AUBURN NOTEBOOK: Tigers' red zone struggles continue

For Auburn, it’s simply been the “dead zone.”

After another game of ineptitude inside its opponents’ 20-yard line, Auburn dropped to dead last — out of 119 FBS teams — in red zone offense.

The Tigers came away with zero points in their two red-zone possessions Saturday against Georgia, dropping their success rate to 57 percent (20-of-35). The next worst team, Ohio University – a 2-9, last-place team in the Mid-American Conference – has come away with points in 64 percent of its 31 red-zone opportunities.

Since coach Tommy Tuberville fired offensive coordinator Tony Franklin, the Tigers have shown slow but steady improvement in both their running and passing games. Kodi Burns has emerged as a dependable quarterback, both from a running and throwing standpoint.

The expected kinks, though, have been most prevalent when that improvement is on the cusp of translating into actual points.

“I think we’ve gotten better between the 20s, but it hasn’t gotten much better down there,” Tuberville said.

“Sooner or later, you’ve got to make plays.”

If Tuberville’s definition of the red zone was the same as the NCAA’s, Auburn would be in an even deeper hole. He said after Saturday’s game that Auburn had actually blown four red-zone opportunities.

The two that don’t qualify stalled at the 25- and 24-yard lines, respectively. Kicker Wes Byrum missed a 42-yard field goal near the end of the second quarter and the Tigers turned the ball over on downs on their second-to-last drive in the fourth quarter, when Burns’ pass sailed just out of Montez Billings’ reach in the end zone.

“We’re not all one-sided, which is good,” Tuberville said. “When we get down there it’s even harder because people play you tighter and closer and more physical.

“You’ve got to be a much better offense inside the 20 than outside the 20 because of limited space.”

Where’s Mario?
Auburn’s biggest playmaker was on the bench when the Tigers were in dire need for one.

But there was a reason for Mario Fannin’s absence on the team’s final two, eventually-unsuccessful drives Saturday, Tuberville said.

Auburn was primarily passing the ball and needed a strong pass blocker, he said. That role was better suited for junior Ben Tate, not Fannin.

Not then, at least.

“We hadn’t had enough time with him in terms of protections and those things,” Tuberville said of Fannin, who was converted back to a tailback last month. “He’s getting better and better. (Tate’s) been there and done that. He understands it a lot better.”

Fannin accounted for Auburn’s only two touchdowns Saturday on two big plays. His 52-yard reception in the first quarter and his 35-yard run in the fourth made up the bulk of his 107 yards of total offense. He carried the ball just eight times, compared to Tate, who ran the ball 14 times for 37 yards.

“He was a little bit beat up too,” Tuberville said. “He’s not quite there yet, having not played tailback that much this year. He’ll be able to press along as we go.”

Two weeks of practice heading into the Nov. 29 Iron Bowl should equip Fannin to be prepared to pass block, Tuberville said.

Byrum, Trott likely done
A knee injury will likely keep kicker Wes Byrum out of the Iron Bowl, Tuberville said.

Wear and tear on Byrum’s right kicking knee has piled up, which will open the door for Morgan Hull to handle kickoffs, extra-points and field-goal attempts Nov. 29 against the Crimson Tide, Tuberville said.

After Byrum missed a 42-yard attempt in the first half, Hull warmed up on the sidelines the entire second half and was called upon for the extra point after Fannin’s second touchdown. Byrum’s knee injury served as a partial explanation for Hull’s appearance, Tuberville said.

“That’s one reason he didn’t kick the second half,” Tuberville said.

Byrum is 11-for-19 on field goals this season and just 3-for-7 on kicks longer than 39 yards.

The rest of tight end Tommy Trott’s season could also be in jeopardy because of a knee injury, Tuberville said.

Trott went down with the injury early Saturday and did not return. He caught 20 passes for 201 yards this season.

Gabe McKenzie, who was recently converted back to tight end, will likely start in Trott’s place.

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