Auburn's Gus Malzahn named a finalist for the Broyles Award

Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn has been named one of five finalists for the 2010 Broyles Award, the Broyles Award selection committee announced Monday. The Broyles Award is presented annually to the nation's top assistant coach. Joining Malzahn as finalists for the award are defensive coordinator Dick Bumpas of TCU and offensive coordinators Paul Chryst of Wisconsin, Dana Holgorsen of Oklahoma State and Greg Roman of Stanford. Malzahn has instructed Auburn's explosive offense that ranks second nationally in passing efficiency (183.98), sixth in rushing offense (291.3), seventh in scoring offense (41.6) and eighth in total offense (490.1). The Tigers lead the SEC in all of those categories, as well as first downs (24.0) and third-down conversion percentage (51.1). The Tigers have already set school records for points scored (499) and total offense (5,881 yards) this season, and are on pace to break the school single-season records for points per game (38.5 - 1995) and total offense per game (485.0 - 1970). Auburn is ranked second in the nation in average yards per pass attempt (10.28) and third nationally in average yards per rush attempt (6.24). The rushing average would rank as the second-best average in a season in SEC history.