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Auburn Football vs. Vanderbilt: Five Auburn Players to Watch for
Here we take a look at five Auburn football players to watch for as the team takes on Vanderbilt this Saturday.
There was too much to say about Auburn’s win over Ole Miss last weekend. Oxford, Miss. was a place where Auburn had the final opportunity to define a season, and they did so emphatically.
Kamryn Pettway is now the 19th player in Auburn history to have over 200 yards rushing in a game, with the 10th best overall at 236 yards. His 41-yard touchdown was not only the longest of his career, it was the shot that made a name for Auburn coming in at No. 9 in the first College Football Playoff rankings.
Auburn took the punches and continued to roll against the Rebels and eventually pulled away with the 40-29 win.
Now 16-2 under Gus Malzahn when scoring 40 or more points, the season was not only defined, but there is increasingly more room for questioning.
This is not the team that was supposed to bring their record to 8-0 against quarterbacks throwing 400 or more yards, and this was not the team that was supposed to come out of Oxford with confidence.
This is the team that now has a chance — slim, but still a chance — to go to the SEC Championship, stun Alabama and stumble the College Football Playoff Committee.
How quickly things can change.
Here are five Auburn football players to watch for as the Commodores come to town and hope to silence the Tiger hopeful:
Kamryn Pettway
All you needed to do was watch.
Kamryn Pettway has slowly taken over at the running back position while Kerryon Johnson recovers from a rolled ankle, despite Johnson’s two rushing touchdowns, and is now 67 yards away from a 1,000 yard season.
Certainly another product of Gus Malzahn’s desire to rush on every single down, Pettway took over against Ole Miss.
This was his third straight 150-yard game and fifth 100-yard game of the season, and his 236 yards are a new career high after rushing for his previous mark at 192 last week.
This was against a tough Rebel defense, and with Vanderbilt coming to town, this type of performance is a definite possibility.
Carl Lawson
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Tied for second in the SEC in sacks at eight, Carl Lawson is becoming the linebacker that it was hoped he would be.
Lawson has not only been the anchor on defense, alongside defensive back Tre’ Matthews’ ability to be present on practically every tackle, but he has been a menace to opposing offensive schemes.
It’s hard to consider the possibilities of Vanderbilt scoring more points than Auburn this coming Saturday, as the prolific Arkansas failed to get even four.
With a defense captained by Lawson, it’s an almost impossibility to say the Commodores will come out with a victory.
Montravius Adams
The first blocked PAT was not only Montravius Adams’ second blocked kick of the season, it was the first blocked PAT since Angelo Blackson against Alabama in 2014.
Seemingly, it would be difficult to get a kick over a massive — yet quick and agile — defensive tackle with a seemingly petite No. 1 jersey.
Adams is a wall on the defensive line and will stop whatever he wants. Vanderbilt’s offensive line has faltered routinely this season, and Adams will burst through with force.
If the Commodore offense has any chance of getting 10 yards, they will have to get through the glare of Adams.
Oct 29, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Sean White (13) carries the ball during the second half of the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Auburn won 40-29. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Sean White
It’s becoming clear that Sean White is following more of a routine than the constant expectations.
White now has eight career 200-yard passing games and has 24 completions for 20 or more yards after only having 13 last season.
He’s not the deciding factor, but he brings balance to the rushing force — even adding on his spice to the assault on occasion.
Sure, he’s the quarterback and he has the game on his shoulders, but White is only doing what is needed of him. Right now, that’s all that is desired.
Asking any more of White would be obnoxious, but the prolific pro-style slinger has great potential to do great things, and games like Vanderbilt give players like White a chance to give off some flair.
Tray Matthews/Tre’ Williams
The best offense is a surprising, unwarranted and fairly dominant defense. Tray Matthews has taken the lead in tackles for Auburn at 50 — just one ahead of Tre’ Williams.
Tre’ and Tray have been tackling machines in recent weeks, with Tray getting the edge with 11 total tackles — the most in his career at Auburn — in the win against Ole Miss.
The Brothers Three are as consistent as you can get, and every defensive down typically has their name showcased. Look for these two to continue their usual play against Vanderbilt.
Here’s to Daniel Carlson, who last week broke the Auburn record for 130 consecutive successful PAT attempts. David Ross, too.
War Eagle!
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