Steele Impressed by Defense's Leadership Qualities This Season

Defensive Coordinator Kevin Steele (Photo: Auburn Athletics)

The last game day of the season at Jordan-Hare Stadium is scheduled for Saturday at 6:30 P.M. against Alabama A&M. To preview the game, defensive coordinator Kevin Steele spoke with the media on Wednesday night. In his opening, Steele praised the leadership that his defense showed last Saturday in Auburn’s loss to Georgia. He liked the way that the defense was focused, and showed their physicality, and said that they just came up short. Moving onto this week, Steele says that the first two days of practice have gone well. He says that the energy and leadership that his unit showed in Athens last Saturday has carried over to the practice field this week. “That’s the thing that is evident on the field now. Josh Holsey, Tray Matthews, Tre Williams, Deshaun Davis, Carl Lawson, Montravius Adams, those guys are going out there and leading these guys (the defense).” Steele is not taking Alabama A&M lightly. He challenges the team to get better every week, and feels that this week will give Auburn the opportunity to play their best game of the season to this point. On the injury front, Steele’s defense is not quite as banged up as the offensive side of the ball. However, it was announced today that defensive lineman Byron Cowart is out for the remainder of the year following an appendectomy. Derrick Brown could see more playing time this week because of that, but Steele says that some younger guys may play on the line, including Cameron Toney. Steele says that he has a pecking order and a backup plan for Saturday. Linebacker Deshaun Davis and Safety Tray Matthews have shown signs of being banged up over the last few weeks as well. Steele says that fans have nothing to worry about when it comes to these solid players, as they showed no signs of wear during Wednesday’s practice. Auburn’s final home game of the season comes Saturday, with a 6:30 kickoff against Alabama A&M.