2018 Auburn Tigers football team

2018 Auburn Tigers football
2018 Auburn Tigers football
Music City Bowl champion
Music City Bowl, W 63–14 vs. Purdue
Conference	Southeastern Conference
	Western Division
Record	8–5 (3–5 SEC)
Head coach	Gus Malzahn (6th season);
Offensive coordinator	Chip Lindsey (2nd season)
Co-offensive coordinator	Kodi Burns (3rd season)
Defensive coordinator	Kevin Steele (3rd season)
Home stadium	Jordan–Hare Stadium
	Seasons ← 2017 2019 →

The 2018 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tigers played their home games at Jordan–Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama and competed in the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). They were led by sixth-year head coach Gus Malzahn. The Tigers finished the season 8–5, 3–5 in SEC play to finish 5th in the West Division. They were invited to the Music City Bowl, where they defeated Purdue.

2018 Southeastern Conference football standings
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
East Division
No. 7т Georgia x	7	–	1	11	–	3
No. 12 Kentucky	5	–	3	10	–	3
No. 7т Florida	5	–	3	10	–	3
South Carolina	4	–	4	7	–	6
Missouri	4	–	4	8	–	5
Vanderbilt	3	–	5	6	–	7
Tennessee	2	–	6	5	–	7
West Division
No. 2 Alabama x$^	8	–	0	14	–	1
No. 16 Texas A&M	5	–	3	9	–	4
No. 6 LSU	5	–	3	10	–	3
Mississippi State*	4	–	4	8	–	5
Auburn	3	–	5	8	–	5
Ole Miss	1	–	7	5	–	7
Arkansas	0	–	8	2	–	10
Championship: Alabama 35, Georgia 28
^ – College Football Playoff participant $ – Conference champion x – Division champion/co-champions * Mississippi State vacated four conference and eight total wins due to NCAA violations.^[1] Rankings from AP Poll

Recruiting

Position key

Back	B	Center	C	Cornerback	CB	Defensive back	DB
Defensive end	DE	Defensive lineman	DL	Defensive tackle	DT	End	E
Fullback	FB	Guard	G	Halfback	HB	Kicker	K
Kickoff returner	KR	Offensive tackle	OT	Offensive lineman	OL	Linebacker	LB
Long snapper	LS	Punter	P	Punt returner	PR	Quarterback	QB
Running back	RB	Safety	S	Tight end	TE	Wide receiver	WR

Recruits

The Tigers signed a total of 24 recruits.

US college sports recruiting information for 2018 recruits
Name	Hometown	High school / college	Height	Weight	Commit date
Joey Gatewood QB	Jacksonville, Florida	Bartram Trail High School	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	232 lb (105 kg)	Dec 5, 2015
Joey Gatewood QB	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Shaun Shivers RB	Hollywood, Florida	Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory School	5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)	174 lb (79 kg)	Oct 26, 2016
Shaun Shivers RB	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Jalil Irvin OG	Stone Mountain, Georgia	Stephenson High School	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	296 lb (134 kg)	Mar 8, 2017
Jalil Irvin OG	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Kameron Stutts OG	Killen, Alabama	Brooks High School	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	329 lb (149 kg)	Apr 8, 2017
Kameron Stutts OG	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Kolbi Fuqua WR	Cordova, Alabama	Cordova High School	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	210 lb (95 kg)	Apr 8, 2017
Kolbi Fuqua WR	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Daquan Newkirk DE	Windermere, Florida	Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	282 lb (128 kg)	Jun 1, 2017
Daquan Newkirk DE	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Shedrick Jackson WR	Birmingham, Alabama	Hoover High School	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	205 lb (93 kg)	Jun 26, 2017
Shedrick Jackson WR	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Quindarious Monday S	Atlanta, Georgia	Carver High School	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	Jul 11, 2017
Quindarious Monday S	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Josh Marsh LB	Decatur, Alabama	Decatur High School	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	216 lb (98 kg)	Jul 21, 2017
Josh Marsh LB	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Michael Harris LB	Tucker, Georgia	Tucker High School	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	213 lb (97 kg)	Jul 24, 2017
Michael Harris LB	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Jamien Sherwood S	Jensen Beach, Florida	Jensen Beach High School	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	195 lb (88 kg)	Jul 25, 2017
Jamien Sherwood S	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Matthew Hill WR	Snellville, Georgia	Brookwood High School	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	Aug 17, 2017
Matthew Hill WR	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Asa Martin RB	Decatur, Alabama	Austin High School	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	193 lb (88 kg)	Aug 24, 2017
Asa Martin RB	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Coynis Miller DT	Birmingham, Alabama	Jackson-Olin High School	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	290 lb (130 kg)	Oct 14, 2017
Coynis Miller DT	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Christian Tutt CB	Thomson, Georgia	Thomson High School	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	184 lb (83 kg)	Nov 14, 2017
Christian Tutt CB	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Seth Williams WR	Cottondale, Alabama	Paul W. Bryant High School	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	212 lb (96 kg)	Nov 23, 2017
Seth Williams WR	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Richard Jibunor LB	Athens, Georgia	Athens Christian School	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	206 lb (93 kg)	Nov 23, 2017
Richard Jibunor LB	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Zakoby McClain LB	Valdosta, Georgia	Valdosta High School	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	205 lb (93 kg)	Nov 28, 2017
Zakoby McClain LB	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Arryn Siposs P	Melbourne, Australia	Prokick Australia	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	198 lb (90 kg)	Dec 12, 2017
Arryn Siposs P	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Kayode Oladele DE	Miami, Florida	Champagnat Catholic School	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	235 lb (107 kg)	Dec 17, 2017
Kayode Oladele DE	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Anthony Schwartz WR	Plantation, Florida	American Heritage School	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	172 lb (78 kg)	Jan 4, 2018
Anthony Schwartz WR	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Harold Joiner RB	Mountain Brook, Alabama	Mountain Brook High School	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	218 lb (99 kg)	Jan 14, 2018
Harold Joiner RB	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Roger McCreary DB	Mobile, Alabama	Williamson High School	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	178 lb (81 kg)	Jan 24, 2018
Roger McCreary DB	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Caleb Johnson LB	Columbus, Georgia	Northside High School	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	245 lb (111 kg)	Feb 7, 2018
Caleb Johnson LB	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Overall recruiting rankings:
Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "Auburn Football Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 18, 2018. "2018 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 18, 2018.

Spring game

The A-Day spring game was held on Saturday, April 7. Bad weather led to the lowest attendance for A-Day in the Gus Malzahn era as head coach, as only 28,033 showed up. The game was dominated by defense, and only 28 total points were scored between the two teams. Many starters did not play or did not see significant time on the field due to the amount of injuries Auburn had already suffered during the spring. For their performances, C.J. Tolbert was named Offensive MVP, Nick Coe was named Defensive MVP, and Anders Carlson was named Special Teams MVP.

2018 Auburn A-Day Game

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Blue	3	0	0	7	10
Orange	2	13	0	3	18

at Jordan-Hare Stadium • Auburn, Alabama

Date: April 7, 2018
Game time: 3:00 p.m.
Game attendance: 28,033
TV announcers (SEC Network): Clay Matvick (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (analyst), Laura Rutledge (sideline reporter)

Preseason

Award watch lists

Listed in the order that they were released

Award	Player	Position	Year
Lott Trophy^[2]	Deshaun Davis	LB	SR
Chuck Bednarik Award^[3]	Javaris Davis	CB	JR
Chuck Bednarik Award^[3]	Dontavius Russell	DT	SR
Maxwell Award^[4]	Jarrett Stidham	QB	JR
Davey O'Brien Award^[5]	Jarrett Stidham	QB	JR
Fred Biletnikoff Award^[6]	Ryan Davis	WR	SR
Butkus Award^[7]	Deshaun Davis	LB	SR
Bronko Nagurski Trophy^[8]	Derrick Brown	DL	JR
Bronko Nagurski Trophy^[8]	Marlon Davidson	DL	JR
Outland Trophy^[9]	Derrick Brown	DL	JR
Wuerffel Trophy^[10]	Derrick Brown	DL	JR
Walter Camp Award^[11]	Jarrett Stidham	QB	JR
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award^[12]	Jarrett Stidham	QB	JR
Manning Award^[13]	Jarrett Stidham	QB	JR
Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award^[14]	Jarrett Stidham	QB	JR

SEC media poll

The SEC media poll was released on July 20, 2018 with the Tigers predicted to finish in second place in the West Division.^[15]

Predicted finish	Team	Votes (1st place)
Media poll (West)
1	Alabama	1,971 (263)
2	Auburn	1,664 (19)
3	Mississippi State	1,239 (2)
4	Texas A&M	1,091
5	LSU	1,025
6	Ole Miss	578
7	Arkansas	412

Preseason All-SEC teams

The Tigers had nine players selected to the preseason all-SEC teams.

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 1	2:30 p.m.	vs. No. 6 Washington*	No. 9	Mercedes-Benz Stadium Atlanta, GA (Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game)	ABC	W 21–16	70,103
September 8	6:30 p.m.	Alabama State*	No. 7	Jordan–Hare Stadium Auburn, AL	SECN	W 63–9	84,806
September 15	2:30 p.m.	No. 12 LSU	No. 7	Jordan–Hare Stadium Auburn, AL (rivalry)	CBS	L 21–22	86,787
September 22	6:30 p.m.	Arkansas	No. 11	Jordan–Hare Stadium Auburn, AL	SECN	W 34–3	84,188
September 29	3:00 p.m.	Southern Miss*	No. 10	Jordan–Hare Stadium Auburn, AL	SECN	W 24–13	83,792
October 6	6:30 p.m.	at Mississippi State	No. 8	Davis Wade Stadium Starkville, MS	ESPN2	L 9–23	60,635
October 13	11:00 a.m.	Tennessee	No. 21	Jordan–Hare Stadium Auburn, AL (rivalry, SEC Nation)	SECN	L 24–30	84,589
October 20	11:00 a.m.	at Ole Miss		Vaught–Hemingway Stadium Oxford, MS (rivalry)	ESPN	W 31–16	56,885
November 3	11:00 a.m.	No. 20 Texas A&M		Jordan–Hare Stadium Auburn, AL	ESPN	W 28–24	85,945
November 10	6:00 p.m.	at No. 5 Georgia	No. 24	Sanford Stadium Athens, GA (Deep South's Oldest Rivalry)	ESPN	L 10–27	92,746
November 17	3:00 p.m.	Liberty*		Jordan–Hare Stadium Auburn, AL	SECN	W 53–0	81,129
November 24	2:30 p.m.	at No. 1 Alabama		Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL (Iron Bowl, SEC Nation)	CBS	L 21–52	101,821
December 28	12:30 p.m.	vs. Purdue*		Nissan Stadium Nashville, TN (Music City Bowl)	ESPN	W 63–14	59,024
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll and CFP Rankings after November 5 released prior to game All times are in Central time

^[16]

Game summaries

Vs. No. 6 Washington

2018 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game
No. 6 Washington Huskies vs. No. 9 Auburn Tigers – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 6 Washington	3	10	0	3	16
No. 9 Auburn	9	6	0	6	21

at Mercedes-Benz Stadium • Atlanta, Georgia

Date: September 1, 2018
Game time: 2:43 p.m.
Game weather: Indoors
Game attendance: 70,103
Referee: John O'Neill
TV announcers (ABC): Steve Levy (play-by-play), Brian Griese (analyst), Todd McShay (sideline reporter)

Game information

Alabama State

Alabama State Hornets at No. 7 Auburn Tigers – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Alabama State	0	2	7	0	9
No. 7 Auburn	21	21	7	14	63

at Jordan-Hare Stadium • Auburn, Alabama

Date: September 8, 2018
Game time: 6:39 p.m.
Game weather: Temperature: 87° • Wind: SE 5 mph • Weather: Partly cloudy
Game attendance: 84,806
Referee: Hubert Owens
TV announcers (SEC Network Alternate): Mark Neely (play-by-play), Barrett Jones (analyst), Taylor Davis (sideline reporter)

Game information

No. 12 LSU

No. 12 LSU Tigers at No. 7 Auburn Tigers – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 12 LSU	7	3	3	9	22
No. 7 Auburn	0	14	7	0	21

at Jordan-Hare Stadium • Auburn, Alabama

Date: September 15, 2018
Game time: 2:39 p.m.
Game weather: Temperature: 93° • Wind: N 10 mph • Weather: Partly Cloudy
Game attendance: 86,787
Referee: John McDaid
TV announcers (CBS): Brad Nessler (play-by-play), Gary Danielson (analyst), Jamie Erdahl (sideline reporter)

Game information

Arkansas

Arkansas Razorbacks at No. 9 Auburn Tigers – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Arkansas	0	0	3	0	3
No. 9 Auburn	10	7	7	10	34

at Jordan-Hare Stadium • Auburn, Alabama

Date: September 22, 2018
Game time: 6:39 p.m.
Game weather: Temperature: 85° • Wind: SE 9 mph • Weather: Partly cloudy
Game attendance: 84,188
Referee: Ken Williamson
TV announcers (SEC Network): Tom Hart (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (analyst), Cole Cubelic (sideline reporter)

Game information

Southern Miss

Southern Miss Golden Eagles at No. 10 Auburn Tigers – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Southern Miss	0	3	3	7	13
No. 10 Auburn	7	7	7	3	24

at Jordan-Hare Stadium • Auburn, Alabama

Date: September 29, 2018
Game time: 3:01 p.m.
Game weather: Temperature: 85° • Wind: 3 mph NW • Weather: Sunny
Game attendance: 83,792
Referee: David Smith
TV announcers (SEC Network): Dave Neal (play-by-play), D.J. Shockley (analyst), Dawn Davenport (sideline reporter)

Game information

At Mississippi State

No. 8 Auburn Tigers at Mississippi State Bulldogs – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 8 Auburn	3	0	3	3	9
Mississippi State	3	10	3	7	23

at Davis Wade Stadium • Starkville, Mississippi

Date: October 6, 2018
Game time: 6:35 p.m.
Game weather: Temperature: 81° • Wind: SE 3 mph • Weather: Clear skies
Game attendance: 60,635
Referee: James Carter
TV announcers (ESPN2): Mark Jones (play-by-play), Dusty Dvoracek (analyst), Molly McGrath (sideline reporter)

Game information

Tennessee

Tennessee Volunteers at No. 21 Auburn Tigers – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Tennessee	3	10	14	3	30
No. 21 Auburn	10	7	0	7	24

at Jordan-Hare Stadium • Auburn, Alabama

Date: October 13, 2018
Game time: 11:01 a.m.
Game weather: Temperature: 70° • Wind: N 6 mph • Weather: Sunny
Game attendance: 84,589
Referee: Matt Austin
TV announcers (SEC Network): Dave Neal (play-by-play), D.J. Shockley (analyst), Dawn Davenport (sideline reporter)

Game information

At Ole Miss

Auburn Tigers at Ole Miss Rebels – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Auburn	7	3	21	0	31
Ole Miss	3	3	3	7	16

at Vaught-Hemmingway Stadium • Oxford, Mississippi

Date: October 20, 2018
Game time: 11:02 a.m.
Game weather: Temperature: 59° • Wind: • Weather: Cloudy
Game attendance: 56,885
Referee: David Smith
TV announcers (ESPN): Adam Amin (play-by-play), Rod Gilmore (analyst), Quint Kessenich (sideline reporter)

Game information

No. 25 Texas A&M

No. 25 Texas A&M Aggies at Auburn Tigers – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 25 Texas A&M	3	14	7	0	24
Auburn	7	7	0	14	28

at Jordan-Hare Stadium • Auburn, Alabama

Date: November 3, 2018
Game time: 11:03 a.m.
Game weather: Temperature: 53° • Wind: SE 3 mph • Weather: Sunny
Game attendance: 85,945
Referee: Ken Williamson
TV announcers (ESPN): Bob Wischusen (play-by-play), Brock Huard (analyst), Allison Williams (sideline reporter)

Game information

At No. 5 Georgia

Auburn Tigers at No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Auburn	7	3	0	0	10
No. 5 Georgia	3	17	0	7	27

at Sanford Stadium • Athens, Georgia

Date: November 10, 2018
Game time: 6:10 p.m.
Game weather: Temperature: 45° • Wind: Calm • Weather: Clear
Game attendance: 92,746
Referee: John McDaid
TV announcers (ESPN): Sean McDonough (play-by-play), Todd Blackledge (analyst), Holly Rowe (sideline reporter)

Game information

Liberty

Liberty Flames at Auburn Tigers – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Liberty	0	0	0	0	0
Auburn	15	17	21	0	53

at Jordan-Hare Stadium • Auburn, Alabama

Date: November 17, 2018
Game time: 3:01 p.m.
Game weather: Temperature: 66° • Wind: NW 2 mph • Weather: Sunny
Game attendance: 81,129
Referee: Jason Autrey
TV announcers (SEC Network Alternate): Richard Cross (play-by-play), Hutson Mason (analyst), Taylor Davis (sideline reporter)

Game information

At No. 1 Alabama

Auburn Tigers at No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Auburn	7	7	7	0	21
No. 1 Alabama	7	10	21	14	52

at Bryant-Denny Stadium • Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Date: November 24, 2018
Game time: 2:39 p.m.
Game attendance: 101,821
Referee: Hubert Owens
TV announcers (CBS): Brad Nessler (play-by-play), Gary Danielson (analyst), Jamie Erdahl (sideline reporter)

Game information

Vs. Purdue

2018 Music City Bowl
Purdue Boilermakers vs. Auburn Tigers – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Purdue	7	0	7	0	14
Auburn	28	28	7	0	63

at Nissan Stadium • Nashville, Tennessee

Date: December 28, 2018
Game time: 12:33 p.m.
Game attendance: 59,024
Referee: Brad Van Vark
TV announcers (ESPN): Anish Shroff (play-by-play), Ahmad Brooks (analyst), Roddy Jones (sideline reporter)

Rankings

Ranking movements
**Legend:** ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
	Week
Poll	Pre	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	Final
AP	9	7	7	9	10	8	21	—	RV	RV	RV	RV	RV	—	—	RV
Coaches	10	7	7	11	10	9	21	RV	RV	RV	RV	RV	RV	—	—	RV
CFP	Not released									—	24	—	—	—	—	Not released

Players drafted into the NFL

Round	Pick	Player	Position	NFL Club
3	94	Jamel Dean	CB	Tampa Bay Buccaneers
4	133	Jarrett Stidham	QB	New England Patriots
5	171	Darius Slayton	WR	New York Giants
6	210	Deshaun Davis	LB	Cincinnati Bengals
7	233	Chandler Cox	FB	Miami Dolphins
7	235	Dontavius Russell	DT	Jacksonville Jaguars

References

[1]

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Search

2018 Auburn Tigers football team

Contents

Recruiting

Position key

Recruits

Spring game

Preseason

Award watch lists

SEC media poll

Preseason All-SEC teams

Schedule

Game summaries

Vs. No. 6 Washington

Alabama State

No. 12 LSU

Arkansas

Southern Miss

At Mississippi State

Tennessee

At Ole Miss

No. 25 Texas A&M

At No. 5 Georgia

Liberty

At No. 1 Alabama

Vs. Purdue

Rankings

Players drafted into the NFL

References