What Alex Golesh said before Auburn's SEC opener vs Florida

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Alex Golesh crossed off another milestone last week when Auburn defeated Southern Miss, 43-8, for the first home win of his tenure. This week, he could reach another when the Tigers host Florida for the Tigers' first SEC game of his era.

Golesh stood at the podium Monday to preview the matchup with the Gators and to close the book on Auburn's Week 2 win. One topic Golesh discussed Monday was his relationship with Florida head coach Jon Sumrall. Like Golesh, Sumrall took the leap to the SEC from the American Athletic Conference after leading Tulane to an AAC championship and the College Football Playoff.

The pair have a lot in common and have bonded over their time as coaches. However, Golesh says that his friendship with Sumrall is taking a brief pause this week.

"He said we were friends? Not this week, we're not," Golesh said Monday (via ABC 33/40). "I got a ton of respect for Jon (Sumrall). We were both assistants in this league at the same time, and he did a great job at Troy, a high-end job at Troy. Did a high-end job at Tulane. I got a ton of respect for how he works; I got a ton of respect for who he is. I think he does it the right way. He competes like crazy. I got a lot of respect for him. This week? Don't care."

What else did Golesh say ahead of Auburn's SEC opener against Florida? Here are five key quotes from Golesh's Monday press conference.

Golesh was pleased with Saturday's environment

"One, awesome, awesome environment, incredible crowd, surreal running out there for the first time. Really, really special. Our kids handled the delay incredibly well for a first time. I thought poise, energy, stayed focused in the locker room, didn’t flinch. Really, really cool, then came out with a crazy amount of energy and focus. I thought the crowd affected Southern Miss’ offense early. There was some sputtering of penalties for them, and I thought that was absolutely huge. Really, really big."

Saturday's penalties made Golesh feel uneasy

“Offensively, the penalties – sometimes you go back and it’s not as bad as it seemed, sometimes it’s worse than it seemed. The penalties were frustrating. One of them killed a drive, the other six didn’t kill a drive but you’re in third-and-crazy forever, and some plays, some scrambling around kind of covers up for the mishaps. The point there is you get into playing in this league, and that will kill you, being in third-and-long, especially on clock stoppage, will absolutely destroy you."

His assessement of the offensive line on Saturday

“A lot was cleaned up. Obviously a little bit different up front and a unique challenge of preparing for that game like I mentioned earlier in the week, because you really didn't know totally what you were going to get. They did a good job adjusting, being able to get Wilson (Zierer) inside was our attempt to see how that would work. And he's repped it. For a young guy that's repped inside and outside, a lot of credit to him. He did a solid job. We were really physical up front.  We played well at tackle. Inside, Cole Best answered the bell. Cole Skinner answered the bell. Jacob (Strand) played better. We got Wilson in there, got Jack Leyrer in there, rotated some guys and rotated in and out. Those guys played hard, they were physical. There's still some stuff to clean up as there always will be in the protection world. You saw that we had the hold on Jo (Simmons), we had the hold on Cole. Those are technique and fundamental things that I was frustrated with. There were a handful of those, there were a handful on the perimeter, but that to me is when you get out of position, your feet aren't right and then you feel like you have to lean, hold and grab. That's what I was frustrated about. But I thought for the first time going in there, Wilson did a solid job.”

How to stop Florida on defense

"It has to start with stopping the run. It's got to be where the whole thing starts, and that's in all three levels. That's certainly the D-line being where they’re supposed to be and creating knockback, and it’s linebackers filling in and playing off of each other. It’s safeties filling when they have to, and it’s corners. You've seen things get out of the perimeter and corners making plays. Obviously, a huge point of emphasis. It's going to be as big of one going into this one as anything. These guys create unique advantages for themselves, formationally, and motioning and shifting, so your eyes have got to be right." 

Golesh's thoughts on Florida running back Jaden Baugh

"You got a guy in 13 that's powerful, has speed, plays behind his pads, and has the ability to make you miss in space. It is as complete of a back that you're going to get. The missed tackles we talked about earlier, that's got to clean up. Continuing to run to the football and gang tackling has got to continue, but a huge point of emphasis.”

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This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: What Alex Golesh said before Auburn's SEC opener vs Florida

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