Tre Mason heard his coach’s criticism ring through his head — “below average.”
After watching film of the season-opening victory over Washington State, first-year Auburn coach Gus Malzahn was critical of his offense’s execution.
“I took it as a leader and spread the word to everybody, let everyone know that we have to progress every week,” Mason, Auburn’s junior tailback, said. “We’re trying to be the greatest team in college football. We’re trying to have the greatest turnaround in college football.”
Well, at least from Week 1 to Week 2, the turnaround on offense was evident.
Mason was one of five different Tigers to reach the end zone, all coming on plays of more than 10 yards, as Auburn (2-0) racked up 468 yards of offense and sent Arkansas State to its first loss in its past 10 games with a 38-9 dismantling Saturday night at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
“There were time guys knew what plays Coach was going to call before it was called because we’re starting to learn the offense more,” junior tailback Corey Grant said.
“When coach Malzahn came in, he set new standards with our plays and our game plan, and I believe it’s getting better each week. I saw it come together more this week.”
The comfort level with Malzahn’s offense was evident from the start as quarterback Nick Marshall opened 4-of-5 passing on the opening possession, including connecting with freshman receiver Marcus Davis for the pair’s first collegiate touchdown — an 18-yard strike up the middle.
“We took a big step forward, (but) we still have some things we need to work on,” said running back Cameron Artis-Payne, who led the team with 102 rushing yards on 19 carries, including a 12-yard touchdown with 1:43 left in the game.
“We’re going to get back at it tomorrow and see where we need to improve. We’re just going to keep getting better.”
After battling nerves in the opener, Marshall was a respectable 10-of-17 for 147 yards and two touchdowns, including a 68-yard bomb to Sammie Coats, hitting the sophomore in stride over the middle with 2:20 left in the first half.
“He ran a really good route at the top, and it was a really good throw,” Malzahn said. “That’s what it’s supposed to look like.”
At times, though, it just felt like they could walk into the end zone.
Taking the handoff from backup quarterback Jonathan Wallace, Grant saw the green of the end zone 17 yards ahead of him. Running a sweep to the right, the tailback cut up field, side-stepping the heap of teammate Jaylon Denson and Arkansas State (1-1) defensive back Brock Barnhill, and practically glided past the goal line untouched to put Auburn ahead 14-3 on the team’s second possession.
It was in those moments that Malzahn saw his Tigers getting their “edge” back.
“The tempo, at times, was a lot better. There was a drive going to our left that we got it going, and we ran the power and counter a couple of times,” Malzahn said. “(We) got some momentum, scored a touchdown. I thought it was better tonight.”
Leading 21-3 at halftime, Auburn’s offense became stagnant on its first two possessions of the third quarter, while Arkansas State scored back-to-back field goals to pull within 21-9.
But with four minutes left in the frame, things just started clicking as Marshall connected on a 7-yard screen pass to Trovon Reed, followed by six consecutive runs by Mason and Artis-Payne for a combined 46 yards, mostly coming up the middle, to the Red Wolves’ 11-yard line.
Mason then took the handoff from Marshall to the left and coasted into the left corner of the end zone for an 11-yard touchdown to slam the window shut out Arkansas State.
