Auburn Trojans Pigskin Preview

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PIGSKIN PREVIEW TEAM CAPSULE

Auburn Trojans

COACH:  Dave Bates (220-93, 30th season at Auburn)

2014 RECORD:  9-3 (6-2 Sangamo)

POSTSEASON:  Lost to Williamsville 38-6 in 3A Quarterfinals

TOP RETURNEES:  WR/DB Drew Points (702 yds receiving, 8 TD’s), QB Drew Chance (1,701 yds passing, 15 TD’s), WR Nick Geoghegan (5’8”, 160), LB Colton McDannald (83 tackles in 2014), LB Sam Canaday (two year starter), OL Jake Roth (6’3”, 270), OL Zach Heren (6’3”, 250) 

BIG LOSSES:  Tyler Brown (155 total tackles), Noah Meyer (998 yds rushing, 20 TD’s), Scott McDermand, Mike McDermand, Everett Stevens, Cooper Eaker

WHAT THE TROJANS DO WELL:  “At this point, we’ve got a better grasp of the offense than we did a year ago," Bates says.  “(Drew) Chance has a full year under is belt and we didn’t have the learning curve we had last year."  Bates also points to his offensive line as an area of strength. “We’ve got three offensive lineman set (seniors Zach Heren & J.P. Painter, junior Jake Roth), where we had none last year."  

AUBURN QUESTION MARKS:  The Trojans have had to deal with couple of injuries this summer.  Receiver Drew Points hyper extended his knee, but is back full strength, while fellow wideout Nick Geoghegan has had a longer recovery time after hurting his pinky in a June 7 on 7.  The senior had surgery on the hand and medical personnel are yet to give a definitive timetable on his return, but Bates is hopeful to have him back for the start of games.  As far as replacing Noah Meyer, the school’s all-time leading rusher; Bates is mixing and matching at this point using seniors Colton McDannald and Sam Canaday at the tailback position and also mixing in junior Ryan McLaughlin.

WORTH NOTING:  This will be Coach Bates’ 30th year as the head coach of the Auburn football program and he will be doing it at a newly renovated facility.  The offseason project included new bleachers, a new press box, and a soon-to-be updated sound system. 

COACH BATES SAYS:  “There’s some teams that I’ve had a feeling, for whatever reason, that maybe, they might be special.  This might be one of those teams," Bates continues.  “I kind of got a good feeling about this bunch.  I really like the attitude.  If there’s something I’ve really noticed, it’s been that the attitude has been really good."