Auburn, AL (EETV)- Auburn head coach, Gus Malzahn, previewed the first game of the 2020 season against Kentucky on Tuesday. Malzahn expressed how the team is eager to get the season underway as the COVID-19 pandemic has brought upon a new sense of urgency for Malzahn and the Auburn football team. "Just the excitement has been completely different for our players. Even this Sunday’s practice was different because you could tell the urgency. I know for myself that it feels like game week and we finally got to that point."
Malzahn recognized the challenges that the Wildcats will bring to Jordan-Hare Stadium on September, 26. This Kentucky team shows depth as the offense is bringing back strength on offense in with four returning starters upfront as well as returning most of their players on defense. "We’re going to have to execute. This will be a game about execution, especially on offense, because they don’t make a lot of mistakes.”
Auburn is returning depth with veteran receivers, Anthony Schwartz and Eli Stove along with sophomore quarterback Bo Nix. Auburn is also adding many new faces to the line-up. Malzahn says "I’m really excited about this year’s team. We have all kinds of new faces out there. I believe we have 13 new starters, so I’m really excited to watch this team grow."
Malzahn is counting on a home-field advantage to play a factor in Saturday's game despite the new normal. The atmosphere at Jordan-Hare will be in the hands of the Auburn University students. Malzahn is confident that the students will create an environment that the team can count on. "The fact that the majority of our fans are going to be students – our student section is always one of the best, if not the best in the country and I know they’re going to have their A-game and they’ll be loud as possible to help us win."
The #8 Auburn Tigers will take on the #23 Kentucky Wildcats at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 11 am CT. The game will be aired on the SEC Network.
