No practice report today because they went to the Saints indoor facility, but I talked to Sumrall and Mensah when they returned to the Wilson Center.
SUMRALL
On how the practice went:
“Solid. It went good. We didn’t have to trim out much of practice. We cut one good ons good period out today for travel and moved some meetings up, but all in all it went well.”
On not playing Kai Horton and putting in Kelen Tasby in fourth quarter v. Temple:
“Kai’s been our conventional backup. Ty’s done his package and can play and was just wanted to put Tasby in. He’s played enough snaps that we all know what he can do. He practices a lot with the varsity. And then Tasby didn’t really execute efficiently in there. He doesn’t get any reps with the big-boy group in practice during the week, so we went back to Ty there at the end.”
On O-line being one of 10 semifinalists for best group in country:
“It’s awesome. Proud of those guys. That’s one of my favorite awards in all of college football because it’s a unit award. They’ve been very solid, very steady. That’s a great group. Coach Roushar, coach McKissick, Logan Self, those guys do an amazing job. That group as a whole I love watching them play and watching them practice and love what they’re about. Very proud of their opportunity to be recognized for what they’ve done.”
On Derrick Graham being last one to join the line:
“He’s been pretty important. He’s been a good player for us. He’s gotten better and better as the year’s gone. He still has a lot of room to grow, but he has been a big-time addition for sure with Trey (Tuggle) being out.”
On what happened with Ronan Chambers (Akron transfer who committed to Tulane before choosing Auburn the same time as Graham committed from Texas A&M):
“It was pretty simultaneous. It was almost like weird. Derrick was probably already coming, but the kid didn’t know and it just timed out about the same. It was pretty wild.” ((Chambers has not started a game for Auburn)
On Navy struggling against the run:
“Some of that struggle against the run when you look at is they’ve had leads and played to not give up explosive plays. When you’re up 40-10, it’s like keep the ball in front and don’t let them hit over the top. I think they are probably a little bit better run defense than their statistical ranking. A lot of it is has to do with the flow of the game and how they’ve played at times, and when you get big leads and put backup players in games, you get more explosive runs just like we saw on our team last week. I wouldn’t put a whole lot of stock into it. I think they are actually a pretty good run defense.”
On Mensah being ready to throw a lot if needed:
“He’s ready to do whatever we need him to do. We’ve got to be ready to play the game however it’s dictated. I feel comfortable with Darian throwing it more. There have been probably more throws in the game plan than he’s had just by the flow of the game. Once you get up by 35-0, it’s hey, let’s not throw it down the field every play.”
DARIAN MENSAH
On anticipation for a game like this:
"I’m super excited about it. There’s going to be some adversity we face Saturday, and I’m excited to see the way our team responds.”
On if any team in league can match up with his receivers:
“I personally don’t think that. I just have a huge belief in my guys that if we prepare the right way and do everything right and the little things all week in practice, when it’s their time to shine, I’m sure they will. I have all the belief in the world in those guys.”
On significance of game:
“Coach Sumrall talks about us controlling our own destiny, and this is just another step. Going out and taking care of business is what’s on our mind Saturday, and I’m sure we’ll do that come Saturday.”
On if he would need to wipe off rust if he had to thrown a lot:
“I don’t feel I’ll have to wipe off rust. I work everything in practice, so when we need to throw the ball down the field 30 to 35 times a game, I’m ready. The receivers are ready.”
On Shazz Preston:
“The routes were a little messed up on that one. I was throwing to him. The other one was going across the safety to take him out of the picture, but it was great to see Shazz score that touchdown. It was huge for him. I feel like his role is going to grow in these next couple of weeks, and we’ll need him.”
On O-line being named one of 10 best in FBS (Joe Moore Award along with No. 9 Alabama, No. 16 Army, No. 5 Indiana, Iowa, No. 8 Notre Dame, No. 2 Ohio State, No. 1 Oregon, No. 6 Tennessee and No. 3 Texas)
“Well deserved for sure. They dominate week in and week out and just impose their will on other D-lines and other defenses. I’m proud of every single guy on that unit from CT to even the freshmen working out.”
On chance for him to have big game:
“I feel like if we push the ball down the field and complete our deep shots, I don’t think it will be really close. The defense is going to do what they do, and if we hit those deep shots we’ll be in good shape come Saturday.”
SUMRALL
On how the practice went:
“Solid. It went good. We didn’t have to trim out much of practice. We cut one good ons good period out today for travel and moved some meetings up, but all in all it went well.”
On not playing Kai Horton and putting in Kelen Tasby in fourth quarter v. Temple:
“Kai’s been our conventional backup. Ty’s done his package and can play and was just wanted to put Tasby in. He’s played enough snaps that we all know what he can do. He practices a lot with the varsity. And then Tasby didn’t really execute efficiently in there. He doesn’t get any reps with the big-boy group in practice during the week, so we went back to Ty there at the end.”
On O-line being one of 10 semifinalists for best group in country:
“It’s awesome. Proud of those guys. That’s one of my favorite awards in all of college football because it’s a unit award. They’ve been very solid, very steady. That’s a great group. Coach Roushar, coach McKissick, Logan Self, those guys do an amazing job. That group as a whole I love watching them play and watching them practice and love what they’re about. Very proud of their opportunity to be recognized for what they’ve done.”
On Derrick Graham being last one to join the line:
“He’s been pretty important. He’s been a good player for us. He’s gotten better and better as the year’s gone. He still has a lot of room to grow, but he has been a big-time addition for sure with Trey (Tuggle) being out.”
On what happened with Ronan Chambers (Akron transfer who committed to Tulane before choosing Auburn the same time as Graham committed from Texas A&M):
“It was pretty simultaneous. It was almost like weird. Derrick was probably already coming, but the kid didn’t know and it just timed out about the same. It was pretty wild.” ((Chambers has not started a game for Auburn)
On Navy struggling against the run:
“Some of that struggle against the run when you look at is they’ve had leads and played to not give up explosive plays. When you’re up 40-10, it’s like keep the ball in front and don’t let them hit over the top. I think they are probably a little bit better run defense than their statistical ranking. A lot of it is has to do with the flow of the game and how they’ve played at times, and when you get big leads and put backup players in games, you get more explosive runs just like we saw on our team last week. I wouldn’t put a whole lot of stock into it. I think they are actually a pretty good run defense.”
On Mensah being ready to throw a lot if needed:
“He’s ready to do whatever we need him to do. We’ve got to be ready to play the game however it’s dictated. I feel comfortable with Darian throwing it more. There have been probably more throws in the game plan than he’s had just by the flow of the game. Once you get up by 35-0, it’s hey, let’s not throw it down the field every play.”
DARIAN MENSAH
On anticipation for a game like this:
"I’m super excited about it. There’s going to be some adversity we face Saturday, and I’m excited to see the way our team responds.”
On if any team in league can match up with his receivers:
“I personally don’t think that. I just have a huge belief in my guys that if we prepare the right way and do everything right and the little things all week in practice, when it’s their time to shine, I’m sure they will. I have all the belief in the world in those guys.”
On significance of game:
“Coach Sumrall talks about us controlling our own destiny, and this is just another step. Going out and taking care of business is what’s on our mind Saturday, and I’m sure we’ll do that come Saturday.”
On if he would need to wipe off rust if he had to thrown a lot:
“I don’t feel I’ll have to wipe off rust. I work everything in practice, so when we need to throw the ball down the field 30 to 35 times a game, I’m ready. The receivers are ready.”
On Shazz Preston:
“The routes were a little messed up on that one. I was throwing to him. The other one was going across the safety to take him out of the picture, but it was great to see Shazz score that touchdown. It was huge for him. I feel like his role is going to grow in these next couple of weeks, and we’ll need him.”
On O-line being named one of 10 best in FBS (Joe Moore Award along with No. 9 Alabama, No. 16 Army, No. 5 Indiana, Iowa, No. 8 Notre Dame, No. 2 Ohio State, No. 1 Oregon, No. 6 Tennessee and No. 3 Texas)
“Well deserved for sure. They dominate week in and week out and just impose their will on other D-lines and other defenses. I’m proud of every single guy on that unit from CT to even the freshmen working out.”
On chance for him to have big game:
“I feel like if we push the ball down the field and complete our deep shots, I don’t think it will be really close. The defense is going to do what they do, and if we hit those deep shots we’ll be in good shape come Saturday.”
