Auburn's production on first downs lower than 2013

• Pass efficiency on first downs is down from 29th to 89th
• All three of Nick Marshall%27s interceptions this season have come on first down
• Injuries to offensive line partially to blame for execution problems
• Auburn ran more than any team on first downs in 2013%2C has most carries among teams with 6 games

AUBURN – At times this season, Gus Malzahn's Hurry-Up, No-Huddle offense has looked like a high-end sports car spinning its tires.

The speed and power are there, but the movement is not, particularly on first downs.

A bad outcome on first down can derail a drive, putting a team in difficult second downs and potentially highly unlikely to convert third-and-longs.

Auburn's production on first downs, both rushing and passing, is down significantly from last season, which Malzahn attributes to "execution" of plays.

"Some of it could be strategy, some of it could be scheme, but that is a big factor for the difference between this year and last year," Malzahn said. "It really comes down to execution part. We were very efficient, especially in the second half of the year last year, and we're hoping that the same thing will happen this year."

Auburn averaged 6.66 yards per rush on first downs last season, third nationally and best in the SEC, and 8.51 yards per pass attempt with a 157.26 pass efficiency (29th nationally and seventh in the SEC) on first downs.

All those numbers are down this season, as Auburn is averaging 5.49 yards per carry (34th nationally and sixth in the SEC) and 8.37 yards per pass attempt with a 128.05 pass efficiency (89th nationally and 11th in the SEC).

Malzahn said "a lot" of the execution issues are due to injuries suffered on the offensive line, which lost Alex Kozan before the season, flipped Chad Slade to left guard and put Avery Young at right guard, then flipped them back, and lost Patrick Miller to a left foot injury early against Louisiana Tech.

"We really haven't got our guys in the same spot over and over again so you can really get clicking," Malzahn said. "We're hoping that the same thing that happened last year happens this year as far as the second half being more consistent with our execution, especially in the run game."

Young said the offensive line has been working on being more consistent.

"We really just want to capitalize on every down and not just really focus on third or fourth down runs," Young said. "Really just do what we've got to do on every chance we get."

Hanging all the blame on the offensive line isn't a fair assessment of the problem, according to Malzahn.

"No, it all works together. When something bad happens, it's never just one thing," he said. "If we can get our linemen in the same spot and stay healthy for the second half and really start working together and get some cohesion, there's no doubt in my mind that we'll be more effective and more efficient in the running game."

Cameron Artis-Payne is averaging 5.19 yards on first down, lower than Tre Mason's 5.95 last year.

NickMarshall's rushing average on first downs (6.0 yards) is also down from 2013 (6.55).

"When you go through this league for the second year … people are going to have a year to prepare for you now," Lashlee said. "We've got to execute better on first down to get more yards rushing. It's not rocket science. People are doing some good things scheme-wise, we've countered it, and we've got to be able to handle it, and execute it at a better level than they do. At times we have, at times we haven't, and that's why our numbers are down."

Marshall is least efficient (110.98) on first downs, due in large part to all three of his interceptions coming on series-opening plays, and does not rank in the top 100 nationally in pass efficiency on first down.

But the key to solving Auburn's problems is clearly in the running game.

Roc Thomas showed a burst and explosiveness on his six carries for 42 yards against Mississippi State that was lacking during the first six games and is expected to play more in the second half.

"We felt good about Cameron Artis-Payne, with the way he ran," Malzahn said. "But we do have a strategic plan for the second half, and Roc will have a bigger role in the second half."

Auburn favors the run by a wide margin on first downs, leading the nation with 383 carries on first downs last season and has 157 this season, most among teams to play just six games thus far. By contrast, the Tigers attempted just 91 passes on first down last season, 117th nationally, and have 49 attempts this season, 119th nationally.

"I wouldn't say we are always going to be run-first. We're going to be balanced," Auburn offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee said. "Being balanced is all about taking what they give you. If they're going to load up to stop something, you have to be able to answer, and you are going to have to be able to execute on things.

"At times this year, we have, and we've been explosive. But at times, we haven't, and we've not. That's the inconsistency we've got to get rid of."