GRIBBLE COLUMN: Malzahn finds strength in numbers

MOBILE — Still searching for a major difference between Gus Malzahn and Tony Franklin?

Still wondering what the big difference is between the two media-anointed “gurus?”

Still in doubt about 2009’s offensive output being any better than the woebegone attack Auburn brought to the field in 2008?

Look no further than Malzahn’s cart on wheels.

Malzahn paced the sidelines of Ladd-Peebles Stadium on Tuesday night at the GMAC Bowl, his wheeled cart with flip numbers — pushed and operated by an assistant — yards ahead of him. The numbers, which get fervishly flipped by the assistant before each play of Malzahn’s no-huddle, fast-paced, spread offense, serve as the code to his version of the “System.”

Franklin, meanwhile, used three assistants and a variety of awkward arm movements to signal in his plays during his half-year tenure with Auburn.

The triceps and delts of Auburn’s graduate assistants are now safe.

Of course, there’s much more to it than that, and it’s not the only safe bet heading into a new era of Auburn football.

Positive momentum from the unanimously fan-supported hire of Malzahn was certainly maintained after his final showcase to Auburn fans.

Malzahn’s Golden Hurricane offense Tuesday night did the same three things it’s done in almost all of its games over the past two years.

Scored lots of points.

Racked up a bunch of yards.

And did it in a hurry.

The Golden Hurricane scored on their fourth play from scrimmage — a 30-yard pass from David Johnson to Demaris Johnson — that set the
stage for Tulsa’s dominant 45-13 rain-soaked GMAC Bowl victory over Ball State.

The final numbers were near carbon copies of what Malzahn’s top-ranked offense did throughout its season. Despite sloppy conditions, which were particularly messy during the second half, Tulsa finished with 441 rushing yards and 193 passing yards for a grand total of 634.

These were the type of numbers Auburn fans expected when Tommy Tuberville infamously netted Franklin, who did similar, big-number things at Troy.

Instead, Auburn finished 104 places behind Tulsa in total offense.

When he was introduced to the Auburn media a week ago, Malzahn went out of his way to halt the comparisons between he and Franklin.

“I’ve never met him,” Malzahn said. “I’m not very familiar with his system and can’t tell you much about it.”

He was more than happy to talk about his system, however, which he describes as “smashmouth,” but, to the non-offensive coordinator eye, certainly resembles the pass-happy offense Franklin envisioned bringing to the Plains.

Both were on display Tuesday night in the Port City.

Tulsa quarterback David Johnson rarely lined up directly behind center and was flanked by at least three receivers on nearly every snap. Motion was a constant.

As promised, Tulsa passed “vertically” and picked up large chunks of yards seemingly at will. Those were set up, of course, by a number of bubble screens, reverses and the pounding running of Tarrion Adams, who ripped off a number of big gains on draws and delays.

The pace was frantic, as the Golden Hurricane ran three plays in 28 game seconds at one point during the first half. Still, Tulsa ran it coolly, maintaining control throughout the entire game.

That’s where Malzahn’s cart with numbers comes into play.

The biggest difference between Malzahn’s offense at Tulsa and the product Franklin produced at Auburn was the composure and comfort the players had running it. Auburn rarely looked in sync under Franklin and it’s widely known that not everyone was on board and behind
Franklin’s “system.”

The numbers alone show just how comfortable Tulsa has been under Malzahn.

Franklin did not have time on his side at Auburn. Malzahn, in all likelihood, will.

Malzahn will likely need it, too, as he will have to adapt to the personnel he will inherit. Speedy, sure-handed receivers, a dual-threat running back and a reliable quarterback dot Tulsa’s offense.

It’s yet to be seen if Auburn has any of the three.

“If you look at the last three years, our offenses have been just a little bit different each year,” Malzahn said recently. “And the reason being, is adapting to your strengths.”

Malzahn’s strength, as was proven Tuesday night, is in his numbers. How fast Auburn will be able to crack and embrace his code will determine his success.

Andrew Gribble covers Auburn University for the Opelika-Auburn News. He may be reached at or 737-2561.