT CESARE/[email protected] defense and the offense.” up where Whigham had Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall has helped the Tigers to a 4-1 record with both his arm — against Mississippi State, pictured That leadership has just been, slipping be- above — and legs — Ole Miss last week. The junior college transfer signal-caller is questionable for Saturday’s homecoming been apparent, guiding game against Western Carolina after suffering a knee injury late in last week’s victory over the Rebels. tween two diving Ole Miss Malzahn’s up-tempo of- defenders as he sprinted EDITOR’S NOTE homecoming matchup games, Marshall’s play — up,” sophomore left tackle fense with precision when 28 yards down the left with FCS opponent West- while impressive at times Greg Robinson said. “But his team has needed him sideline before cautiously » The content deadline for ern Carolina at 1 p.m. — was rather stilted and we’re behind him 100 per- the most. On Auburn’s stepping out at the Reb- Tiger Tailgater is Thursday Saturday at Jordan-Hare inconsistent as he worked cent, and I think he’s no- three touchdown-scoring els’ 12-yard line. afternoon. For the most Stadium, Marshall — if his way into Malzahn’s ticing that and he realizes drives against Ole Miss, “It gave me a lot of up-to-date information he plays — is in line to complicated up-tempo we want to win, and he’s Marshall accounted for adrenaline on the inside on Auburn football, visit continue to build off last scheme. trying to step up and play 186 of his 233 total yards and I was just going off OANOW.COM/SPORTS. week’s performance de- Outside of a perfectly a part in the big wins.” on 27 plays, rushing for my instincts on the field spite being a little banged executed game-winning Despite some nerves 110 yards and two touch- and just playing fast,” him to be more aggres- up with a right knee injury. drive in the final 2 min- and adjustment issues downs on nine carries and Marshall said of the play sive running the football,” Malzahn said Wednesday utes against Mississippi with his teammates, Mar- finishing a perfect 5-of-5 after the game. Auburn offensive coordi- night that Marshall has State, Marshall had left shall was able to display for 76 yards passing. Executing the read-op- nator Rhett Lashlee said. gotten healthier through- a lot to be desired with enough of his athletic “He’s kind of a quiet guy, tion effectively for what “I felt like he definitely out the week. Though the regard to his overthrown ability to earn the starting he doesn’t say much,” seemed like the first time had, not just statistically, head coach wouldn’t rule deep passes to speedy re- quarterback job 2½ weeks Malzahn said. “He comes all season, Marshall con- but you could just tell he it out completely, he did ceiver Sammie Coates or into fall camp. to practice, he practices tinued to take advantage seemed faster. say the chances of Mar- his at-times head-scratch- “Our quarterback, we hard every day. He’s got of Ole Miss’ crashing ends “I think he was playing, shall missing Saturday’s ing fumbles and intercep- knew when he got here he a great attitude. He’s very and pulled his way to a just playing and react- game were slim. tions. But there were also could really create things coachable and his team- career-high 140 rushing ing and not thinking too “I would say there’s a flashes of brilliance that on the ground. The other mates respect that. He’s yards on 14 carries while much. I think that helped chance (he won’t play),” kept the Auburn coaches night, he showed a lot of earned their respect and passing for 93 yards in the him quite a bit make some Malzahn said. “Probably believing he’d finally put toughness, too,” Malzahn really trust in a short pe- 30-22 upset. really good plays and re- not a very good chance, it all together. said of Marshall. riod of time.” “I thought Nick did a ally good runs.” but there’s a chance.” That moment came That creativity is what While not very loud or really good job. We want Entering a favorable Through the first four against Ole Miss. has had many around excitable on the field or “I’m feeling way more the program, fans and when speaking to the me- comfortable now,” Mar- coaches alike, really eager dia, Marshall is still able shall said. “I’ve done set- to see Marshall put it all to open up with his team- tled into the offense … together. mates. and I’m just playing to my Six weeks into the sea- As he was exiting the ability now. It got really son, it appears he’s done interview room following relax. easy (running the read- just that. the Ole Miss victory, Mar- The hardest part is choosing a color. shall shouted “Tre May” pedicures option plays).” “He’s getting to where starting at But things haven’t al- he’s more reactive and he while passing Mason in Lee Spa Nails $ ways been so “easy” for doesn’t have to think so the middle of a throng of 20 Marshall. much. When you get to reporters. 334-749-0072 Since transferring to that point, that’s good,” “He’s goofy, funny. He’s campus late this summer Malzahn said. “Last week like my brother,” Ma- 2195 Tiger Town Pkwy, Suite #970, Opelika Walk-ins Welcome! Call for Open 7 days a week: Mon--Sat: 9am--8pm, Sun: 11am--6pm more info about our services. from Garden City (Kan.) (coming off the bye) was son said, not holding Community College, Mar- really good for him, hav- back a laugh as he likely shall has been behind the ing the week off before imagined an inside joke 8-ball compared to many that and to get better at amongst the two. “We’ve of his teammates that that.” got a lot in common: Same CATERING CHOICES were a part of the team Helping matters is his goal, same dream.” during spring practices. rising comfort level with And it’s that shared We make any Tailgate Party delicious! “I think as he first came his new teammates. dream that has everyone into the offense, he was Coming into a com- at Auburn believing Mar- ® Ask your Sandwich Artist for details! more afraid of messing up pletely new situation, it shall’s time is coming — and really couldn’t open took a little while for the sooner rather than later. Cookie Platters “He’s kind of a quiet guy, he doesn’t say much. He comes to practice, he practices hard every day. He’s got a great attitude. He’s very coachable and his teammates respect that. He’s earned their respect and really trust in a short period of time.” Gus Malzahn, Auburn head coach, on quarterback Nick Marshall Sandwich Platters Giant Subs Auburn’a first full service cigar shop and lounge!! Yes, you can smoke inside! 8 LOCATIONS IN THE AUBURN/OPELIKA AREA Scan for location nearest you! 2328 S. College St. • Ste. 12 • Auburn 24-hour advanced notice for three or more platters www.havanadreaming.com • 334-246-3111 OPELIKA-AUBURN NEWS N www.oanow.com TIGER TAILGATER SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2013 N 3 Line shows up for Tigers as defense grows BY ALEX BYINGTON On Sunday, Garner took and 305-pound tackle [email protected] to Twitter to express those Montravius Adams.