Auburn’s special teams were a mixed bag against New Mexico.
There was a 66-yard kick return by Jeremiah Cobb, but also a muffed punt by Keionte Scott that set New Mexico up deep in Auburn territory.
Scott has already shown this season how dangerous he can be on punt returns, scoring a touchdown against Alabama A&M that was called back due to a penalty. However, Scott’s ball security has been shaky. His muff against New Mexico was already his second in three games.
“The most important thing after a dadgum special teams play is that we have the ball,” head coach Hugh Freeze said during his Monday press conference.
In that same breath, Freeze said he wanted to get freshman wide receiver Malcolm Simmons more touches with punt returner being an option to do that.
“None of the moments seem too big for him, because he’s grown up just playing ball in the yard,” Freeze said. “That’s the kind of way he approaches practice every day, and the games.”
As a former two-sport star in football and track and field, Simmons is arguably the most explosive player Auburn has. He’s shown flashes during sporadic playing time at receiver, but the only punt he has technically fielded this season was a blocked punt he recovered in the endzone against Alabama A&M.
Before the season, Freeze said that after Scott, receivers KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Bryce Cain and Simmons were all in the mix behind him at punt returner. At the time, Freeze said that Lambert-Smith was the next in line after Scott.
He also mentioned redshirt freshman receiver Will Upton could be a factor.
“If we ever get into a situation where I just definitely must have possession of the football and it must be caught, I have great confidence in Will Upton also,” Freeze said Aug. 26.
With an extra emphasis now being put on securing the punt, it wouldn’t be a shock to see Upton get more opportunities at some point during this season. He has fielded one punt this season, a fair catch against Alabama A&M.
Peter Rauterkus covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @peter_rauterkus or email him at [email protected]m
