Auburn's Groves turns in stellar effort

TUSCALOOSA | While a lot of the attention centered on “Fear the Thumb,” Auburn defensive end Quentin Groves had his eyes focused on fingers instead.

During film study of the Alabama offensive line, Groves spotted a tendency in right offensive tackle Chris Capps and used the knowledge to overwhelm his opponent in the second quarter.

“He was kind of slow out of his stance,” Groves said. “Anytime the quarterback was under center, he was kind of slow out of his stance, and I noticed that on film. I knew he would give [the play] away if he was light or heavy [in his stance]. That’s the thing I keyed on. Being a pass rusher you take anything you can get a little jump on.

“His hands were barely in the dirt. Once a tackle’s hands are barely in the dirt and it’s second-and-8 you’re not going to run the ball. I saw that with Capps. I did a great job of jumping the snap count. I came out and did what I was taught to do.”

Behind two second-quarter sacks by Groves that resulted in turnovers, the 15th-ranked Auburn Tigers defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide 22-15 on Saturday afternoon at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

On the third play of the second quarter, Groves zipped past Capps and knocked the ball loose from Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson. Linebacker Kevin Sears recovered the fumble for the Tigers at the Crimson Tide 27-yard line.

Brad Lester ran three times for 15 yards, before scoring on a 12-yard run to give the Tigers a 7-3 lead following the turnover.

“I love my offense to death, but we don’t have a big juggernaut offense if you know what I mean,” Groves said. “We have to shorten the field as a defense for them with a sack or turnover. It’s easier to drive 15 yards rather than drive 85 yards.

“I tested [Capps] one time in the first quarter when he was light and I could see I could get past him. So in the second quarter the next time he was light, I just speed rushed him. And that’s what I do best.”

Capps continued to give away signals on Alabama’s next possession, and on second-and-16 Groves hit Wilson again and jarred the ball free. This time Auburn defensive tackle Sen’Derrick Marks picked up the fumble at the Crimson Tide 8-yard line.

It took running back Kenny Irons just one play to score on an 8-yard run as the Tigers had seized a 14-3 lead and silenced the Alabama fans.

“The first sack I beat him off the end so fast I didn’t I even know I came that free,” Groves said. “The second one I knew I just could continue to beat him. I play mind games. Once you get in the offensive tackle’s head, it’s pretty much over from there.

“When his hands are barely in the dirt, it’s either a pass or a draw and either way if I beat him off the snap I win. I either make the tackle in the backfield or I get the sack. He was light pretty much all day. He was giving away his pass reads.”

Reach Michael Southern at michael.southern@tuscaloosanews.com.