HOOVER, Ala. – Someone was missing from the opening session of 2014 Southeastern Conference Media Days on Monday.
Auburn senior quarterback Nick Marshall was slated as one of three players to represent the school at the four-day event, but he did not make the trip to Hoover, Ala., after receiving a marijuana possession citation on Friday.
“It is a privilege and reward to represent Auburn at the SEC Media Day,” said Auburn coach Gus Malzahn. “Last Friday, Nick lost that privilege…Nick made a mistake, and he’ll have to deal with those consequences.”
Malzahn did not specify what Marshall’s repercussions would be, but the Tigers will probably suffer if their quarterback faces a suspension. Marshall engineered Auburn’s spread-option attack that ranked first nationally in rushing yards last year.
If the senior is held out of Auburn’s season-opener against Arkansas, the Tigers’ quest to become the first back-to-back SEC champions in 15 years will be even tougher. With trips to Georgia and Alabama looming late in the season, Malzahn didn’t need to be reminded about the challenges his team will face.
“We do understand how hard [repeating as champions] will be,” Malzahn said. “Last year when we did win the SEC, I believe there were six games decided by less than a touchdown. There were numerous games that went down to the last play that we were successful with.”
The Tigers reached the SEC championship game after two miraculous comeback wins against Georgia and Alabama, but there was one close game they could not secure.
Auburn nearly claimed the national championship, but fell to Florida State 34-31 in the title game on Jan. 6 on a last-second touchdown pass from Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston. Malzahn and the players present at Media Days claimed that coming up short has been a source of motivation.
Though Marshall is returning to Auburn, several key players departed from last year’s national runner-up team. Left tackle Greg Robinson and running back Tre Mason, who rushed for 1,816 yards last year, both entered the NFL Draft as juniors.
Sophomore defensive end Carl Lawson was likely to replace First Team All-SEC performer Dee Ford, but he underwent surgery in May to repair a torn ACL he suffered during spring practice. Malzahn said Lawson is working to return to the team late in the season.
“We lost a few key players, but we have some guys who are ready to step up and fill those roles,” said senior tight end C.J. Uzomah. “We also have a lot of talent, and I cannot wait to see what it is like when we put the pads on.”

Malzahn noted that last year’s breakout season made Auburn the new team to beat in the SEC, and his players are embracing that challenge.
“It’s a new year, and we are in a tough league,” said senior center Reese Dismukes. “We will have to be as good, if not better than last year to even have a chance to make a run again.”