Story by
Auburn Reveals Team Captains as Tigers Prepare to Face Ole Miss
- Story by
- Auburn Reveals Team Captains as Tigers Prepare to Face Ole Miss
(USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
The Auburn Tigers have announced their five captains for Saturday's matchup against Ole Miss in Oxford.
Quarterback Byrum Brown, punter Hudson Kaak, offensive lineman Kenneth McManus IV, linebacker Elijah Melendez, and defensive back Cody Sigler have been selected as Auburn's captains for the eighth game of the season.
Advertisement
Alex Golesh's team is looking to bounce back from a disappointing 38-17 loss to LSU, and the Tigers will need their leaders to step up against another talented SEC opponent.
Auburn has already shown it can pull off a major upset with its victory over Georgia, but Saturday presents another difficult challenge.
Byrum Brown and Kenneth McManus lead Auburn's offensive captains.
Brown has obviously been one of Auburn's most important players throughout Golesh's first season.
However, the quarterback struggled against LSU, throwing for just 160 yards while the Tigers allowed seven sacks.
Advertisement
Brown will need a better performance against an Ole Miss defense that has struggled to stop the run.
Joining Brown as an offensive captain is McManus, who will have an important responsibility along Auburn's offensive line and has slowly earned a bigger role over the past few weeks.
The Tigers allowed seven sacks and 12 tackles for loss against LSU, making it difficult to establish any offensive rhythm.
Golesh has repeatedly emphasized the importance of improving Auburn's offensive line, and Saturday provides another opportunity for that group to respond.
Elijah Melendez and Cody Sigler represent Auburn's defense.
Melendez has emerged as one of Auburn's young defensive leaders this season.
Advertisement
The sophomore linebacker was also selected as a captain for Auburn's season opener against Baylor, earning praise from Golesh for the respect he has gained from his teammates.
Sigler joins Melendez as Auburn's other defensive captain against Ole Miss.
The Tigers are coming off a difficult defensive performance against LSU, allowing 552 total yards and three touchdown passes from quarterback Sam Leavitt.
Now Auburn faces another dangerous quarterback in Trinidad Chambliss.
Hudson Kaak represents Auburn's special teams.
Kaak rounds out Auburn's five captains as the Tigers' punter.
His role could be particularly important against Ole Miss, especially if Auburn's offense continues to struggle with consistency. Kaak did have his best game of the season last week against LSU. He punted 7 times, which you hope not to do, but he capitalized on the opportunity with a career-high 69-yard punt.
Advertisement
The Tigers punted seven times against LSU, and field position could play a major role in Saturday's matchup.
Auburn needs its leaders to respond.
The Tigers enter Saturday's matchup looking for their fifth victory of the season.
Auburn cannot afford another slow start after falling behind LSU 31-10 at halftime.
With Brown, Kaak, McManus, Melendez, and Sigler serving as captains, Auburn will look to put together a much better performance and give itself an opportunity to pull off another upset.
