How Auburn's defense approaches Ole Miss offense with Rebels' Kewan Lacy out

Ole Miss will be without a key piece of its offense when it plays Auburn Saturday.

Head coach Pete Golding announced Monday that starting running back Kewan Lacy will not be available against Auburn. Lacy dislocated his shoulder in the loss at Texas over the weekend.

Auburn defensive coordinator DJ Durkin is preparing for every option.

“I don't think it really changes what they do offensively in terms of their scheme, their system, what they do,” Durkin said. “He's a fantastic football player in a lot of ways. But we also have film of the guys behind as well because he's been in and out throughout the year.”

Lacy is the Rebels’ top rusher, leading the team with 78 carries for 388 yards rushing and five touchdowns this season. His absence paves the way for junior Makhi Frazier to take over the lead role for a second time this season, as Lacy missed the Florida game with an injury.

Frazier enters Saturday’s game with 51 carries for 301 yards rushing this season, with a standout performance against Missouri two weeks ago. He rushed for 101 yards on 15 carries against Missouri.

Other options for Ole Miss at running back include freshmen JT Lindsey and Shekai Mills-Knight. Lindsey has 25 carries for 86 yards rushing, while Mills-Knight has 42 yards rushing and a touchdown on four attempts this season.

“They have a really talented room right there,” Durkin said. “The running back room is talented. All those guys have the capability to function the way they want in offense.”

Auburn kicks off against Ole Miss at 11:45 a.m. CST. The game will air on SEC Network.

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