[College Sports News]

Sept. 14, 2009

AUBURN, Ala. - Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn has been named the National Coordinator of the Week by Rivals.com following Auburn's 49-24 victory over Mississippi State.

Malzahn's offense rolled up 589 total yards during Auburn's victory, including 390 on the ground. The 589 yards was the most ever by an Auburn team in an SEC opener and tied for 11th most in any game in school history.

The Tigers also had two 100-yard rushers and a 100-yard receiver in one game for the first time in school history, as Ben Tate and Onterio McCalebb rushed for 157 and 114 yards, respectively, and Darvin Adams had 116 yards receiving. Tate and McCalebb both rushed for more than 100 yards for the second straight game, marking the first time in Auburn history that the Tigers had two 100-yard rushers in back-to-back games.

The Tigers went over 500 yards of total offense and 300 yards rushing for the second straight game, marking Auburn's first back-to-back 500-yard games since 1970 and the first back-to-back 300-yard rushing games since 1985.

Auburn currently ranks fourth in the nation in total offense (572.5 yards) and second in rushing offense (345.5). The Tigers are the only team in the nation to have two running backs averaging more than 100 yards rushing as Tate ranks seventh nationally (137.0) and McCalebb ranks ninth (131.0).

Auburn also ranks eighth nationally in first downs (28.0) and is tied for the national lead with 162 plays from scrimmage. The Tigers are also one of just seven teams nationally that have played two games and not allowed a sack this season.


Gus Malzahn Named National Coordinator Of The Week By Rivals.com