Auburn notebook: Pettway is no factor for second straight week

Montgomery Advertiser

Auburn running back Kerryon Johnson (21) is run out of bounds by Mississippi State defensive back Chris Rayford (24) during the NCAA football game between Auburn and Mississippi State on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017 in Auburn, Ala.

AUBURN — For the second straight week, Kamryn Pettway was not a factor in Auburn’s rushing attack despite being active to play.

Unlike the previous week at Missouri, Pettway did receive some action Saturday in Auburn’s dominating 49-10 victory over No. 24 Mississippi State but the Montgomery native only received five carries.

“Kerryon is playing with a band on his leg," Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn said after the game. "The fact that he’s not 100 percent says a lot about him. We put (Kamryn) Pettway in there, and he’s not quite at 100 percent, either. I was proud of Kerryon and the job that he did.”

Pettway has been dealing with a plantar fasciitis issue in his right foot but once again his production wasn’t needed as Auburn rushed for 267 yards. Pettway had a third-quarter fumble on only his fifth carry of the night.

More:Going big: Auburn using big plays to dominate Mississippi State 49-10

Auburn (4-1, 2-0 in SEC) was led by the rushing effort of Kerryon Johnson as the former Mr. Football selection in the state of Alabama finished with 116 yards on 23 carries and two touchdowns allowing the 240-pound Pettway to limit his physical contact.

For the first time since the 2017 Sugar Bowl and the first time in the regular season since last November, Auburn coaches were expecting to Pettway and Johnson in its backfield. However, after racing out to a 21-3 lead over the overmatched Bulldogs, Pettway’s physical pounding was saved for the second half.

Analysis:Auburn's first real SEC test two weeks away at LSU – maybe

Johnson, who started and injured his hamstring in the season opener against Georgia Southern, returned from injury with five touchdowns in a 51-14 victory at Missouri.

Johnson injured his ankle in the first quarter of the 38-14 victory over MSU in Starkville and allowed for Pettway to take a career-high 39 carries for 169 yards and three touchdowns a week after Pettway was held out of action. In this one-year switch, Johnson was the star in Auburn’s backfield as Pettway basically watched from the sideline.

More:3 things worth talking about the Auburn Tigers - Kamryn Pettway mere afterthought in Tigers' offense

Prince Tega taken out of the starting lineup

The makeshift of Auburn’s offensive line continues as sophomore Prince Tega Wanogho was benched for the first time this season in place of the tackle combination of Austin Golson on the left side and the reemergence of Darius James at right tackle.

"We just wanted to put more experience there (at tackle)," Malzahn said. "Prince Tega is going to be a great player but we thought our best five right now is when we have some experience out there."

Wanogho had started each of the first four games of the 2017 season but James’ return from his scary neck injury against Mercer two weeks ago forced more shifting by Auburn offensive line coach Herb Hand.

“The Tuesday practice, one of our hardest working days, just so we know what is going on and he broke it to Prince Tega," James said after the win. "Prince took it well and Prince is a competitor. He wants to get better and it’s not going to do anything but make us better."

Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham (8) throws a pass during the NCAA football game between Auburn and Mississippi State on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017 in Auburn, Ala.

For the second straight week, Jacksonville State graduate transfer Casey Dunn got the start at center allowing Golson, a Prattville native, to move to left tackle in place of Wanogho. Last week Golson was at right tackle in Auburn’s 51-14 victory at Missouri.

Walk-on Aidan Marshall gets the punter duties for first time in 2017

Auburn’s punter changed Saturday night and freshman Aidan Marshall had a very pleasant outing as the walk-on finished with a 36.3 average on three punts including a 47-yard boot. Two of Marshall’s punts were downed inside the opponents’ 15-yard-line.

“In the past two weeks Aidan has certainly proved himself. He won the competition, putting in that extra effort at practice, and that’s why we figured we’d give him a chance," Malzahn said. "Sometimes we worry about putting our new guys in, but he did a good job and I was impressed.”

Auburn has handed the punting job over to sophomore Ian Shannon for the first four games of the 2017 season but Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn had said the last two weeks that the position would be once again up for grabs after Shannon failed to get proper distance on his kicks.