Hugh Freeze and Auburn Tigers officially released their not so secret offensive weapon in massive victory over Ball State
Auburn RB Jeremiah Cobb blew by the defense with his speed and he’ll do it again
The Auburn Tigers always seem to have a good running back. Last season, it was Jarquez Hunter. Before that, Tank Bigsby. After Saturday’s massive 42-3 blowout victory over Ball State, it looks like the Jeremiah Cobb era has begun at Auburn. He is its not-so-secret offensive weapon that will keep this offense on track.
He recorded 11 carries, 121 yards, and two rushing touchdowns. With fellow running back Damari Alston out with a shoulder injury, Cobb stepped up and should be allowed to be the team’s featured running back moving forward.
Jeremiah Cobb proving he’s a worthy featured running back for Auburn after huge game against Ball State
Cobb has now impressed two weeks in a row for Auburn. He tallied 75 yards from scrimmage in Week 1 against Baylor, then exploded with two long runs of 45 and 46 yards that helped easily push the Tigers over the top against Ball State on Saturday.
Cobb is now averaging more than seven yards per carry and nearly 100 rushing yards per game through two weeks. He was always good in spurts last year as a backup for Hunter, but apparently this breakout season was inevitable, according to Hugh Freeze’s comments following the game:
“I’ve said several times this summer that I really thought [Jeremiah Cobb] would be one who had a breakout year,” Freeze said. “I still believe that. And tonight he took a step toward that. I think he’s a very talented running back. Pass pro, he’s working and getting better at it–depends on who he’s matched up with. Wish he were a little heavier for some of the pass pro [matchups] in this league. But the few times he did tonight, he did really well. We could have probably given him five, six more carries, and he would have had a huge night.”
Sure, there are things to improve when it comes to the little things like pass protection, but Cobb succeeded even there on Saturday. Of course, his dominance on the ground is what helped Auburn pull away from Ball State early. His track speed was just unstoppable once he got into open space.
Given Freeze’s comments on Cobb’s size, there may be some apprehension toward making him a true bell-cow, featured running back. And yes, Alston — when healthy — is also a talented rusher. However, Cobb played like a much bigger back, breaking tackles when necessary and, of course, forcing them in space (he forced four missed tackles in the game).
His second long run was even more impressive than the first (as you can see below), and it was the nail in the coffin for Ball State. He found open field quickly, forced a defender to miss, maintained his balance after slight contact, and then his speed once again finished for the score.
Cobb averaged nearly seven yards after contact on Saturday. He tallied six first downs on just 11 carries. His phenomenal production may have come against a weaker opponent in Ball State, but this performance and last week’s against Baylor certainly hint at some wild potential from Cobb.
As Jackson Arnold continues to improve, gelling with Auburn’s wide receivers, Freeze should rest easy knowing he can lean into a talented running back like Cobb. He’ll face much greater tests here soon, with Auburn set to face Oklahoma, Texas A&M, and Georgia, but Cobb looks ready.
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Hugh Freeze and Auburn Tigers unlocked the best in Jackson Arnold as he dismantled Ball State in easy Week 2 victory
The Auburn Tigers needed to find a way to help Jackson Arnold settle in and find some momentum as a passer in Week 2 and that’s exactly what they did. Hugh Freeze schemed up some easy plays early, got his quarterback’s confidence rolling, and the rest was history as Auburn rolled over Ball State in […]
