Nice piece on PB and the running backs. Malzahn has always had at least one back go for 1,000. We're less than half way through and Barber has 411.
By Tom Green tgreen@oanow.com
AUBURN - The verdict is still out, but Peyton Barber has stated his case.
Four games into Auburn’s season, Barber has made a case to be the preeminent running back in the Tigers’ pass-first, play-action offense in an attempt to earn the lion’s share of touches out of the backfield this year. Head coach Gus Malzahn still seems to be intent on using a backfield-by-committee to some extent, however.
“ It is starting to get a little bit more clear,†Malzahn said Tuesday. “The fact we had a couple of those guys banged up and all that has slowed it down a little bit. Things are starting to become clear. Each week, it will clear itself up, I believe.â€
Through the first month of the season, Barber has done his best to clear things up for Malzahn and offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee. The third-year sophomore has put together three 100-yard games in the Tigers’ first four games and is coming off a career-high 137-yard performance in last week’s loss to Mississippi State.
Barber is fifth in the Southeastern Conference (and 24 th in the nation) in rushing yards with 411 and is averaging 102.75 yards per outing. He also leads the league in impact plays — plays that result in either a first down or a touchdown — with 32 this season.
“ I feel like I’m an every-down back but at the same time I get stronger as the game goes on,†Barber said after last week’s game.
Barber has proven himself to be the most reliable option in Auburn’s crowded backfield, which opened the season as a four-man race for the No. 1 spot and has remained muddled despite Barber’s steady production.
Barber has stepped up time and time again when his number has been called while other running backs, like Roc Thomas and Jovon Robinson, have been slowed by recurring ankle injuries this season. Both Thomas and Robinson exited the second quarter of the season opener against Louisville with ankle injuries. Thomas sustained another injury last week against Mississippi State while Robinson’s ankle issue has persisted and affected his time on the field.
Thomas’ durability has long been a question surrounding the former five-star prospect, and coaches thought that would improve this season.
“We have been curious about how his durability would be, and so far he’s continued to play,†Lashlee said Wednesday. “Until he can prove he can go for a stretch without getting nicked up, durability is a question.â€
That hasn’t been the case with Barber, who has remained healthy despite averaging 20.25 carries per game. His 81 carries are 15 th -most in the country this season.
“Peyton has shown a lot of toughness and has done a solid job for us,†Malzahn said. “Most importantly, though, Barber has been able to protect the football when it’s placed in his hands. Barber has yet to fumble the ball in his 81 rushing attempts, which has particularly impressed Auburn’s coaching staff.
All of that has combined for a compelling case for Barber to be the featured back in Auburn’s offense, and the 5-foot-11, 225-pounder will make his fourth consecutive start on Saturday when the Tigers take on San Jose State for homecoming.
“Peyton was running the football really well there for a good clip and right now he's the guy that's proven, from the ball security standpoint and just the toughness standpoint, he can carry that load,†Lashlee said.
He won’t be the only running back to see the field against the Spartans, however. The Tigers still plan to utilize Thomas, as well as freshman Kerryon Johnson. Robinson could also see his role expand as the season progresses, according to Lashlee.
Johnson in particular has been a breath of fresh air for a struggling offense. The true freshman has shown big-play capability and elusiveness while carrying the ball 11 times for 50 yards and making seven catches for 56 yards in limited action.
“We really think each game he has improved with the experience he’s had,†Malzahn said of Johnson. “With young guys you always worry about ball security, and he’s done a really good job holding on to the football. He’s got that ability to make people miss if you can put him in one-on-one situations. So far, I feel like he’s done a good job.â€
Good enough to earn a bigger role in the offense and potentially provide a change-of-pace option behind Barber, who has proven he can be a reliable running back but has yet to show he can be a big-play threat.
“The moment is not too big for (Johnson),†Lashlee said. “Things are slow enough and mentally he's picking everything up. We gain more and more confidence with him every week. He's explosive, he makes some really good plays and he will continue to be a big part of what we do.â€
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