Alex Golesh is not happy with how his team finished the game against Ole Miss. The Auburn Tigers lost 45-15 on Saturday after giving up 28 unanswered points in the second half. Golesh told reporters that the lack of finish is the part that is making him sick. The team could not make plays when they needed them most.
Auburn looked competitive early but fell apart after halftime. The Tigers were outscored 31-6 in the second half of the game. Golesh admitted this was the first time he saw this kind of drop-off from his squad this season. The coaching staff and players must work harder to fix these issues before the next game.
The Running Game Fails to Click
The rushing attack was a major problem for Auburn on Saturday. The team entered the game hoping to exploit a weak Ole Miss run defense. Instead, the Tigers managed only 63 yards on the ground. Ole Miss had allowed an average of 161 rushing yards per game, which was the worst in the SEC. Auburn could not take advantage of that stat.
Golesh explained that his offense tried many different schemes to find a rhythm. They ran outside zone plays, gap schemes, and quarterback runs. “We kind of tried a little bit of everything to try to stay in rhythm,” Golesh said, according to Yahoo Sports. The effort did not pay off. The offense averaged about three yards on first down. This forced the team into tough third-down situations all day long.
The lack of success on the ground put too much pressure on the passing game. Even with good pass protection, the team could not move the chains. The running backs needed to get more yards to keep the defense honest. Without that balance, the offense stalled repeatedly.
Offensive Line Shuffle and Protection
Coaches made several changes to the offensive line before the game. Wilson Zierer moved to right tackle while Stanton Ramil played left tackle. Jacobe Ward got a chance to start, and Kenneth McManus shifted to the left side. Golesh stated that the staff felt this lineup gave them the best chance to win. “We felt like that was the group that gave us the best chance,” Golesh said.
Despite the struggles to run the ball, the pass protection was actually decent. Golesh noted that the line did a solid job keeping the quarterback safe for the most part. “I thought from a pass protection standpoint for the most part did a really solid job,” Golesh said. The line protects well but cannot open holes for the runners.
The inability to run the ball despite good protection points to a gap in the scheme or execution. It is not just about blocking; it is about the whole play working together. The linemen need to sustain their blocks longer.
Costly Mistakes and Self-Inflicted Wounds
Auburn made several avoidable errors that hurt their chances. One of the biggest blunders happened on a kick return. The team started a possession at their own 1-yard line after a bad play. When the other returner signaled that the play was dead, Jeremiah Cobb began to run the ball. This mistake gave Ole Miss great field position and helped them score.
Golesh took full responsibility for the error and other mistakes. “Like I own it, that’s on us,” Golesh said. The team finished the day with eight penalties for 67 yards. Pre-snap penalties and other sloppy plays kept the offense off the field. The second-half collapse began with these early errors.
The loss of field position and the penalty count show a lack of discipline. Young players often make these mistakes, but the coaching staff must fix them fast. A team cannot win if it gives away yards and downs freely. The penalties were a clear sign that the team was not focused. Golesh knows that these small errors lead to big losses.
The Path Forward for Auburn
Golesh issued a direct challenge to his players and coaches after the loss. He said that hard work is not enough if the results are not there. The team needs to improve its preparation for the next game. “If you think you’ve worked hard, you got to work harder,” Golesh said. This message is clear: the current effort level is not acceptable.
The coaching staff must figure out why the team fades in the second half. They need to find a way to run the ball against a bad defense. The special teams have been giving away yards and possessions.
Auburn cannot afford to keep losing games they should win. The coach is frustrated, and the fans are worried. The team must respond quickly. If they do not fix the lack of finish, the season could get much worse. The next game will show if they can learn from this mistake.
The facts from Saturday are hard to ignore. A 30-point loss, a failed running game, and a collapse in the second half.
