AUBURN, Ala. (EETV) - After a dominant victory 60-10 in week one against Akron, the No. 25 Auburn Tigers now switch their focus to week two, where they will take on Alabama State on Saturday in Jordan-Hare.
As the Tigers put week one behind them, Head coach Bryan Harsin said the biggest thing moving forward into week two is maturity.
“Big thing this week is just our maturity level, for everybody in this building and just handling week two,” Harsin said. “Making sure our preparation and the things we learn from the week before how we translate that into this week.”
While Auburn’s 60-10 win was dominant on both sides of the ball, Harsin stresses that the team cannot buy into the “hype” and needs to stay focused for this week’s opponent.
“Just try to be as consistent as possible, so staying focused on the things that matter,” Harsin said.
Preparation is a keyword Harsin keeps repeating, saying the team needs to create a good mentality for the week, so they can have a successful week of practice leading up to Saturday.
Saturday’s matchup will be just the second time the Tigers and Hornets face-off, with the first coming just three years ago when Auburn topped Alabama State 63-9.
Both Auburn and ASU are 1-0 on the season, with the Hornets winning last weekend in overtime against Miles College.
The Alabama State Quarterback Ryan Nettles was the 2020 SWAC Freshman of the Year and was also a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award. In last Saturday’s game, he threw for 186 yards with 42 rushing yards.
“He’s a very good player, strong arm,” Harsin said on Monday. “I think this guy can do a lot of different things.”
Other players Harsin mentioned they need to watch are: running back Ezra Gray, tight end Terrance Ellis, left tackle Travon Taylor, defensive lineman Andrew Ogletree and linebacker Nicholas Terry.
“That’s our focus now going into this week, is getting ourselves prepared for Alabama State, the things we have to do to be a better football team than we were the previous game.”
For the Tigers, honorary captains for Saturday’s game will be T.D. Moultry and Brodarious Hamm, along with season-long captains Chandler Wooten and Owen Pappoe.
On Wednesday’s SEC coaches Teleconference, Harsin gave an injury update saying defensive backs Ladarius Tennison and Jaylin Simpson, along with wide receiver Tar'Varish Dawson Jr. will be available for Saturday. Simpson left last Saturday’s game in the first half while limping. Tennison and Dawson did not play at all Saturday.
As of now, no other players will miss Saturday's matchup.
Harsin and his Tigers will take on instate for Alabama State Saturday at 11 a.m. CT from Jordan-Hare Stadium. The game will be shown on SEC Network.
