Pass rush plays big role beating Rebels

AUBURN - That Auburn snapped its three-game losing streak Saturday against Ole Miss was huge.

The way the defensive line aided that effort by applying constant pressure to Rebels quarterback Jevan Snead is an even better indication for a thin Tigers defense.

Defensive coordinator Ted Roof didn't turn to any tricks. He didn't dial up more blitzes or try any stunts. Instead, he simply turned his defensive linemen loose.

The defensive line responded by sacking Snead three times, hurrying him on seven more occasions and harassing him into a pair of interceptions during Auburn's 33-20 win.

"I thought that was a big factor in the football game," Roof said. "We were able to get pressure with four on a pretty consistent basis, and that helps a lot of things. It allows you to get extra people in coverage and not feel like you have to blitz to get pressure on the quarterback.

"I thought that was an area we really improved and I thought coach Rocker and his group did a really great job."

Several defensive players, as well as Roof, thought Saturday's game marked the best performance by Auburn's defense all season.

Defensive end Antonio Coleman, a preseason all-SEC pick, turned in his best performance. The senior had four tackles for loss, a pair of sacks, four quarterback hurries and a forced fumble.

That effort earned him SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors.

It marked a drastic turnaround from a few weeks ago when Coleman went consecutive games without recording a single tackle.

Auburn coach Gene Chizik said it's no coincidence that Coleman has played better as his wrist injury has healed.

"You're seeing Antonio Coleman play with two hands now," Chizik said. "You're seeing him be more of what he was before he did that to his hand. Being a defensive lineman, obviously, that's a huge part of your world. So it was nice to see him getting some pressure."

When asked about his performance after the game Saturday, Coleman deflected much of the credit. Chizik agreed with that assessment.

Both Chizik and Coleman have seen a noticeable bump in the senior's production since Antoine Carter took over as the other defensive end.

Carter missed the first three games - and was hampered in a few more - after undergoing knee surgery in April. He also recorded half a sack during the victory.

Chizik said Carter's play has been a big boost for an Auburn defense in desperate need for one a few weeks ago. The Auburn coach also credited defensive tackles Jake Ricks, Mike Blanc and Nick Fairley for generating pass rush, but thinks his ends have provided the biggest difference.

"I think the edge pressure guys right now - I think that's making a huge difference," Chizik said.

Auburn needs the pass rush to be efficient more now than ever because of its situation at safety. Both projected starters Zac Etheridge and Mike McNeil are now out for the remainder of the season and top reserves Drew Cole and Aairon Savage are also out.

Because the Tigers are so thin at safety, they need all the help they can get in coverage.

That, Chizik said, means the line needs to continue to generate pressure without blitzing other defenders.

"You really have to be prudent about when you choose to do it," Chizik "For most of the day the four-man pass rush was - if it wasn't getting there it was at least hurrying the throws. So that was good to see and it was big."