“I challenged our coaches to don’t treat it like a mock week. Treat it like a normal game week because what happens sometimes too, if you treat like a mock week and it’s like well we’ll get to that next week.”
This is how Auburn football head coach Alex Golesh is approaching the final week before the Tigers game against Baylor. He felt the team was as intentional as they have been during Saturday’s practice. Golesh said the goal now is to build on that.
“Biggest thing for our kids, the challenge…we talked about this morning extensively in our first team meeting just the focus piece. The ability to eliminate distractions.”
Some aspects of the team Golesh and his coaches are still working through is depth. Golesh previously said he wanted a solid six man rotation at wide receiver. He told the media today one guy he has been impressed with is Sam Turner. Golesh talked about how it’s been a long journey for Turner to get back to full strength.
“He’s just learning and gaining confidence. He’s kinda that wild card in the sense of missed spring, missed a large chunk of summer. It’s just learning and figuring out what it’s like to play snap to snap, but he’s smart. He’s mature, he’s got good hands.”
The Tigers added another receiver to the roster last week. Tray Turner was granted an extra year through the NCAA’s new classification rule. Golesh says they are still working to finalize Turner’s status, but he is cleared to practice. Golesh talked about what he hopes Turner will bring to the team once he can play fully.
“The skill set as a returner was the most intriguing piece…he was as dynamic the last two years both at Coastal and Troy as a returner. Hopefully as he gets cleared we will be able to use him in that way.”
Offensively, as a whole, Golesh feels his team is ahead of where a typical first year staff would be. He attributes that to having players who have played in his system before. Golesh and the coaches have already began their scout on Baylor. He gave some insight into what they have already found out about Auburn’s week one opponent.
“The challenge these guys present is a new QB…An offense a year ago that once they get going can tempo you. We feel like we are prepared in that regard…there’s a ton of new guys…very much some unknowns so that’s probably the biggest challenge.”
Golesh feels the key to a successful season is how quickly his young guys will grow up. Auburn returns to the practice field tomorrow morning.
Auburn Undercover is an independent Auburn sports media company covering Auburn athletics, recruiting and insider news.
