Offensive lineman Jacobe’ Ward made his first start of the season this past Saturday against Ole Miss. It was the second-straight game he saw action, after playing on the last drive against LSU.
Ward discussed how getting reps against LSU prepared him to make the start against the Rebels.
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“I really used that as an advantage to go out there and play full speed and play it to my expectations,” Ward said.
Another change that was made on the offensive line was was moving freshman guard Wilson Zierer out to tackle.
Ward assessed how the freshman played in his first start at that position.
“Wilson, he's a freak athlete,” Ward said. “He's a one-of-a-kind freshman, and if he just keep on stacking days, keep on getting better every single day, there's no doubt in my mind he will be a first-round pick.”
Despite the changes, the Auburn rushing attack was virtually non-existent against Ole Miss. The Tigers only managed 63 yards on the ground.
Ward talked about where some of the emphasis was this week in an effort to open up better holes against Arkansas.
“Paying attention to what Coach Huddy tells us as soon as we come off the field,” Ward said. “Like, for emphasis, on our mid-zones, Coach Huddy, he was telling us certain techniques to take, because we were doing the wrong things in the first quarter, but as soon as we started doing the right techniques, the right fundamentals, then everything started flowing.”
As it has been for most of the year, the offensive line continues to be a revolving door, as coaches search for the right combination of players along the front to be effective.
Ward shared what it would mean to be able to earn his second-straight start, with this one being at home in front of the Auburn faithful.
“That would mean a lot, especially for just me and my family,” Ward said. “Man, it would just be crazy. It would be a crazy experience, and I just want to just keep gaining on from there, hopefully just earn this full-time job.”
Auburn returns to Jordan-Hare Stadium this Saturday, hoping to pick up their third win at home on the season. It would also be its second SEC win at home in four tries.
The Arkansas Razorbacks stand in its way, a team that has beaten the Tigers on its home turf the last two times. The Tigers look to end that streak on Saturday at 11:45 a.m. CST.
Auburn Undercover is an independent Auburn sports media company covering Auburn athletics, recruiting and insider news.
