Auburn’s final nonconference game is just a few days away. No. 23 Auburn (2-1) will host Georgia State (1-2) on Saturday for homecoming on the Plains, with kickoff set for 3 p.m. on SEC Network.
Before the Tigers close out their non-SEC slate against the Panthers, head coach Bryan Harsin made his weekly appearance on the ‘Tiger Talk’ radio show, joining hosts Andy Burcham and Brad Law to preview this weekend’s homecoming game.
Below is a recap of Harsin’s segments on Wednesday’s show:
BRYAN HARSIN
-- Auburn had a “good” Wednesday practice. Harsin lauds the scout team for its work today, noting that Georgia State’s option offense is “difficult to defend.”
-- On what he asked of the team on Sunday after a late night against Penn State: “We hung onto that (loss) until we had a chance to watch and review, so we didn’t flush it right away.” Wants his team to focus on the things from that loss that Auburn could control. Take it and learn from it, apply it moving forward.
-- The goal is always “don’t make the same mistake twice... Move on, make new mistakes” and do the best you can.
-- On what he’s most encouraged by through three weeks, Harsin points to the play of the offensive line, especially in the run game. Adds in the tight ends for what they’ve done in run-blocking, as well as the play of Tank Bigsby and Jarquez Hunter.
-- On what Auburn needs to work on: Creating explosive plays, hitting throws down the field. “We need to balance that out.”
-- On Zakoby McClain’s targeting ejection: “You can’t go back and change it once it’s confirmed.” Says McClain did everything he could to not put himself in that position. McClain will miss the first half of the Georgia State game due to the ejection.
-- Owen Pappoe’s “getting himself healthy. Hopefully we’ll get him back” this weekend.
-- Georgia State is going to try to run the ball, but Harsin says the Panthers will try to take their shots downfield. For Auburn defensively, it’s about staying disciplined.
-- On Shaun Shivers’ return: “We get more explosive with him out there, no doubt about it.” Also notes how much energy Shivers brings in practice. “He’s stronger, faster. He’s going to provide another opportunity, a spark to do some things.”
-- On this week’s honorary captains, Luke Deal and Marquis Burks, Harsin says their hard work has not gone unnoticed.
-- On the wide receivers, says he thinks they need more out of their depth. “At that position, there’s opportunities to go out there and make plays.... We’ll see what that depth looks like.”
Tom Green is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Tomas_Verde.