The Jungle Cat

Running Diary: Auburn Spring Game

2010-04-19T08:45:00.000-07:00

I’ve only ever been to one Auburn spring game and that was in 2001. Since then, I’ve been forced to rely on internet reporting on what went down, who looked good, and who performed beyond their ability. This year, the game was aired on ESPNU. I wasn’t able to catch it live, but thanks to my DVR, I was able to live out the experience last night.

Here’s a retro running diary of the first half (the Blue vs. White portion):

Pre-Game: We’re live (retroactively) from Jordan-Hare Stadium on ESPNU! Did you know that ESPNU wasn’t in HD? That’s good news in case the camera pans on Dakota Mosely this afternoon. We’re joined in the booth by Beth “I Should Be Paid More than Erin Andrews” Mowins, recruiting expert Tom Luginbill, and disgraced former Athletic Director and Head Coach of the University of Oregon Mike Bellotti. The latter is the newsmaker today since this is his debut telecast for the Worldwide Leader.

Luginbill (whose hair is perfect) lets us know that Auburn only had 62 scholarship athletes (85 is the max/norm) on the team last year and still won eight games. He also suggests that Auburn turned the ball over a lot. I mean, Mario Fannin is on the roster, so turnovers are a given, right?

One other interesting factoid: the Auburn coaching staff is the only staff in the SEC that stayed together from last year to this year.

Here are the rules for today’s game:

**12-minute quarters (running clock in second half)
**No contact on kickoffs and punt returns; QB wears orange jersey (no contact)
**First half: squads split into blue and white teams
**Second half: offense is blue and defense is white

Confused? Yeah, it’s a little convoluted. Basically, the score doesn’t matter and no one seems to care. Gene Chizik is roaming the field looking like he’s ready to clear out a bar room brawl. I’ll admit, he’s made a huge fan out of me.

First quarter, 12:00: Wes Byrum kicks off to Demond Washington and we’re underway. Neil Caudle will be the first quarterback to try his hand at earning the starting gunslinger spot. He gets in a quick completion to Jay Wisner on the first snap.

First quarter, 10:39: Jessel Curry breaks up a pass play by clocking Wisner. Curry is one of two true freshmen participating in spring practice.

First quarter, 9:23: Wisner drops a beauty from Caudle to end the drive. Caudle relied very heavily on the slot, which might be a mask by Offensive Coordinator Gus Malzahn. Regardless, Caudle looked unimpressive on the first drive. Ryan Shoemaker punts the ball away.

First quarter, 9:13: Cameron Newton takes the field. Big applause from the 60,000+ in attendance. Newton once backed up Tim Tebow at the University of Florida. Now, Newton is an Auburn quarterback. Related note: Tebow wears Cameron Newton pajamas. Another related noted: I hate Tebow.

First quarter, 8:25: Fannin makes an early case to be the featured tailback, darting to an 11-yard gain. Beth Mowins lets us know that he averaged over eight yards per carry last season. She neglected to mention that he fumbled 137 times.

First quarter, 7:23: Newton completes his first pass over the middle to Darvin Adams.

First quarter, 6:19: Shoemaker punts it away.

First quarter, 6:03: Barrett Trotter now in at quarterback. He starts off with a quick scamper. Now is also as good of a time as any to mention that Mike Bellotti has added virtually nothing to this telecast. Glad he’s here.

First quarter, 4:28: Trotter completes a 50-yard bomb to walk-on receiver Nathan Taylor. Coach Chizik gives Trotter a one-arm shoulder hug as a celebration. Chandler Brooks makes the extra point.

First quarter, 4:22: Apparently the score is 7-0, White Team. Whatever.

First quarter, 4:22: Kickoff fielded by Fannin. He doesn’t drop it (and I hate that I have to mention that). Caudle back in at quarterback even though he played for the opposing team earlier in the quarter.

First quarter, 3:59: Bellotti starting to spring to life. He mentions that at Oregon, they’d probably have 10 or 15 thousand for a spring game. Welcome to the SEC, Mikey.

First quarter, 3:53: Antoine Carter commits a facemask penalty. I’m getting flashbacks to that New Year’s Day fiasco of a bowl game. Not good. I’m really hoping we get stupid penalties out of our system now.

First quarter, 1:25: Caudle has hit up Onterio McCalebb and Darvin Adams for completions. Also, Mowins has let us know that Luginbill has left the booth to go and bring us some “field access,” otherwise known as “Luginbill spotted a hottie in Section 112.”

Second quarter, 11:56: Fannin busts into the end zone for a touchdown. Wes Byrum scores the extra point. I’m told the game is tied. Meanwhile, Luginbill has interviewed both Chizik and Malzahn. Both coaches offer generic, non-telling comments.

Second quarter, 11:48: Washington takes the kickoff. Newton back under center.

Second quarter, 11:40: Dontae Aycock takes a handoff and goes nowhere. He’s had a very silent spring practice. Unfortunately, that won’t bode well for him in terms of playing time.

Second quarter, 11:03: Quindarius Carr hauls in a 62-yard cannon shot from Newton. Mowins compares Newton to current Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor – an overhyped underachiever – which prompts me to vomit in my mouth a little. No Pryor here, boys and girls.

Second quarter, 10:14: Chandler Brooks misses a 22-yard field goal attempt. Thank God for Cool Wes.

Second quarter, 10:00: Twitter’s favorite Tiger, Terrell Zachery, turns in a fine run on a reverse play. Shades of last year and a possible preview of this fall when soon-to-be freshman Trovon Reed joins the fray.

Second quarter, 9:15: Fannin produces another good run, this time off of a pass from Trotter.

Second quarter, 8:49: Terrell Zachery makes a great catch, breaks tackles, and dives into the end zone. Trotter the thrower. Good news for the offense, bad news for the defense.

Second quarter, 8:44: Ralph Spry takes the kickoff. Mowins and Bellotti talk Auburn D, highlighting the fact that two savvy safeties (Mike McNeil and Aairon Savage) will return in the fall after missing all of 2009. The broadcast crew has also repeatedly mentioned that the Auburn coaching staff speaks reverently of the Auburn offensive line, calling them “The strength of the offense.” I’m sorry, but when Lee Ziemba is on the roster, the O-line isn’t a strength. Why do I continue to take pot shots at Ziemba? Because he’s so oblivious to what’s going on around him that, according to a recent interview, he’s actually surprised when people interrupt him on dates/night out to ask about his bizarre penalties.

Second quarter, 8:44: Caudle tosses a screen pass to Carr who takes it 70 yards for the touchdown. I’m now starting to become horrified about the existing Auburn defense. When do freshmen report?

Second quarter, 8:37: McCalebb takes the kickoff. The score is currently 14-14. The winners here? The offense. The loser? Defensive Coordinator Ted Roof. Newton in at QB.

Second quarter, 7:19: Newton’s pass incomplete to Emory Blake. Shoemaker punts. Newton still looks like he’s feeling out the playbook and, more importantly, his teammates. He’ll need to work on timing with his wide-outs this summer.

Second quarter, 7:01: Davis Hooper carries over right tackle. He’s a walk-on. And no, I doubt we’ll hear from him again after today.

Second quarter, 4:17: A drive led by Trotter didn’t go anywhere, forcing Shoemaker to boot it to Carr. Caudle back in at quarterback.

Second quarter, 2:30: The defense is starting to catch fire, led by “Hot Boy” Antoine Carter. Besides the penalty, Carter has been electric today from the defensive end position. Caudle’s drive ends, setting up a new drive for Newton.

Second quarter, 1:15: An acrobatic catch by Wisner moves the ball for Newton and Co. Mowins harps for the second time that this coaching staff all got raises after last year. Thanks, Beth. Those below the poverty line now hate Auburn.

Halftime: Auburn runs down the clock on a fiery first half (for the offense at least).

I’ll have a Spring Practice Sum-Up next week, featuring top performers and (hopefully) a post-spring depth chart.

Until next time, War Eagle!

Interested in Auburn football, NASCAR racing, or anything else David's weird world encompasses? Follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/davidsmith28

TJC's Top 10 Spring Practice Storylines

2010-03-23T16:48:00.000-07:00

I was waiting for ESPN.com to run the Auburn spring practice story as a build-up to the Worldwide Leader’s coverage of A-Day on April 17. On Sunday, ESPN’s Ivan Maisel wrote about the Florida Gators. On Monday, Maisel, again, wrote about the Florida Gators. Today, I penned TJC’s Top 10 Spring Practice Storylines.

10. Big Lutz Stands Alone

If last year’s starting tight end, Tommy Trott, left the field like a broke poker player in a televised tournament, no one would have applauded his announced exit. Trott sucked. But now, a new hope at a pivotal position in the Gus Malzahn offense emerges: Philip Lutzenkirchen. The now-sophomore tight end caught his first touchdown pass in last year’s second game (vs. Mississippi State) and has since been every armchair AU QB’s favorite big target ever since. Well, Big Lutz might just have the tight end position to himself. The only other semblance of a returning tight end – Bailey Woods – recently announced his intention to transfer to Georgia State after moonlighting as an offensive lineman/long snapper. JUCO transfer Brandon Mosley, who signed with Auburn in December as a tight end, has bulked up to 295 pounds and will likely be moved to the offensive line.

9. Stand Out to Sit Down

2009 starters Darvin Adams and Terrell Zachery are back at the wide receiver position. That’s the good news. The better news is there’s about to be a four-month brawl to determine who will see the field after Darvin and T-Zach pad their stat sheet. While the likes of hyped freshmen Trovon Reed, Antonio Goodwin, and Shaun Kitchens don’t arrive on campus until the fall, the battle for second string rights (and an inflated rating in the NCAA 11 video game) starts now. Auburn returns a talented but underachieving trio in junior Quindarius Carr and sophomores DeAngelo Benton and Emory Blake, who will attempt to utilize a national television audience on April 17 to prove whether or not they belong in the receiving rotation. Also included in the battle: Wildcat QB/seldom receiver Kodi Burns, senior Jay Wisner, and sophomore Philip Pierre-Louis. Unfortunately for Auburn and wideout ringmaster Trooper Taylor, Travante Stallworth, a receiver who showed promise in his freshman outing in 2009, is likely to miss all of spring practice while recovering from knee surgery.

8. Senioritis on the Offensive Line

Four seniors will make up the 2010 offensive line (unfortunately the oft penalized Lee Ziemba is one of them), which, in theory, should be a crucial aide to a young backfield. Ziemba will return to his position at left tackle/flag attractor with Mike Berry (left guard), Ryan Pugh (center), and Byron “Lee” Isom (right guard) joining him on the upperclassmen-laden line. Auburn loses the graduating Andrew McCain at the right tackle position, but might actually upgrade with the addition of JUCO transfer Roszell Gayden. Sophomore John Sullen returns after establishing himself as a quality substitute in 2009.

7. The Others

Spring practice in Auburn always gives a chance for seldom noticed players to receive some attention. The 2001 A-Day Game (I was there!) served as the coming out party for redshirt freshman running back Ronnie Brown and sophomore linebacker Karlos Dansby. Thanks to an appalling lack of depth in 2009, our return teams featured a host of non-scholarship players and feisty walk-ons (nicknamed “The Others”). Now is the chance for these walk-ons to earn playing time, and potentially a scholarship. Which “Other” has the best chance of making a name for himself? Keep an eye out for defensive back Rodney Cofield. The Atlanta native, a standout running back at Booker T. Washington High School, was deemed Auburn’s hardest hitter by wide receiver/lead team Twitterer Terrell Zachery during an informal Q&A on the social media site.

6. Dontae Aycock

When Auburn closed its 2009 recruiting class, running back Dontae Aycock was the final nugget of goodness on an admirable first class by Gene Chizik and company. Fast forward to two days before National Signing Day 2010 and Aycock was all but forgotten, having redshirted in 2009; however, when stud high school running back Marcus Lattimore committed to South Carolina and dashed hopes of a dynamic duo (along with Auburn signee Michael Dyer) coming to the Plains, focus shifted back on Aycock, formerly a four-star prospect in his own right. Dyer won’t be on campus until the fall, but Aycock is here and it’s his opportunity to shine. Flanked by a crop of niche backs such as Onterio McCalebb, Eric Smith, and Mario Fannin, Aycock is Auburn’s best chance at having a traditional-style back (until Dyer arrives). If Aycock wants playing time in the fall, or really ever, he has 15 days to show what he can do.

5. Replacing A.C.

Every few years it’s somebody. How will we replace Stanley McClover? Quentin Groves happened. How will we replace Quentin Groves? Antonio Coleman happened. How will we now replace Antonio Coleman? Not sure just yet, but know this: the defensive line Gods love Auburn. D-line coach Tracy Rocker will make sure (starting this week) that the new-look defensive line will learn the eccentricities of “kill mode.” Seniors Michael Goggans, Antoine Carter, and Mike Blanc return along with Nick Fairley, Dee Ford, and Zach Clayton. Redshirt freshman Nosa Eguae and incoming true freshman Craig Sanders will also participate in spring practice, giving the Tigers eight possible rotation guys to mold over the next month. Signing Day prizes Corey Lemonier and Joel Bonomolo will join the Tigers in the fall. Out of that crop lies the cornerstone defensive lineman we’re seeking.

4. Throwback Defensive Backs

How do we replace future NFL cornerback Walt McFadden? Simple: with guys that have been on the team since 2002 (an exaggeration, but still). Aairon Savage – recently granted a second senior season – and Mike McNeil return to the team after missing the 2009 season due to injuries. Joining them in the battling for starting spots in Auburn's back four will be senior Demond Washington, juniors Neiko Thorpe, Mike Slade, D’Antoine Hood, and sophomore T’Sharvan Bell. Coming into spring practice, only Thorpe appears to be a guaranteed starter. Despite the quarterback job being the most talked-about position battle, this is by far the stiffest position battle.

3. Daren Bates

For a player who made his first year on the Plains a very loud one, Daren Bates's big off-season has been kept pretty quiet. The wear and tear from the sheer ferociousness of his hits has prompted him to get shoulder surgery, meaning he might just miss all of spring practice. And the fact that he’s been moved to linebacker has been rarely discussed in a public forum by any of the staff or major Auburn websites. But it’s true: “The Headhunter” is a linebacker now, joining returning starters Craig Stevens, Josh Bynes, and Eltoro Freeman. In Bates’s absence, expect young linebackers Jonathan Evans and Wade Christopher to receive some run, along with sprightly freshman Jessel Curry. Harris Gaston – impressive in a limited role last year – will definitely sit out spring practice while recovering from a broken wrist. If the linebacker corps looks weak right now, don’t fret: it will double in the fall thanks to a host of signees.

2. Cameron Newton

When former offensive coordinator Tony Franklin hyped up quarterback Chris Todd in 2008 by saying he could “throw a football through a carwash and it wouldn’t get wet,” we all got a little too giddy (the more appropriate metaphor would have been “throw a hot dog down a hall way”). Todd graduated last year, Kodi Burns was moved to wide receiver, and all of a sudden, Auburn has a quarterback with the actual ability to become the mythical gunslinger that’s eluded us: Cameron Newton. Should we again be giddy? Yes. Will our giddiness hold up? It should. "Gunslinger" almost doesn’t properly describe Newton, a modern day Doc Holliday (accurate, if ex-teammate Tim Tebow was considered to be a modern day Wyatt Earp). Let’s not pretend that there’s a battle for the quarterback position. I’ve enjoyed lifetime reserve Neil Caudle’s sparse play and admired his dedication, but this isn’t a time to reward patience. This is winning time. And Newton is a winner.

1. Live on ESPNU, it’s Mike Bellotti! (Oh, and the Auburn Tigers Spring Game)

Finally, Auburn’s always entertaining A-Day game gets televised. Will the attention be placed on the television debut of former Oregon coach turned disgraced athletic director Mike Bellotti instead of the game itself? Probably. But that’s just fine for Tiger fans who aren’t local and want to see what 15 solid days of practice can do for a talented team. If my DVR would cooperate, I would have set it to record on April 17 at 2 pm EST on ESPNU already.

Until next time, War Eagle!

Interested in Auburn football, NASCAR racing, or anything else David's weird world encompasses? Follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/davidsmith28

Auburn's New Website Ranked #1 in BCS Poll

2010-03-16T19:45:00.000-07:00

The Auburn Football office quietly unveiled a new football website, that's a myriad of wonderful.

Auburn War Eagle is an in-your-face experience that provides info on every key player (introduced by Kodi Burns, Antonio Coleman, and Cool Wes Byrum), is home to relevant clips from the regional television show Auburn Everyday, and looks like a multimedia recruiting mecca.

The best thing Auburn War Eagle offers is the individual player highlights. Finally, I get to see Demond Washington's fumble recovery for a two-point conversion against Ole Miss that I missed when DirecTV decided to black out for 20 minutes.

I also learned that Neiko Thorpe's alias is "The Glove" and Daren Bates's alias is "Headhunter."

A word of warning though, if you view this at work, your productivity will decrease by roughly 82 percent.

Of note, not only is offensive lineman Byron Isom listed as "Lee Isom," but Burns digitally introduces him as "Lee Isom." A little research on my part helped discover that Byron's dad's name is Lee. A name change perhaps? As a little kid, I used to pretend that my first name was Astro. As in Astro Smith. It feels good to know that I connect on some level with my favorite Auburn big ugly.

Until next time, War Eagle!

Interested in Auburn football, NASCAR racing, or anything else David's weird world encompasses? Follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/davidsmith28

Tyrik Waves Bye to Groupies and Golddiggers

2010-03-02T14:01:00.000-08:00

I’m not a beat writer. I’m not a recruiting insider. I’m not really even that astute of a blogger. What I am is an outside observer of Auburn football who might think a little bit differently than the rest of the online media does. So, I created The Jungle Cat (TJC) to serve as its own world, with inside jokes, entertainment, and ideas that provoke a little more thought hoping to add a little more Auburn to your day.

That said this is the first off-season for TJC. What’s a dude to write about? I’m not going to supply you with Ben Tate NFL Combine updates or breaking news about Daren Bates’s position change. If I post news, it’s already been broken, and let’s face it, in this day in age, if I’m the second to post news, I’m way too late.

So here’s my theory: it’s the OFF-season. As in, no games, no stress, no pressure. It’s time for fun. Let’s have some.

In keeping with true TJC fashion, here is my skewed post-game commentary on the biggest Auburn news of the last two weeks:

**Tyrik Rollison is transferring to Sam Houston State

Ok, let’s digest this one for a sec. Tyrik Rollison was a very popular player for Tiger fans. An up-and-coming quarterback, it was this Sulphur Springs, Texas native who was the crown jewel of our 2009 recruiting class. For fans of the recruiting process, this was a big deal and a major blow to the Tigers.

But here’s the reality: Yes, he's transferring, but Tyrik never played for us. Not even in a spring game. No one ever saw him take a snap as an Auburn Tiger. He redshirted last season (although he did travel with the team to away games – something that goes against the grain when developing redshirted freshmen) and was looked upon as the soon-to-be trigger-man in the Gus Malzahn offense. And then Cameron Newton happened. Newton will likely be next year’s starter under center. Neil Caudle, Clint Moseley, and Barrett Trotter are all serviceable backups as Auburn heads into spring practice with a dandy crop of QBs ready to uncork.

You’re probably saying to yourself, “But Tyrik was the future of this team!” That’s fine. Let me rebuttal with some insight and few subliminal messages.

Quarterbacks transfer. It’s a necessary evil which helps unclog logjams at a position in which only one player can play on the field at a time. And like quarterback prospect Deron Furr in 2008 (Furr was actually moved to safety before quitting the team), that decision comes early.

Our future is set. Kiehl Frazier. Behind Newton, who, ohbytheway was the top Junior College player in the nation in 2009 and the ONLY QUARTERBACK, JUCO OR HIGH SCHOOL, to be rated as a five-star prospect by Rivals.com, we have Caudle – a true Auburn man with a good, accurate (not explosive) arm – along with Trotter and Moseley who have studied the Gus Malzahn offense like bookworms for a solid year. I like our chances for 2010. After this season, our future could lay in the hands of Trotter or Moseley or a yet-to-be-determined recruit. Kiehl Frazier.

If you’re still not convinced: Last year Malzahn turned Chris Todd from a craptastically loathsome quarterback under the Tuberville/Franklin fiasco of a regime to our second most integral offensive cog behind Darvin Adams. I watched every game of that woeful 2008 season. There was no way in hell I would have predicted Todd would ever be THAT good in 2009. Call Malzahn “Helen Keller,” because he’s a miracle worker.

Also, be happy about the fact that there is a healthy crop of high school quarterbacks currently interested in the eccentricities of Malzahn’s offense. Kiehl Frazier. With Big Cat Weekend and The Tiger Prowl returning this summer, it’s evident that the Auburn coaching staff is gearing up for another run at a top-five recruiting class which this year will include a prime choice gunslinger. Kiehl Frazier.

Now, I’m not going to pinpoint or openly politic for a certain prospect over another (I’m done doing that). I think that at this point the coaching staff has earned our trust from a recruiting perspective, would have made a pitch to stay to Tyrik if there had been any doubt that Auburn’s quarterback battle was anything less than where it needed to be, and has us headed in the right direction in determining the on-field game manager for the 2010 season. Beyond that, we know this team is in good hands. K-i-e-h-l. F-r-a-z-i-e-r.

Until next time, War Eagle!

Interested in Auburn football, NASCAR racing, or anything else David's weird world encompasses? Follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/davidsmith28

Join the Jungle Cat Mailing List

2010-02-28T18:08:00.000-08:00

Want to be notified when I post a Jungle Cat article? Email me your desired email address at info@davidsmithmotorsports.com and I'll add you to the mailing list. Also, don't be afraid to follow me on Twitter, where I'll post links to the articles.

War Eagle!

Interested in Auburn football, NASCAR racing, or anything else David's weird world encompasses? Follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/davidsmith28

Bizarre Stories in Auburn Recruiting - Part 3

2010-02-18T13:46:00.000-08:00

A LOT has gone on behind the scenes in Auburn’s recruiting for the 2010 class and the upcoming 2011 class. To date, there’s been a lot of bizarre happenings that have taken place on the way to our top-five 2010 class. For good measure, one strange story has already shaped recruiting for next year.

This is the third of a three-part series of "Bizarre Stories in Auburn Recruiting":

Davis pulls a "Reverse Jim Brown"

Stephen Davis rushed for 92 yards against Penn State in the 1996 Outback Bowl, before an injury sat him down and ended his collegiate career. The South Carolina native went on to become a standout NFL performer before retiring in 2006.

Who would have thought that Davis would be integral in swaying the mind of another young South Carolina running back in making a college decision?

When Marcus Lattimore, one of the nation’s top overall players and who some believed really wanted to play for the Tigers, picked up an Auburn hat handed to him by Davis, tossed it aside, and announced he was staying in-state to play at South Carolina, the collective minds of Auburn recruitniks wondered what in the hell had just happened. Did Davis really do this to us? Did he pull a "Reverse Jim Brown" on Auburn?

Jim Brown was a key player in the recruitment of Ernie Davis to Syracuse University in 1958. Brown, a Syracuse football legend, insisted that Ernie – who had started being recruited by Syracuse late in the process – go and play for then-Head Coach Ben Schwartzwalder. He did, and he donned the No. 44 that Brown previously had made famous, en route to becoming the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy.

That said, it’s clear that Stephen Davis didn’t watch The Express. Based on varying reports, Davis told Lattimore that he regretted not playing in front of his family and that he should stay close to home. Lattimore picked South Carolina, because, you know, when you think of greatness, naturally you think of the Gamecocks (that’s a Lewis Black reference for those who care).

Davis spoke about what he felt in his heart. Apparently his heart isn’t loyal to the Plains.

Should Davis be considered a traitor? Of course not, but don’t think that this doesn’t affect the way Auburn fans will think of him. He’s still a Tiger, but he didn’t do us a solid on this one.

If Marcus Lattimore becomes what he is projected to become, then this will be a black cloud that looms over Stephen Davis’s legacy. If Auburn legacies have odor, Bo Jackson’s would smell like the interior of a Cadillac Escalade. Davis’s would smell like someone farted inside of a beat-up Ford Bronco.

Of course, Davis may have knowingly tainted his legacy so that a kid could make the best decision for him. It may have been a completely selfless act. That would be the objective way of looking at it, but this website is called thejunglecat.com, not puppiesandpinwheels.com.

Until next time, War Eagle!

Interested in Auburn football, NASCAR racing, or anything else David's weird world encompasses? Follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/davidsmith28

Bizarre Stories in Auburn Recruiting - Part 2

2010-02-10T13:11:00.000-08:00

Interested in Auburn football, NASCAR racing, or anything else David's weird world encompasses? Follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/davidsmith28

Bizarre Stories in Auburn Recruiting - Part 1

2010-02-08T12:36:00.000-08:00

“Some stuff happened (Friday) night, and then this morning I chose Auburn. There were a lot of Alabama fans (at the announcement) because I guess they took me for granted. They thought I was a lock.

“I felt like I was taken for granted even by the coaching staff at Alabama. That's just not where I need to be. I'm not about to go into that kind of program. The fans and reporters were really, really surprised, but I'm doing what's best for me and my family.”

After the announcement that he would sign with Auburn, one Tigers fan had some fun on YouTube, helping explain the current state of Tide recruiting:

Until next time, War Eagle!

Interested in Auburn football, NASCAR racing, or anything else David's weird world encompasses? Follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/davidsmith28

Signing Day Bonanza!

2010-02-03T20:52:00.000-08:00

I don’t trot out the wacky waving inflatable arm-flailing tube men unless I’m REALLY happy. And today, I’m quite sprightly.

Head Coach Gene Chizik, Recruiting Coordinator Curtis Luper, and the rest of the Auburn coaching staff reeled in one whale of a signing class today. Tonight, I’ll introduce you to 27 new Auburn Tigers.

Five Tigers already enrolled during the early signing period. I’ll add them to breakdown below.

Ladies and gentlemen, your 2010 Signing Class:

QUARTERBACK (1)
Cameron Newton, 6-6, 247, Blinn Community College/Brenham, TX
Recruited by Curtis Luper and Gus Malzahn (Already Enrolled)
Rated the No. 1 Junior College Prospect by Rivals.com

In case you missed my ultra-popular post on Newton, here it is. Rivals.com recruiting analyst Barton Simmons touted him as one of two impact players in this year’s Auburn class.

*****

RUNNING BACK (1)
Michael Dyer, 5-8, 201, Little Rock Christian/Little Rock, AR
Recruited by Curtis Luper and Gus Malzahn (Signed Today)
Rated the No. 1 Running Back Prospect by ESPN

Dyer was compared by ESPN this morning to 2009 Heisman-winning running back Mark Ingram. Possibly the top pick of this impressive litter, he is expected to start as a freshman. Rivals.com’s Barton Simmons says he’s the other impact player (with Newton being the first) and will contribute immediately.

*****

WIDE RECEIVER (4)
Antonio Goodwin, 6-2, 170, Washington/Atlanta, GA
Recruited by Tracy Rocker and Trooper Taylor (Signed Today)
Under Armour All-American

Shaun Kitchens, 6-3, 211, Banneker/College Park, GA
Recruited by Tracy Rocker and Trooper Taylor (Signed Today)

Trovon Reed, 6-0, 173, Thibodaux/Thibodaux, LA
Recruited by Curtis Luper and Trooper Taylor (Signed Today)
Rated by Rivals.com as the No. 1 Player in Louisiana

Jeremy Richardson, 6-4, 220, Springville/Springville, AL
Recruited by Trooper Taylor and Tommy Thigpen (Signed Today)

An uber-athletic crop of receivers is in place in this class, highlighted by Goodwin, a gem from the state of Georgia, and Reed, a YouTube sensation who was also an Army All-American. Goodwin is expected to play as a flanker (a position similar to current Tiger receivers Darvin Adams and Terrell Zachery), while Reed projects as a slot receiver (not lined up on the outside). Kitchens – a large athlete – could get looks as a WR/TE hybrid. Richardson, if he qualifies for school this semester, would also look at competing for a flanker role in the receiving rotation.

*****

TIGHT END (2)
Brandon Mosley, 6-6, 285, Coffeyville Community College/Coffeyville, KS
Recruited by Jeff Grimes and Gus Malzahn (Already Enrolled)

Dakota Mosley, 6-4, 252, Little Rock Christian/Little Rock, AR
Recruited by Gus Malzahn (Signed Today)
Army All-American

The Mosley boys (not-related) make up our tight end class, but in all actuality, they may not play that position in Auburn. Brandon Mosley already has the size and frame, but also has freakish athleticism that could make him an interesting o-line candidate. Dakota Mosley, who is also a very skilled long snapper, could also move to the line, but with the depth chart as it stands, it looks as if Auburn could be better served with him catching passes.

*****

OFFENSIVE LINE (6)
Ed Christian, 6-5, 280, Lowndes/Valdosta, GA
Recruited by Curtis Luper (Signed Today)

Shon Coleman, 6-7, 285, Olive Branch/Olive Branch, MS
Recruited by Jeff Grimes and Trooper Taylor (Signed Today)
Rated by Rivals.com as the No. 1 Player in Mississippi

Tunde Fariyike, 6-3, 295, Upson-Lee/Thomason, GA
Recruited by Jeff Grimes (Signed Today)

Roszell Gayden, 6-7, 310, College of the Sequoias/Visalia, CA
Recruited by Jeff Grimes (Already Enrolled)

Eric Mack, 6-4, 315, Calhoun County/St. Matthews, SC
Recruited by Jay Boulware (Signed Today)
Under Armour All-American

Chad Slade, 6-6, 316, Moody/Moody, AL
Recruited by Jeff Grimes and Tommy Thigpen (Signed Today)

Greatest single offensive line class ever at Auburn? Probably. Gayden, who will participate in spring practice could become our starting right tackle next year. Coleman and Mack, both All-Americans, could end up becoming our starting left tackle and left guard, respectively a year or two from now. For depth purposes, Christian, Fariyike, and Slade are terrific pick-ups, especially Fariyike, an under-the-rader projected center who brings to Auburn a 3.9 GPA and a score of 27 on the ACT. I’m a big fan of bright guys hiking the ball. Rivals.com rates this as the top offensive line class in the country.

*****

DEFENSIVE LINE (7)
Joel Bonomolo, 6-3, 245, Fullerton Community College/Fullerton, CA
Recruited by Phillip Lolley and Trooper Taylor (Signed Today)

Kenneth Carter, 6-5, 267, Greenville/Greenville, AL
Recruited by Jeff Grimes and Tracy Rocker (Signed Today)

Justin Delaine, 6-5, 225, Linden/Linden, AL
Recruited by Phillip Lolley (Signed Today)

Corey Lemonier, 6-5, 223, Hialeah/Hialeah, FL
Recruited by Tracy Rocker and Trooper Taylor (Signed Today)
Under Armour All-American

Ladarious Phillips, 6-1, 275, Roanoke/Roanoke, AL
Recruited by Gus Malzahn and Phillip Lolley (Signed Today)

Craig Sanders, 6-4, 240, Ariton/Ariton, AL
Recruited by Jeff Grimes (Already Enrolled)

Jeffrey Whitaker, 6-3, 295, Warner Robbins/Warner Robbins, GA
Recruited by Tracy Rocker (Signed Today)
Army All-American

Bonomolo, Delaine, Lemonier, and Sanders project as defensive ends for the Tigers. Lemonier, a standout from South Florida hotbed Hialeah High School, announced his decision live today on ESPNU and is compared by Rivals.com to former Auburn great and current Jacksonville Jaguars player Quentin Groves. Bonomolo is a physical specimen, funny considering he’s a dead-ringer for the kid in the AT&T commercials who doesn’t want to use his rollover minutes.

Carter, Phillips, and Whitaker project as defensive tackles. Whitaker, an All-American, is the hoss of the bunch and has the best size and frame out of the three, meaning he’s the best chance to compete immediately for playing time. Phillips played fullback in high school, but, similar to former Auburn fullback turned d-tackle Tez Doolittle, could pan out to be a solid gap-stopper for the Tigers.

*****

LINEBACKER (4)
Jessel Curry, 6-2, 215, Buford/Buford, GA
Recruited by Ted Roof (Already Enrolled)

Jake Holland, 6-1, 228, Pelham/Pelham, AL
Recruited by Tommy Thigpen (Signed Today)
Under Armour All-American

LaDarius Owens, 6-2, 225, Jess Lanier/Bessemer, AL
Recruited by Tommy Thigpen (Signed Today)
Under Armour All-American

Jawara White, 6-2, 220, Charles Henderson/Troy, AL
Recruited by Jeff Grimes and Ted Roof (Signed Today)

Defensive Coordinator Ted Roof brought gets a brand, spankin’ new batch of man-handling linebackers to play with. Owens, a standout in the Under Armour All-American game, leads the bunch. Holland was a tackling machine, Curry is a terrific all-around athlete and will participate in spring practice, and Jawara “Rah-Rah” White has been interested in Auburn University since the Tuberville Era. Rivals.com’s Barton Simmons singled out White as the best sleeper of this class.

*****

DEFENSIVE BACK (5)
Chris Davis, 5-11, 175, Woodlawn/Birmingham, AL
Recruited by Phillip Lolley and Tommy Thigpen (Signed Today)

Demetruce McNeal, 6-1, 176, Banneker/College Park, GA
Recruited by Tracy Rocker (Signed Today)

Jonathon Mincy, 5-10, 175, Southwest Dekalb/Decatur, GA
Recruited by Phillip Lolley and Tommy Thigpen (Signed Today)

Ryan Smith, 6-2, 208, Cordova/Cordova, AL
Recruited by Tommy Thigpen (Signed Today)

Ryan White, 6-0, 185, Lincoln/Tallahassee, FL
Recruited by Phillip Lolley (Signed Today)

In all honesty, this might be the weakest part of this year’s class, but expect this area to be a strength in 2011. Nevertheless, this defensive back pack is filled with darkhorses. Rivals.com’s Barton Simmons said that Chris Davis will be one to watch, while Smith, who flipped his commitment from Kentucky to Auburn on signing day, is said to be a head-hunter in the form of current Tiger Mike McNeil. Davis, Mincy, and White double as skilled return specialists – a position of need at Auburn.

*****

KICKER (2)
Steven Clark, 6-5, 230, Park Hill/Kansas City, MO
Recruited by Jay Boulware (Signed Today)

Cody Parkey, 6-2, 195, Jupiter/Jupiter, FL
Recruited by Jay Boulware (Signed Today)
Under Armour All-American

Well, kickers are kickers. Parkey’s poor performance in the Under Armour All-American could be chalked up to a bad holder. At the end of the day, these two are good at what they do. Head Coach Chizik puts a premium on specialists:

“I’m willing to spend scholarships that can change field position,” said Chizik. “I’ll always be willing to do that.”

*****

On a national landscape, Auburn’s class ranks fourth on Rivals.com and fourth on ESPN.

Here’s some video from Gene Chizik’s Post Signing Day Press Conference, courtesy of Al.com:

Auburn coach Gene Chizik on Signing Day 2010

This weekend, I'll update my loyal Jungle Cat readers on some recruiting outtakes that took place prior to Signing Day. And trust me, there were some doozies.

Until then,

War Eagle!

Interested in Auburn football, NASCAR racing, or anything else David's weird world encompasses? Follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/davidsmith28

I'm on Team Kiehl

2010-01-25T08:17:00.000-08:00

This past weekend, our Auburn Tigers hosted a select group of high school juniors for an unofficial group visit. Present in that group were highly-touted quarterbacks Kiehl Frazier and Jeff Driskel.

Both quarterbacks are being recruited by Offensive Coordinator Gus Malzahn. Both quarterbacks marvel at Malzahn’s high-powered offense (Frazier, in fact, already plays in it), but that’s where the playing similarities end.

Driskel is a Pro-Style quarterback. Frazier is a dual-threat QB. Driskel hails from Florida, a recruiting hotbed. Frazier is from Arkansas, a state with plenty of Auburn connections already. Driskel has impressive arm strength. Frazier has impressive in-game instincts. Driskel has been compared to Tim Tebow. Frazier has been compared to Vince Young.

Blatantly attempting to turn this into a Twilight-like separation piece, I’m on Team Kiehl. And not for any of the aforementioned differences.

Kiehl Frazier is a consummate winner.

Frazier’s Shiloh Christian Academy of Springdale, Ark. captured its second-straight 4A Arkansas state championship, after a 13-1 season and a championship game in which Frazier cemented his status as a state high school legend. His Most Valuable Player Award was a mere formality. And in a true “What are the odds?” moment, he was named the Gus Malzahn Player of the Year in the state of Arkansas.

A Driskel-led Hagerty High School in Oviedo, Fla. finished the season with a 2-9 record. Driskel himself somehow has offers from Florida and Miami in addition to Auburn. Hey Jeff, I’m gonna let you finish, but Kiehl Frazier had one of the best seasons of all-time! All-time!

I want a winner. Kiehl Frazier is a winner.

For grins, here is a list of BCS title-winning quarterbacks in the last five years and what they accomplished with their teams in high school:

**Greg McElroy, Caucasian Tide, 2009 – Carroll Senior High School (TX) – Only started his senior season, but led Carroll to a 16-0 record and a state championship

**Tim Tebow, Florida, 2008 – Nease High School (FL) – Led Nease to a 13-2 record and a state championship in his senior season, breaking all major state passing records in the process

**Matt Flynn, LSU, 2007 – Robert E. Lee High School (TX) – Led his team to the playoffs his junior and senior years in a tough 5A classification. His senior season ended when Robert E. Lee lost in the state semi-finals

**Chris Leak, Florida, 2006 – Independence High School (NC) – In his three years as a starter, Independence only lost one game and captured three state championships

**Vince Young, Texas, 2005 – Madison High School (TX) – A three-year starter, he put up ridiculous numbers throughout his career, but also led Madison to a state title game appearance his senior year, only losing by six points

The conclusion: winning games in high school translates into winning games in college.

If Jeff Driskel wants to fit this distinction, his 2010 season better be lights-out. Regardless, I want Frazier to ink his name on a Letter of Intent to Auburn on Signing Day 2011.

He’s got two rings already. And I think he can some more at the collegiate level. Go Team Kiehl.

War Eagle!

Photo courtesy of NWAPreps.com.

Auburn Jerseys for the Mayoral Occasion

2010-01-18T08:21:00.000-08:00

Here's a dandy video of Evanston, Ill. city officials upholding a wager with the Auburn, Ala. Mayor's Office as a result of Auburn's win in the Outback Bowl over Northwestern (based in Evanston).

You'll notice Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl is rocking a Craig Stevens jersey. Nicely done, Mayor:

War Eagle!

Horses Headed to the Glue Factory

2010-01-18T08:08:00.000-08:00

Head Coach Gene Chizik attended Saturday’s basketball game at Auburn and notified the media on a quick status update regarding the 2010 Auburn football roster. Here’s the brunt of the impromptu fireside chat:

**Three of Auburn’s horses are headed to the glue factory. Linebackers Adam Herring and Spencer Pybus and offensive lineman Vance Smith, due to injuries, will quit football, but stay in school on scholarship. Their scholarships will not count toward the 85 scholarship limit mandated by the NCAA.

My snap take: I hate to see Herring go. After having surgery on his heel prior to the season, Herring started in the opener against Louisiana Tech and made the transition for rising star Eltoro Freeman easier. Herring will be missed; however, Pybus won’t be (at least not by me). Pybus played in 2008 as a freshman and became known for missing tackles and running past ball carriers. From a depth standpoint, he could have helped, but his ceiling for potential maxed out at “Special Teams Specialist.” Smith never really made a blip on the radar after being moved from tight end to offensive guard.

**Defensive end Cameron Henderson, who was suspended for the entire 2009 season, has left school and will play football elsewhere.

My snap take: See ya. His attitude has never been amiable and he never brought one positive to the Auburn program. I hope he’s a better fit with whichever school he enrolls in next.

**Hobbled defensive backs Mike McNeil and Aairon Savage are expected back for next season. Specifically, McNeil will be ready to go for spring practice, while Savage is awaiting to hear from the NCAA on whether or not he’ll be granted a sixth year of eligibility.

My snap take: Great news! McNeil was a heavy hitter at the safety position and while his propensity to blow coverage glosses over the fact that he was a good all-around DB, he was sorely missed this season (bright side: Freshman Daren Bates started every game for the Tigers and became a breakout star). Savage, who has missed the last two years, was once known as Auburn’s best cover corner under the old Will Muschamp-manned defense. His presence and veteran savvy can only help a precocious secondary.

**Quarterback Tyrik Rollison and running backs Eric Smith and John Douglas have had their suspensions lifted and have been reinstated to the team.

My snap take: It’s great to have Smith back, who, let’s face it, is the ultimate safety valve in the Gus Malzahn offense and was greatly missed in the Outback Bowl. He was suspended for the bowl game after being ruled academically ineligible. He’s back on track now.

Rollison did severe damage to his career after being suspended for disciplinary reasons, missing possible snaps during bowl practice and watching as the coaching staff, undaunted apparently, went after and signed Cameron Newton, the nation’s top junior college quarterback.

Douglas was arrested for DUI in late 2009 and was subsequently suspended for the bowl game. He played rarely as a backup to Smith during the season. I say he should have been kicked off the team as an example of the coaches’ stance on discipline, but former AU receiver/cornerback Harry Adams has played that sacrificial lamb role already.

War Eagle!

Curtis Luper is a Smooth Operator

2010-01-13T06:45:00.000-08:00

Any regular Facebook user would know that when a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship for one of your “friends” crumbles, the news feed breaks the story this way: (Insert Name) is now listed as single.

I’ve always wanted to see someone who has enough gumption to comment on that status by saying, “So what are you doing Friday night?” If it worked, it would be the Ultimate Facebook Pick-Up.

In the wake of Head Coach Lane Kiffin’s dagger-to-the-heart departure at the University of Tennessee, several recruits are left heartbroken and confused. The good news? The ace recruiting staff of Auburn, led by Recruiting Coordinator Curtis Luper (pictured) is attempting to pull the Ultimate Facebook Pick-Up.

Case in point, here is what top defensive tackle prospect and former Tennessee commit Brandon Willis, who was about to early enroll at UT before electing to do a 180, said to Rivals.com:

“I was just about to leave (Duncan, S.C. for Knoxville, Tenn.) when that came on,” said Willis. “All my bags are packed. I’m talking to my dad right now trying to figure out what to do. I’m back open. I’ve got one more official visit. I might take it, I might not. UCLA is still in the mix. I won’t stay in the state. And I won’t go to Tennessee. They had the nerve to call me and ask me to come to Southern Cal. And coach (Ed) Orgeron had just told me he was going to be my coach at Tennessee. AUBURN JUST CALLED ME. I don’t know what to say.”

Oh, Luper, you’re such a cad.

It should be noted that Auburn has been in hot pursuit of Willis’s teammate at Byrnes High School (SC), running back Marcus Lattimore.

If Auburn pulls off the Ultimate Facebook Pick-Up to land Willis (and fill a gaping hole left by the graduating Jake Ricks), it’ll not only strengthen Auburn’s 2010 class, but also send a message to the rest of the nation: don’t let things simmer between you and your girlfr ... recruit, because Luper and Co. are ready to pounce.

War Eagle!

Photo courtesy of Al.com.

New Kids on the Block

2010-01-12T07:23:00.000-08:00

This week, the “other” semester begins. And much like The Other Boleyn Girl, this semester is trying to become just as noteworthy as its counterpart.

Now, there won’t be any games played, but there will be a HIGHLY anticipated A-Day game on April 17. Why the build-up? Because of a few new faces on the Auburn roster that have high hopes of bringing this program to an unseen level.

Here’s a quick glance at the new kids that have already enrolled at Auburn University:

Cameron Newton – In case you didn’t read my 1,000 word scribe on Friday, here’s a refresher: the top junior college quarterback in the country, a former Florida Gator, may or may not have stolen a laptop, a throwing arm of epic proportions, and the instigator turning every Auburn fan into a gushing, hyperbole-filled mess (or a football version of Dick Vitale).

Roszell Gayden – A 6’7”, 315-pound offensive lineman is also a junior college transfer. Gayden is expected to immediately compete in the spring for a starting spot. As long as coaches single out Lee Ziemba as “what not to do,” the ceiling for potential is high for the former College of the Sequoias standout.

Brandon Mosley – A versatile tight end/offensive line prospect that hails from Coffeyville Community College (former home to AU great Rudi Johnson) that Head Coach Gene Chizik already pinpointed as a potential star.

“Brandon Mosley is a great athlete that is a huge tight end/offensive line prospect who we think his potential is unlimited,” said Chizik. “We think he has some great days ahead of him. He's such a good athlete he can bring a lot to the table as a tight end or an offensive lineman.”

Jessel Curry – Coming to Auburn straight out of high school, Curry has a thin 6’2”, 215-pound frame in which to add to if he wishes to excel at the linebacker position. His athletic prowess alone could end up placing him into next year’s linebacker rotation. Plus the fact that he’s a football player with blonde hair, blue eyes, and a name like “Jessel,” means he’ll probably do pretty well for himself off the field in Auburn as well.

Craig Sanders – One of the more interesting additions for Auburn is Sanders, a defensive end, who went to a K-12 school, originally committed to the Caucasian Tide, elected to visit Auburn (in which during the visit, it’s rumored that Tide Defensive Coordinator Kirby Smart pompously called him and said, “Roll up your windows because they might throw a diploma at you,”), switched his commitment from the Tide to the Tigers, graduated high school early, and is already taking classes (or in another words, working toward that diploma).

Despite Antonio Coleman graduating, Sanders joins what is shaping up to be an electric group of D-Ends that also includes returning rotation players Michael Goggans and Antoine Carter, sophomore Dee Ford, and Nosa Eguae, a redshirt freshman with a ton of potential.

War Eagle!

The Definitive Cameron Newton Article

2010-01-08T07:27:00.000-08:00

“Oh I steal things all the time. It’s just something I do.” – Creed Bratton, a character from the TV show, The Office

Welcome to the dawn of the Cameron Newton Era. It’s going to be a chartered airplane ride filled with hyperbole, Chuck Norris-like comparisons, urban myths, YouTube moments, and immeasurable fun.

Who is Newton exactly? He’s one of the newest students on the Auburn University campus this semester, only he’s a 6’6”, 250-pound junior college transfer who has been brought to The Plains to fulfill his larger-than-life potential and dismantle anyone in the Auburn Tigers’ path.

Sounds like one helluva wrecking ball playing at the defensive end position, right? Only catch is that he’s a quarterback. And not only that, he’s an elite quarterback.

Newton is fresh off of leading Blinn Community College (best known for being the former stomping grounds of Chris “Birdman” Andersen) to a national junior college championship as the team’s starting quarterback. Consequently, he is rated by Rivals.com as a five-star prospect and the nation’s top junior college quarterback. On a recruiting trip to see Blinn wide receiver Dexter Ransom, Auburn Recruiting Coordinator Curtis Luper left blown away … by Newton, not Ransom. The recruitin’ of Newton began shortly thereafter.

Out of high school, Newton signed with the University of Florida and found himself as the backup and heir apparent to Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow (and ahead of John Brantley, next year’s starter for the Gators). Unfortunately for Newton, he proved to be the anti-Tebow (Editor’s Note: Bravo, Cam) and earned his way into Urban Meyer’s doghouse by being somewhat of a reported head case and for not actually being Tim Tebow (this IS Urban Meyer we’re talking about). That’s when Newton’s defining incident as a Gator took place.

Newton was arrested for burglary and obstruction of justice on November 21, 2008 after stealing a fellow student’s laptop. This isn’t exactly the kind of behavior in which to be proud, but it should be noted that, according to SI.com, “The State Attorney’s Office dropped grand theft and tampering charges against (him) … after he completed a pretrial intervention program for first-time offenders that typically includes probation. (He) stayed out of trouble during his probation.”

Newton’s father, Cecil, contends that the arrest was a misunderstanding.

“Everything was misconstrued from the get-go,” said Cecil Newton. “He bought (the laptop) from a kid, didn’t know it was stolen and then didn’t respond to the officers because he was afraid. He learned a life lesson early on.”

Whether or not you believe the senior Newton’s comments, it’s clear that Cameron has some redeeming to do. Many will always believe that he’s a thief. And it’s sure to spark some arguments that could start (and end) in this manner:

Caucasian Tide fan: “Ya’ll got that kleptomaniac under center? I hope he doesn’t try to steal Mark Ingram’s Heisman or our National Championship trophy!”

Auburn fan: “I’m sorry, who’s your quarterback again? Mc who? Isn’t that kid a ginger? Whatever ... Let’s see what happens when we put Daniel Ocean in the pocket and just let him rip.”

In other words, let’s not run from this. Embrace it. Our new quarterback likes to steal things. That’s just something he does. He may be a klepto, but he’s our klepto. But just so you’re properly educated, know two things about Cameron Newton before passing judgment:

1. He’s good. I mean really freaking good. Like, we haven’t had this good of a quarterback at Auburn, um, gee … ever. The gun on this kid’s arm and the swagger in his mind makes him the deadliest quarterback the Southeastern Conference has seen since Georgia’s Matthew Stafford. He’s been compared to former LSU quarterback and current NFL bust JaMarcus Russell (probably because he’s big, black, a quarterback, and media types are lazy to a fault), but after watching highlight tapes, that comparison doesn’t seem fair to him (Newton can run. Fast. Russell was obese). There really isn’t a true comparison to Newton. He, combined with Offensive Coordinator Gus Malzahn, could prove to be a Molotov cocktail of offensive explosiveness for the 2010 Auburn Tigers.

2. Newton has an impact over everyone. Remember the scene from The Dark Knight in which The Joker (Heath Ledger) places explosives on two ferries—one ferry with convicts, who were being evacuated, and the other with civilians—and tells the passengers the only way to save themselves is to trigger the explosives on the other ferry? The biggest, scariest dude on the convict ferry took the detonation device from one of the guards and tossed it into the water, saying that’s what the guards were too weak to do. And no one said anything. He went back to his seat and prayed. THAT’s Newton.

After talking with several people in Gainesville that were close to the 2007 team, the reverence for Newton is clear: Newton had such an impact on his teammates on and off the field that he nearly divided the Florida Gators roster on who should be the starting quarterback. AND THE OTHER QUARTERBACK WAS TIM TEBOW. Do you want this guy on your team? You’re nodding right now aren’t you?

So here it is. The quarterback Auburn has always wanted is now sitting on campus. Are you bummed out that Forrest Gump University just lucked their way into a national title or are you excited for the quarterbacking maestro who has the ability, leadership, testicular fortitude, and the folklore to transform Auburn from a poorly-perceived middle-of-the-road team to an undeniable national power?

Let’s embrace him.

War Eagle!

Photo courtesy of The Town News.

Wild Bowl Game Ends Wild Season for Auburn

2010-01-03T15:15:00.000-08:00

Auburn kicked off 2010 with an unbelievable Outback Bowl which saw Darvin Adams have a career day, Walt McFadden return an interception 100 yards for a touchdown, Ben Tate dunk the football through the goal post, Northwestern’s cavalcade of white wide receivers make outstanding catches, the officials forcing Auburn to win the game three different times, Northwestern’s kicker turn in one of the worst bowl game performances ever seen by a kicker (0-3 on field goals and an injury that forced him out of the game and made Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald gamble on a fake field goal that lost the game), Sylvester Stallone placed in goal for the second half, and the POWs upend the Nazis in one of the greatest upsets ever told.

(Ok, ok, the last two things may have happened in the movie Victory starring Sylvester Stallone and Pele.)

The sheer franticness of the game was unreal. I actually thought Auburn had lost the game on four separate occasions. I even called (I’m not lying about this) that the Northwestern kicker would miss the kick in overtime, but Auburn would rough the kicker, awarding a new set of downs for Northwestern. Yep, I called that. I guess that's what being an Auburn fan through the good and the bad does to one’s psyche.

Nevertheless, it was a 38-35 win in a New Year’s Day bowl game under a first-year coach. That’s got to be a good thing, right? I think so.

Since I haven’t had the opportunity to do this in a while, here are a few Jungle Cat game balls from the Outback Bowl:

**Darvin Adams hauled in 12 receptions for 142 yards, earning Outback Bowl Most Valuable Player honors. Adams wasn’t only the MVP of the game, by my account he was the MVP of Auburn’s entire 2009 season.

**In his final game for the Tigers, running back Ben Tate (pictured) had 120 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries. After his second touchdown, Tate took the ball and dunked it through the goal post, earning a 15-yard penalty to be incurred on the ensuing kickoff. Tate was quickly admonished by Head Coach Gene Chizik shortly thereafter.

The penalty hurt us and helped blow the Tigers’ second 14-point lead of the day. While old-timers on Auburn message boards were abnormally offended by this act, I was pleased to see it. Why? BECAUSE HE FREAKING DESERVED IT.

Tate might be the most underappreciated running back in Auburn football history. He’s never had an off night, never complained, and he's never received proper credit for being a fantastic all-around back. So, on the final touchdown of his collegiate career, he dunked the ball. Who cares? Sure, it kick-started a downward spiral that led to the overtime period.

It’s only fitting that Tate, a guy who has bailed out Auburn time after time, was bailed out by his teammates in his final game.

**Senior cornerback Walt McFadden had two interceptions, including the 100-yard run-back for a touchdown. McFadden now holds two of the four longest interception returns in Auburn history, which also includes a 93-yard run-back against Tennessee Tech in 2007.

He played hobbled and injured, which may have been to his detriment, but you can’t say you won’t be seeing that 100-yard return in a highlight snippet along with a Mel Kiper monologue come NFL Draft time.

**Sophomore cornerback Neiko Thorpe recorded a career-high 14 tackles and a game-clinching knock on Northwestern wide receiver Zeke Markshausen, finally ending the game that would never end.

**The defense as a whole forced six turnovers, including two more interceptions from T’Sharvan Bell and 10-tackle day from Eltoro Freeman.

War Eagle!

Photo courtesy of The Associated Press.

Punt Returner Named All-Conference

2009-12-16T11:34:00.000-08:00

Stop. Stop reading now and look at the title of this post again.

If you a) have a pulse and b) watched at least two Auburn games this year, you're surely saying to yourself that this is a typo.

But OH NO, you're wrong! The Sporting News named it's All-SEC Freshman Team today and, low and behold, Philip Pierre-Louis (pictured) found his way on the list. Several message board posters on The Auburn Sports Bunker suggest that TSN didn't count fumbles. I'll have to admit, I'm scratching my head as well. PPL will be lucky if he's the starting returner coming out of spring practice next year.

Don't get me wrong, congrats are in order for PPL, but his season punt return yards total was 49 yards on 11 returns. There were other Auburn freshmen that stood out on Special Teams. Teammate Anthony Gulley (4.8 to 4.5) had a higher yards per punt return average, while Onterio McCalebb (24.7 to 17.4) had a higher yards per kick return average.

Auburn safety Daren Bates picked up another accolade, being named to this team after being selected to the SEC Coaches All-Freshman team last week.

War Eagle!

Photo courtesy of Al.com.

Recruiting Update: Offense & Special Teams

2009-12-16T07:32:00.000-08:00

Recruiting of the future participants in the Auburn offense has been going swimmingly since the last recruiting update.

Since then a top-ranked running back (Michael Dyer) and a top-ranked offensive lineman (Ed Christian) have given their pledge to the Tigers. But one commit to really get pumped up for is wide receiver Trovon Reed, who was rated by Rivals.com as the top high school player in the state of Louisiana this year.

I've attached a dandy video clip of Reed for your viewing pleasure. Watch this and envision him running those receiver end-arounds that Terrell Zachery became famous for this season. There's little doubt that Reed has the potential to be a beast in the Auburn spread offense:

Here's a glance at the Offensive (and Special Teams) commit list thus far:

Michael Dyer – RB – Little Rock Christian Academy (AR)
Antonio Goodwin – WR – Washington High School (GA)
Shaun Kitchens – WR – Banneker High School (GA)
Trovon Reed – WR – Thibodaux High School (LA)
Jeremy Richardson – WR – Springville High School (AL)
Ed Christian – OL – Lowndes High School (GA)
Shon Coleman – OL – Olive Branch High School (MS)
Dakota Mosley – OL/TE – Little Rock Christian Academy (AR)
Chad Slade – OL – Moody High School (AL)
Cody Parkey – K – Jupiter High School (FL)
Steven Clark – P – Park Hill High School (MO)

War Eagle!

College Football Players Get Swag

2009-12-15T14:19:00.000-08:00

In case you were wondering, each player on the Auburn travel roster will pick up a Best Buy gift card, a Pro Swiss watch, a Jostens Outback Bowl ring, a hat, and an Outback Steakhouse gift card for their participation on the Outback Bowl in Tampa on January 1.

That is of course on the 2009-2010 bowl swag list produced by The Sports Business Journal.

Snazzy huh?

Of course, Auburn University is expected to receive an estimated $1,650,000 for accepting the Bowl invite (that is my estimate, based off of the 2008 total payout). So yeah, a couple of gift certicificates and a free hat will have to suffice for these hard-working Tiger players.

Not only do they get to play a school named after a vague direction (Northwestern), but they get a free hat. And Auburn (as every NCAA school will) is eating Outback's Seared Ahi Tuna dish all the way to the bank.

War Eagle!

Recruiting Update: Defense

2009-12-14T06:42:00.000-08:00

Auburn's recruiting efforts shifted after my last recruiting update from defense to offense, but now closing in on National Signing Day, the Tigers are focusing on offensive linemen, defensive linemen, and defensive backs.

The Tigers added a defensive back commit this weekend in Birmingham, Ala.'s Chris Davis, who gave his pledge after securing the ACT score needed to qualify. Davis, rated only a three-star prospect by Rivals.com, is believed by many in the state of Alabama to be a hidden gem of a recruit.

This Tiger staff is already making waves for seeking out diamonds in the rough. Current Auburn safety Daren Bates was only a two-star prospect last year and now he's the lone Tiger on the All-SEC Freshman team.

Another bit of good news for the Tigers: defensive end Craig Sanders and linebacker Jessel Curry are set to graduate high school early and enroll at Auburn in time for the spring semester this year. That means both players will be on campus and eligible to participate in spring practice.

Here's the defensive commitment list to-date:

Joel Bonomolo – DE – Fullerton Community College (CA)
Justin Delaine – DE – Linden High School (AL)
LaDarius Owens – DE/LB – Jess Lanier High School (AL)
Craig Sanders – DE – Ariton High School (AL)
Kenneth Carter – DT – Greenville High School (AL)
Jessel Curry – LB – Buford High School (GA)
Jake Holland – LB – Pelham High School (AL)
Jawara White – LB – Henderson High School (AL)
Chris Davis – DB – Woodlawn High School (AL)
D.J. Howard – DB/RB – Lincoln High School (AL)
Demetruce McNeal – DB – Banneker High School (GA)
Jonathan Mincy – DB – Southwest Dekalb High School (GA)

War Eagle!

Auburn Headed to the Outback

2009-12-01T11:35:00.000-08:00

Bust out your Bloomin' Onions, Auburn is headed to the Outback Bowl!

The Tigers scored an upset bid for the New Year's Day Bowl Game in Tampa, Florida, where they will play a yet-to-be-determined opponent from the Big Ten Conference.

The only caveat of such a prestigious game is the start time: an 11 am EST kickoff on New Year's Day. Ouch. Hopefully, Head Coach Gene Chizik and staff will put the players on lockdown on New Year's Eve. Regardless, this bowl selection is a major coup for the Tigers and offers a great ending to an Auburn career for this year's senior class.

War Eagle!

We Didn't Win

2009-11-28T18:49:00.000-08:00

There’s never moral victories. You either win the game or you lose it, that’s it.

I’m sorry for sounding like an atheist in the department of moral victories. It was a great Iron Bowl, probably the best one of this decade. And I’m proud of the effort that this Auburn team gave. But when Roy Upchurch (pictured) caught the go-ahead touchdown for Forrest Gump University and the small section of off-scarlet-clad fans rose to their feet, that was it. Everything Auburn had on November 27, 2009 proved to be not good enough.

But don’t get upset with me. That opening line that began this particular Jungle Cat entry? Yeah, those weren’t my words.

“There’s never moral victories, not for me anyway,” said Auburn running back Ben Tate, who rushed for 45 yards in his final game at Jordan-Hare Stadium. “You either win the game or you lose it, that’s it.”

The “well, they played so hard” argument? Meaningless for seniors like Ben Tate, Antonio Coleman, and Walt McFadden, who, for better or worse, were the heart and soul of this year’s Auburn squad. And what about Chris Todd? With everything he’s gone through, it would have been sweet to end his career against the Tigers’ most hated, heated rival. Instead, it ended in a desperation heave that shouldn’t have happened.

Auburn played its best game of the season. They were the best team on the field. It resulted in a loss.

So let’s not call this a “moral victory” or a “great day for Auburn.” It wasn’t a win. Not to these players.

No one rolled Toomer’s Corner. We’re going to have to endure another year of being looked down upon by every Caucasian Tide fanboy. There are no Iron Bowl game balls being passed out on this website. Why? The good guys didn't win this one.

So what happens now? We go to a bowl game, albeit a tiny one, and allow our seniors to put on a show in hopes that they can land a job playing ball in the National Football League (copyright, Ron Jaworski).

Whatever bowl game we go to, we already know what the game plan needs to be. Let Todd throw. Let Tate run. Let Coleman blitz. They deserve it. After this year’s Iron Bowl, that’s the least we could give them.

War Eagle!

Photo courtesy of Associated Press.

The Iron Bowl: Fourth Quarter Recap

2009-11-27T15:02:00.000-08:00

5:18 pm EST: Emory Blake Alert! The true freshman makes a grab to start the fourth quarter.

5:19 pm: Chris Todd inexplicably didn't get sacked and turned an unlikely scamper into a first down.

5:20 pm: Another snippet of the Gene Chizik pre-game speech... "Don't look at the scoreboard, just keep playing. For 60 minutes, this is a street fight." That's a little bit better.

5:25 pm: Auburn eventually forced to punt, which was downed by Demond Washington inside the 20.

5:27 pm: The Auburn defense, including Nick Fairley, is absolutely on fire right now.

5:28 pm: FGU punts as their runt of a coach is seen spewing obscenities on the sidelines. At least right now, it's great to be an Auburn Tiger.

5:33 pm: An extremely conservative and disappointing 3 and out by Auburn.

5:38 pm: Things are getting chippy. On a related note, Steve Beuerlein and I are about to come to blows.

5:39 pm: Antonio Coleman just lowered the boom, practically decapitating Greg McElroy on a sack.

5:40 pm: Bad News: FGU is moving the ball. Good News: Auburn has brought out the hit stick, forcing both McElroy and Julio Jones to hobble on this drive.

5:44 pm: FGU moving closer and closer. They're grinding on Auburn's Bend-Don't-Break defense.

5:50 pm: FGU scores and are going for two with less than a minute-thirty to play.

5:51 pm: Jake Ricks makes the interception on the conversion attempt. 26-21, Caucasian Tide lead.

5:52 pm: I'll take the time now to point out how egregious CBS's commentary has been. They're clearing banking on an FGU win, to the point that Auburn's impressive play is being ignored late in the game.

5:59 pm: Didn't happen. A great, great effort by Auburn. The last one minute, 24 seconds was horrible and poorly coached. I'm proud of the Tigers' players and I'll have more on this edition of the Iron Bowl tomorrow.

End of Fourth Quarter.

The Iron Bowl: Third Quarter Recap

2009-11-27T14:15:00.000-08:00

4:35 pm EST: We're back and rolling with Ben Tate rumbling five yards to the Auburn 28 on the first play of the second half.

4:38 pm: Auburn goes 3 and out.

4:42 pm: FGU goes 3 and out.

4:46 pm: OWWWWWWWW!!!! Darvin Adams grabs his 10th touchdown pass of the season (leads the SEC) on a long bomb from Chris Todd to make it 21-14, Auburn.

4:53 pm: FGU just went 4 and out after an unbelievable Auburn stand. Daren Bates's excitement level must be through the metaphorical roof right now.

4:54 pm: Fumbles Fannin strikes with a dropped pass that would have been a long pass play for the Tigers.

4:56 pm: 3 and out, Auburn. Thank you so much, Mario. I hope you go pro after this year.

4:57 pm: Javier Arenas nearly took a punt return back for a touchdown. Thank God for Neiko Thorpe. That's two Arenas has been close on. Let's go back to kicking the ball out of bounds.

4:59 pm: Jonathan Evans's facemask will soon give FGU their third touchdown. Uggghhh.

5:01 pm: FGU field goal by Leigh Tiffin is good. Thankfully, the Tiffin Motorhomes check didn't bounce for the Tigers. Auburn leads, 21-17.

5:05 pm: Mark Barron intercepted a pass from Chris Todd. That's his seventh of the season. Silver lining: Darvin Adams wiped out Barron with a vicious hit.

5:07 pm: Auburn D-tackle Jake Ricks gets popped with a five-yard offsides penalty. My mom just laughed. Who is she rooting for? Not sure, but she's getting on my nerves.

5:09 pm: A fumble (and recovery) by Trent Richardson just pushed FGU back on a drive where they have a ton of momentum. Big 3rd & 11 coming up.

5:10 pm: BIG stop by Auburn. FGU sends Tiffin in to make a field goal. 21-20, Auburn.

End of Third Quarter.

The Iron Bowl: Halftime Report

2009-11-27T13:15:00.000-08:00

Not much missed on the remainder of the second quarter. Auburn did have a successful drive with two minutes left to play featuring long receptions by Fumbles Fannin and Darvin Adams, but a curious decision to punt instead of kick a field goal (Auburn was at its 35 -- in Wes Byrum territory) ended it. At the half, the Iron Bowl is tied at 14.

Some quick Auburn stats:

**Chris Todd has 70 yards and a touchdown on 7 for 12 passing.

**Ben Tate has 41 yards rushing. FGU's Trent Richardson has rushed for 22 yards and Mark Ingram has 21 yards.

**Darvin Adams has two big catches for 49 yards.

War Eagle!

The Iron Bowl: Second Quarter Recap

2009-11-27T12:55:00.000-08:00

Since my laptop decided now was the time to run Windows updates, it shut down during the second quarter. Good thing, because the Caucasian Tide tied it up in a dominating second quarter.

In other news, Tiger Woods' car accident is becoming an honest-to-God "Buckwheat has been shot" moment that has pretty much interrupted today's telecast on all fronts.

There's five minutes to go in the second quarter. I'll be back at halftime for a quick update.

The Iron Bowl: First Quarter Recap

2009-11-27T12:16:00.000-08:00

2:30 pm EST: We're watching live in Daytona Beach, Florida as the CBS telecast of this year's Iron Bowl is about to commence. Craig Bolerjack and Steve "I Openly Rooted for LSU in the 2006 Eric Brock Game" Beuerlein will be our play-by-play guys. Great (sense sarcasm). Meanwhile, the College Football Today crew has just stated that Auburn doesn't have a prayer and has predicted that the Caucasian Tide will come away with three interceptions today.

2:36 pm: Auburn takes the field. Pandemonium ensues. The Auburn crowd looks raucous today as the Tiger Walk looked like a blast. CBS just showed a snippet of Head Coach Gene Chizik's pre-game speech... "It's not about you, so let's play for everybody else." We'll rank this as a 4 on a scale of 1 to Knute Rockne.

2:40 pm: We kicked the kick-off out of bounds. Par for the course.

2:42 pm: Safety Demond Washington listed as "Barrett Trotter" on the CBS starting lineup graphic (they both wear #14). Gee, can't wait for Wes Byrum to operate in the Wildcat formation.

2:43 pm: Forrest Gump University goes 3 and out.

2:46 pm: WHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! Terrell Zachery utilizes some great blocking and excellent cuts for a 67-yard burn for a Tigers touchdown. 7-0, Auburn.

2:51 pm: Auburn grabs an unconventional onside kick. Gus Malzahn has the gloves off today.

2:55 pm: Flea-flicker pass play from Kodi Burns to Chris Todd to Darvin Adams. First down, Tigers.

2:56 pm: Chris Todd darts up the wide-open middle for another first down for the Tigers. We're on a roll.

2:58 pm: Todd just threw an interception, BUT the play was blown dead before the pick. False start on Lee Ziemba (thanks, Lee, finally one of your idiotic penalties just helped). FGU also grabbed an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

3:01 pm: Ben Tate has been held from the goal line on three-straight plays. We need to do something else here...

3:01 pm: ...and we did! Todd finds Eric Smith in the end zone. Touchdown, Auburn. 14-0. Smith once again proves that he might be our most indespinsable player and Todd grabs the single-season Auburn record with his 20th touchdown pass of 2009.

3:05 pm: We kick another kick-off out-of-bounds. If this is on purpose, I'm totally cool with this. I'd hate to see Gilbert Arenas's cousin take us it the house on us.

3:08 pm: Another 3 and out for FGU. The crunk factor in Jordan-Hare is mighty high right now.

3:14 pm: Auburn went 3 and out, thanks to two-straight broken plays. Beuerlein harps on the fact that both plays looked the same. Shut up, Beuerlein. Don't make me throw something.

3:17 pm: CBS shows us honoring the 1989 Auburn team. Thanks for putting us on probabtion, Pat Dye!

3:18 pm: Greg McElroy completes a first down pass. Next play is a big Auburn stop on a Mark Ingram rush.

3:20 pm: Ingram squeaks out a first down rush following a catch by Julio Jones. The Auburn D is closing up the middle well right now. Let's hope this keeps up.

End of First Quarter

Iron Bowl '09: Mission Impossible

2009-11-27T07:43:00.000-08:00

I hate that school.

You know, that community college in Tuscaloosa that we’re playing today? The one that I refuse to refer to by name (the only acceptable terms for them are Forrest Gump University or the Caucasian Tide).

The team that during a rout last year their coach exclaimed “I f***ing hate these guys!” and kept attempting to roll up the score against a team and coaching staff that had already mailed in its 2008 season?

I hate them. HATE them. I hate the University of Florida more, but let’s face it, Auburn owns them (just like how Georgia owns Auburn). We used to own Forrest Gump University until last year when they got they’re swagger back. Now they’re cocky, self-righteous, and full of thugs.

They’re also a pound-for-pound great football team that boasts the player (running back Mark Ingram) that will most likely upset Texas quarterback Colt McCoy for this year's Heisman Trophy.

(Translation: despite how much we dislike this team, we have our hands full today inside Jordan-Hare Stadium).

On Wednesday night, the Golden State Warriors dressed out eight players, played six of them, and beat a full-bodied Dallas Mavericks squad in NBA action. Why do I tell you this? Because Stephen Curry and company proved that it could be done. Auburn is going to have to emulate the Warriors in today’s Iron Bowl to knock off top-ranked FGU.

Our defense is more bulimic-thin than a Hollywood starlet – dressing out a whopping total of six scholarship defensive backs among four positions and four scholarship linebackers among three positions. To say we’re short-handed is an understatement.

In addition to our hobbling defense, our offensive line has a combined IQ of 82, which isn’t good for quarterback Chris Todd who only thrives when being untouched, kind of like Kel Mitchell’s character in the movie Mystery Men (an "Invisible Boy" who could only be invisible when no one looked at him). The FGU pass rush is dynamic and they’re defense is talked about in reverent tones on ESPN.

(Side note: I’m bracing myself for the amount of times play-by-play man Verne Lundquist mentions FGU linebacker Rolando McClain as the “Quarterback of the Defense” on CBS today. I’m setting the over/under at 3.5).

With everything lacking from our underdog team, there’s one thing we do have: heart. Ben Tate has it. Onterio McCalebb has it. Darvin Adams has it. Demond Washington has it. Daren Bates has it. Our team has adopted a “one big family” mentality. I’m hoping that family has one collective heartbeat.

A win today is going to take a miracle of epic proportions. Can we summon inspired play? I realize it’s the biggest game of the season, but can we expect these 18 to 21 year-old kids to hate the Caucasian Tide as much as we do? I’m not sure, but I believe that if one Auburn team can knock off a full-of-itself powerhouse, it’s this year’s squad.

Since Day One of this season, this team had a different mentality than last year’s. Today is a new day and history will be written in College Football’s most insane rivalry.

Do we have what it takes to do the writing?

I believe in this team. I believe in Auburn.

War Eagle!

Taking Off the Gloves...

2009-11-17T14:52:00.000-08:00

That recruiting class sure is looking good. The future looks bright, the coaching staff is pumped, the fan base is on DEFCON 5, and the returning players know that next year, things will be different.

Unfortunately, this year’s Auburn Tigers squad looked practically anemic against Georgia and that cost us the game, resulting in a 31-24 loss (not as heartbreaking on the DVR’d version).
Looking past Georgia and toward the Iron Bowl? Heck, we were looking past the Bulldogs with our eyes on the 2012 National Championship. Our heads were nowhere near Athens, Georgia.

I’d like to personally thank Ben Tate, Onterio McCalebb, Darvin Adams, and Demond Washington, who may have been the only players on this dwindling roster that gave a damn last Saturday.

Our offensive line sure didn’t, resulting in poor coverage for the entire contest. Chris Todd threw for a cool 238 yards on 20 of 28 passing, but think what could have happened had he had a formidable O-line. Our fan base is quick to blame Todd for a lot (I’m guilty of it too), but at the end of the day, if our offensive line looks crusty, cantankerous, and flat out stupid, there’s no way our cat-loving quarterback is going to be able fulfill his potential. And after this season, I believe that his ceiling for potential was high – and he just showed glimpses.

There’s not one player on the Auburn O-Line I would want in a foxhole with me. That’s saying something. Gone are the days of Marcus McNeill and Ben Grubbs. Now, we have to deal with Lee Ziemba and his band of idiots. There is no conceivable way that any of them would actually receive NFL employment contracts at this juncture. (Although I might, MIGHT, employ Byron Isom to walk behind me at all times, holding a towel that reads “The Jungle Cat” and pay him in weed and enough money to get fast food each night, but that would just be for my own ego.)

I’m not giving a free pass to the defense either. Yes, the D was exceptional against Ole Miss, but this is another game and another week. I’m sick of “lack of depth” or “our depth is showing” being the reason that we have allowed scoreboards all over the Southeast to light up. I realize that depth is an issue, but that doesn’t mean the players we have now can’t play fundamentally-sound defense and look like they’re emotionally involved with the game that is helping them earn a college degree and could ultimately lead to a multi-million dollar career on Sundays.

We play Forrest Gump University in two weeks. Are we ready for that?

Our future looks good, but I’m not much pleased about the now. I’ve bought into this coaching staff, but have all the players done the same? I think there are some bad eggs that need to be weeded out by Willy Wonka’s minions. I don’t want bad eggs on this team. The Veruca Salts can bail.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy about the future. But I hate the fact that the Georgia Bulldogs absolutely own us. They’ve wiped the floor with us for the last four seasons and even did the Soulja Boi dance on our lifeless carcasses in 2007. The Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry isn’t much of a rivalry anymore.

And in two weeks, if we phone in the Iron Bowl to our most hated, heated rival, that won’t be much of a rivalry either.

War Eagle (no exclamation point this time).

Freshmen Break Out in Win Over Furman

2009-11-09T08:23:00.000-08:00

To Gene Chizik’s recollection, Anthony Gulley had never practiced at tailback in practice as an Auburn Tiger. In fact, Gulley was moved to cornerback as Auburn, in emergency mode due to a lack of healthy defensive backs, practiced him at the position for the entire week leading up to Saturday’s game.

The true freshman, who came to Auburn as a wide receiver, broke out, carrying the ball five times for 77 yards and two touchdowns in the Tigers’ 63-31 woodshed-beating of Homecoming opponent Furman.

Another freshman running back – Onterio McCalebb – is still recovering from an ankle injury and sat out, relegating the carries in mop-up duty to H-Backs Mario Fannin and Eric Smith and Gulley, who switched his jersey number for the second time in 2009, shedding his receiver-telling #84 for an ambiguous #8.

"I was actually happy because I haven't practiced offense all week," Gulley said.

With the game long decided and Auburn deep into its reserves in the fourth quarter, Gulley ran 13 yards for one touchdown and 50 yards for another.

"I played running back in high school so I'm pretty much used to being in the backfield. I just saw open field and I ran."

In addition to Gulley, freshmen DeAngelo Benton and Emory Blake finally turned the corner for the Tigers, having their first major games of their collegiate careers.

Benton caught six passes for 88 yards, while Blake caught five balls for 32 yards in reserve play. Starting receiver Darvin Adams dominated the Furman secondary, catching six passes for 115 yards for three touchdowns.

Benton had been viewed by Auburn critics as a bust in his first year on campus. In his defense, the former prep school student hadn’t played a football game in over two years prior to his Tiger debut in September against Louisiana Tech. He had yet to catch a pass prior to Saturday.

Blake, the son of former Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jeff Blake, caught his first ball two weeks ago against LSU and had his first multi-catch game against Furman.

War Eagle!

Photo courtesy of Todd Van Ernst, Auburn.

Eagle, Eagle, War Dyer Eagle!

2009-11-06T14:28:00.000-08:00

Mark this down as a banner day for the Auburn Tigers.

Your Tigers, my Tigers, and now, Michael Dyer's Tigers.

Dyer, ESPN's top-rated high school running back, committed to the good guys in a press conference at his school that doubled as formally accepting an invitation to play in the 2010 Under Armour High School All-American Game.

Dyer credited Offensive Coordinator Gus Malzahn was a big reason he chose the Tigers.

"I have gotten to know him and his offense and everything he had to offer is amazing," Dyer said. "Even when he was at Tulsa, I thought about Tulsa for the simple fact that playing for him would be great and I would have a great opportunity to do some work. You won't meet too many people like him during this whole football process."

In addition to Malzahn, Dyer became infatuated with Auburn's game day atmosphere when he visited in September for the game against West Virginia.

"When I went to the game it was pouring down rain and the game was delayed 30 minutes, but the fans were still there cheering and wet. People had paint all over their bodies and signs that they held out and they sat there throughout the game. They didn't move. Those are true fans that I would like to play for and go out there and give 100 percent."

Dyer is believed to be the opener of the Auburn recruiting floodgates, the coronation of a hard-working and diligent Auburn coaching staff that is made up of ace recruiters.

One thing is for sure, Dyer has big plans for his tenure as a Tiger.

"Auburn is on the rise," he said. "We want it to be that team that everybody talks about like Florida or LSU. Auburn is going to be that one day. Once we all get there and get on the same page, we are going to make history."

War Eagle!

Tweeting Tigers

2009-11-04T10:13:00.001-08:00

For those of you that are into the Twitter thing, several of Auburn's football players are active members of the Twitter Nation. Want to follow your favorite Auburn player? Here's a quick "reply to" list:

Chris Todd - @ChrisToddAU
Tyrik Rollison - @datkid7
Mario Fannin - @SupurMario27
Philip Pierre-Louis - @aufreshprince
Craig Stevens - @Fosicks
Antoine Carter - @HOTBOI360
Walt McFadden - @Wheezy6
Ryan Shoemaker - @AUshoe21

War Eagle!

Etheridge Explains Ordeal

2009-11-04T09:18:00.000-08:00

Zac Etheridge is out of the hospital and greeted the team on Tuesday. The defensive leader received a standing ovation from relieved peers (pictured).

The junior safety sprained ligaments in his neck after a helmet-to-helmet collision with teammate Antonio Coleman during last Saturday’s win against Ole Miss.

Etheridge spoke to the media for the first time on Tuesday. Here’s his recounting of the situation:

"We all know I was paralyzed for a little bit. Just laying on the ground, it felt weird not being able to control your body. I have to give my hats off to Rodney Scott. It's a blessing that he didn't move. I talked to Coach (Houston) Nutt today about the situation. I've just got to give my hats off to Rodney Scott. If he would have moved, I wouldn't be here today. I'd still be laying on the hospital bed. It's just a blessing that I'm even able to walk again today.

"You never know when your last play will be. You never know what's going to happen in life. I'll be fine. I told all the guys -- I'll be fine even if I'm not able to play football again. I will still be around Auburn. I will still be an Auburn man."

Etheridge spoke to the doctors in Birmingham about whether or not he’d put on pads again:

"They said, 'Don't worry about anything. You'll be fine.' I was like, Will I be able to play again? At first, the doctor (said) that they don't know. After we got some pretty good results from the MRI and the X-rays and the CAT scan, things look like I'll be able to play again."

Head Coach Gene Chizik spoke to the media regarding Etheridge’s injury:

"Zac is, obviously for the season, he's out. He's out of the hospital. He's in really good spirits. Some of his teammates have had a chance to see him. He'll rebound from this. He's made a lot of strides since Saturday.

"This football team is vert close. Zac is one of the leaders of this team. It's really important for the guys to see that he's OK. Anytime a family member goes down... we saw you never leave a fallen teammate."

**Funny item of the day: The "Groups" feature on Facebook provided a nice morning chuckle, when it stated on my news feed that 'Zac Etheridge has joined the group Auburn loves you Zac Etheridge! Get well soon!'." Etheridge joined a group dedicated to him. Priceless. Also joining the group? Auburn linebacker commit Jawara White, who's still in high school and has yet to play a down for the Tigers. Family in the making.

War Eagle!

Photo courtesy of Todd Van Ernst, Auburn.

Washington Gets Starting Nod

2009-11-04T08:16:00.000-08:00

When Demond Washington ran back a blocked extra point against Ole Miss, it seemed like a shame that it would only be worth two points. Four days later, it appears as if Washington (pictured), a newcomer to the Tigers in 2009 after spending the last two seasons in the JUCO ranks, is finally reaping a more-deserved reward for his efforts.

On Tuesday, Head Coach Gene Chizik informed him he would be moving from cornerback (and his normal nickel position) to safety. Oh, and he’s starting this weekend against Furman.

"I first heard it (Tuesday) morning. I got up at 5:30 to do some work, and coach told me I had a meeting at 6:30 with the safeties," Washington said. "I was like, 'For what?' He said, 'You're moving to safety.' I was happy because I knew I'd be getting a little more playing time.

"I'm a physical guy. I love to hit. It's going to be great."

The promotion comes after starting safety Zac Etheridge was lost for the season with sprained neck ligaments. Mike Slade had filled in after Etheridge was carted off the field and will now replace Washington as the team’s fifth defensive back in nickel formation.

War Eagle!

Photo courtesy of Todd Van Ernst, Auburn.

Zac Etheridge Suffers Season-Ending Injury

2009-11-01T17:13:00.000-08:00

Junior safety Zac Etheridge sustained a neck injury during Saturday’s game against Ole Miss. As of right now, we know he will miss the rest of the 2009 season. What we don’t know, is whether or not he’ll ever play football again.

Head Coach Gene Chizik told AuburnSports.com that Etheridge might not play football again, but in an interview with The Birmingham News, Chizik said that, “We’re very hopeful for a full recovery,” and said that the Auburn Defense would miss his leadership, stating, “He’s loved by everyone on the football team.”

Etheridge posted pictures of himself in a neck brace on his Facebook page.

The injury happened when he and teammate Antonio Coleman collided, helmet-to-helmet, while attempting to tackle Ole Miss running back Rodney Scott. Scott lay still underneath Etheridge for several minutes while Etheridge was being tended to by the Auburn medical staff.

My thoughts and prayers are with Zac for a speedy recovery.

War Eagle!

Photo courtesy of Al.com.

Auburn Defense Steps Up (Not a Typo)

2009-11-01T17:01:00.000-08:00

The angst, for now, appears over in Auburn.

A three-game slide for the Tigers ended on Saturday, thanks to a 33-20 drubbing of Ole Miss in Jordan-Hare Stadium.

I caught the game on DVR and thoroughly enjoyed every second of Auburn’s wild victory. While the offensive resurgence of Auburn was the headline story for Saturday, the Auburn defense played, perhaps, their best game of the 2009 season, holding Ole Miss to 14 points on the field (the other touchdown score was an Ole Miss kick return in the third quarter). For the majority of the 60-minute contest, Auburn owned highly-touted Ole Miss quarterback Jevan Snead.

Senior defensive leaders Antonio Coleman and Walt McFadden paced the charge for the Auburn D, each grabbing five tackles apiece.

Coleman had four tackles-for-loss, two sacks, a forced fumble, and four quarterback hurries. His two sacks were his 19th and 20th, moving him past Reggie Torbor for fifth on the all-time Auburn sack list.

McFadden’s day was highlighted by an interception runback for a touchdown, but the cornerback also had a second interception and five tackles.

Sophomore linebacker Eltoro Freeman and freshman safety Daren Bates had nine tackles each.

For the first time in a month, The Jungle Cat has some game balls to award:

**The starting 11 on Auburn’s defense was as stout as they’ve been all year. Coleman, McFadden, Freeman, and Bates all had solid games, but linebacker Craig Stevens delivered a few monster hits (pictured), Josh Bynes and Neiko Thorpe both had multiple pass deflections, and the entire D-line, which included Jake Ricks, Mike Blanc, and Antonie Carter, manhandled Ole Miss’s front five. Even backup safety Mike Slade was serviceable after Zac Etheridge went down with a major neck injury (more on this in a separate post).

**Senior running back Ben Tate had 144 yards on the ground, including a 53-yard touchdown scamper. For the first time in his Auburn career, Tate has eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for a single season.

**Wide receiver Terrell Zachery was the recipient of Auburn’s two biggest plays of the day – the first a 42-yard pass from Chris Todd that set up Auburn’s first touchdown and the second a 41-yard catch in the third quarter.

**Demond Washington blocked an Ole Miss extra point attempt and ran it back for an additional two points in Auburn's favor. The heads up move is another reason I've taken a liking to Auburn's most prolific nickelback since Rod Hood.

I didn’t don a jersey on Saturday, opting instead for a navy blue Auburn hoodie in my trek to South Boston Speedway in Virginia for a scouting trip (my day job, for those that are lost). I might ride this non-jersey idea for as long as Auburn wins.

War Eagle!

Photo courtesy of Al.com.

Eradicate the Big Plays...

2009-10-26T14:17:00.000-07:00

...and this defense is coming together. At least that's the word from Defensive Coordinator Ted Roof.

"Here's what happened: (LSU) had five plays for about an average of 32 yards, and they had 61 plays for about three yards a play," Roof said. "It came back to big plays."

Roof also touted the play of linebacker Eltoro Freeman and safety Zac Etheridge. On Freeman: "I think that he's seeing things better. He's doing a better job with his eyes."

**Kevin Scarbinsky's Monday column in The Birmingham News focused on Alabama "playing tired" in their way-too-close-for-comfort win Saturday against Tennessee.

Scarbinsky brought up a good point: "If Alabama is tired, what does that make Auburn? The team of the living dead? Every team in the SEC except Vanderbilt, which plays 12 straight, and South Carolina -- which played two Thursday games to get mini-breathers earlier -- will have an open date before Auburn, which doesn't get a weekend off till Nov. 21. Every team in the NFL will have a bye week before Auburn. Jay Jacobs did Gene Chizik a favor when he hired him. He did him no favors when he set up his schedule."

War Eagle!

Nowhere Close to a Win

2009-10-26T12:29:00.000-07:00

I am an idiot.

In my previous post, I predicted a win against LSU. Obviously, that didn’t happen. What went wrong? Well…

**Either someone on our offensive line is tipping plays or our linemen are actually that bad. At this point, I would prefer the former, which would mean we would only have to get rid of one bozo and not five. We allowed four sacks, plus we allowed quarterback Chris Todd to get repeatedly pummeled (if Todd had gotten hurt and elected to sue the offensive line for damages covering the hospital bills, I really feel like he would have won the lawsuit). Tight end Tommy Trott proved to be damn near worthless as a blocker and running back Onterio McCalebb missed key blocks, leading to some highlight-reel worthy hits on Todd.

**Todd played dismal once again, but to his defense, he received poor blocking and his receivers could not get open (which we should expect since Darvin Adams and Terrell Zachery are now keyed-in on by every defense we see). Our dynamic receiving duo caught a combined one ball.

**Our defense is sketchy at best. Even when we made some big defensive stops in the first half, we fumbled the punt or threw an interception on the ensuing drive. Our defense is on the field just as much as the officials.

**Our cornerbacks are especially terrible in coverage. Every time there’s a long pass play, expect one of two things from Walt McFadden or Neiko Thorpe: the receiver catches the ball or a defensive pass interference penalty occurs. If the receiver they’re guarding is Brandon LaFell, go ahead and pencil in a touchdown.

The end result was a 31-10 loss. Not the biblical, Law Abiding Citizen-style murdering that many claimed we were in for, but not something in which to be proud.

It’s now been three weeks since I’ve awarded any game balls (remember that?). Even though there isn’t a lot to be happy about with a loss, there were some things I liked:

**Welcome to the fold, Eltoro Freeman. The sophomore linebacker chose the national spotlight to hold his breakout game with 12 tackles and playing at an entirely different level than the rest of the Auburn defense. THIS is living up to his potential. Unfortunately, he plays next to Josh Bynes who, even though he provides a great quote, is possibly the slowest middle linebacker in the conference (see picture). The Bull is now going to have to pull not only his own weight, but the weight of the entire linebacking unit until our stellar recruiting class gets here next fall.

**Freshman tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen caught the only Auburn touchdown. While several Auburn fans believe that Chris Todd needs to lose his starting job, I’m not so sure; however, I feel as if Tommy Trott’s tenure as the starting tight end needs to come to a close. Big Lutz is the present and the future of that position. If he can block, then I’ll do cartwheels.

**Eric Smith again proved his consistency as a reliable outlet for Auburn. He caught three passes for 31 yards (which was a team-high).

**Freshman wide receiver Emory Blake recorded his first career reception in the fourth quarter. If the double-downs on T-Zach and Darvin continue, expect Blake to be thrown into the mix during the final month of the season.

**Our defensive line is admirable, especially D-tackles Jake Ricks and Mike Blanc. Blanc might actually be playing out of position because both players look like ideal nose guards. Regardless, those two, along with Antonio Coleman and Antoine “Hot Boy” Carter are playing well on what have to be very tired legs.

I’m hoping and praying that this Auburn team can turn things around in time to get one or two more wins and a bowl game invitation. This Saturday’s 11 am CST game against Ole Miss is going to be shaky.

Can we please grow some stability this week in practice?

War Eagle!

Photo courtesy of Al.com.

Game Day: We're Going to Lose Tonight*

2009-10-24T06:20:00.000-07:00

I would start out by saying something along the lines of “We’ll see you in Death Valley, LSU” or “We’ve got LSU’s number in the Bayou tonight,” but seriously, what’s the point?

None of what I consider to be the smart Auburn beat writers picked us to win. Not Evan Woodberry. Not Charles Goldberg. Not Bryan Matthews. Not Jeffrey Lee.

There’s no point in watching College Gameday anymore when all they discuss nowadays is Tim Tebow and Colt McCoy. But there’s no doubt, we’ll be picked to get shellacked.

It would be even more pointless to say that I’ll be wearing my Brandon Cox jersey (pictured) tonight (the one that helped score Auburn a win against Ball State this year).

Here are the facts: we’ve been exposed as being not super human like the majority of our fan base once thought, losing the last two games in a row. We haven’t won in Baton Rouge in ten years. Our defense can’t hold a bladder, much less an offense from scoring less than 20. LSU has had two weeks to prepare for this game when in reality all it takes to prep for us is 30 minutes.

Come to grips with it, Auburn fans. Tonight is going to be a butt-whipping unlike anything we’ve ever seen. It’s going to be biblical.

(Wait for it.)

(Wait a little bit more.)

(Getting closer…)

(Here it comes…)

*Auburn will win tonight.

I haven’t fallen on my head (at least this month I haven’t) and yes, I’m quite certain I could pass a field sobriety test.

First of all, when was the last time this game wasn’t close. Did you see the team we trotted out last year? We almost beat LSU. And we were pitiful last year. At least now, there is hope.

Remember when Kenny Irons (of all people) guaranteed, on national television, 200 rushing yards against LSU in 2005? Even though he had no business making that guarantee (which is reason No. 42 of why I loved the craziness that was Irons Brothers), he did it. If kicker John Vaughn hadn’t delivered one of the all-time great choke jobs (he missed four field goals), we would have won that game.

Remember Eric Brock? Yes you do. You know why? Because of the 2006 LSU game (And absolutely no other reason whatsoever).

Remember when LSU won when Coach Les Miles’s brain fart inadvertently became a gutsy call? (Miles contests that was the plan all along, but I disagree – watch the clock.)

Why will we win tonight? Because Les Miles is secretly an idiot. Because, according to ESPN.com, quarterback Jordan Jefferson is thisclose to being yanked as the starter. Because there’s no conceivable ebb and flow to the LSU offense. Because they almost lost to Mississippi State this year – a team we beat soundly. Because this is the shakiest LSU defense in the last ten years. Because Auburn, through all the trials and tribulations from the last two years, is due for a crazy upset win. Because we have nothing to lose at this point.

Kill the doom and gloom right now. We’re going to make a game out of this.

And if I'm wrong, then I'm an idiot. But I think the stars are aligning tonight.

War Eagle!

N&N Following Kentucky

2009-10-23T06:39:00.000-07:00

Building up to this weekend’s battle in Baton Rouge, there’s a few key News & Notes to catch up on:

**Sophomore cornerback Harry Adams has been dismissed from the team due to disciplinary reasons. While the discipline that Head Coach Gene Chizik is adamant about is impressive, this is another hit to Auburn’s defense depth, specifically the cornerback position. If you remember, Adams switched from receiver to cornerback during fall practice to help strengthen our DB unit. I’m not defending Adams by any means, because he was never publicly suspended or benched – whatever he did warranted an immediate dismissal.

**Offensive Line Coach Jeff Grimes is critical of his unit’s play. After a few brain farts in last week’s loss to Kentucky led to some boneheaded penalties, Grimes vented to reporter Evan Woodberry: "Unless there's a noise factor, unless you're on the road, it's just lack of discipline, lack of focus. I think we certainly addressed it. It wasn't the first time, but I certainly hope it's the last." Reportedly, this week’s practices were filled with heavy doses of up-downs.

Besides the penalties, Grimes thinks the line is doing OK: "For the most part, we protected the quarterback well. We did a decent job in the run game. (Kentucky) really sat down with their safeties and came down hard to stop the run. But there were just some little things that we could have done better. I thought we could have played harder than we did and I thought we could have been more physical. I don't know if the nature of the game affected that or not. But there's no reason for us to ever allow the nature of the game to affect how we play it."

**Woodberry also wrote an article explaining that Auburn’s key “impact players” have been less than spectacular. In the interest of objectivity, I’ll agree that linebacker Eltoro Freeman, tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen, and wide receivers Emory Blake and DeAngelo Benton have yet to live up to their billing; however, one could also state that the four (especially Lutzenkirchen, Blake, and Benton) have yet to see significant minutes. Woodberry did tout the success of freshmen Onterio McCalebb and Daren Bates.

War Eagle!

A Loss? Yes. Reason to Panic? No.

2009-10-19T13:43:00.000-07:00

And the crowd is growing restless.

Auburn was handed its second-straight defeat on Saturday, this time at the hands of Kentucky – an opponent that hasn’t beaten the Tigers in its last 15 tries. The cold and windy night on The Plains resulted in a 21-14 loss for the good guys.

Reason to panic? Some fans already have on several message boards. But I’m a little bit more optimistic.

First of all, let’s mention some positives that Auburn had this weekend:

**Ben Tate continues to be an unbelievably special player for the Tigers, and that’s based on statistics, not my opinion: his 132 rushing yards put him alone for fifth-place on the list of all-time career rushers at Auburn. He also scored the lone offensive touchdown on Saturday. He's quickly becoming one of the most underappreciated Tigers in recent memory. Throughout all of the trials and tribulations these last two seasons, Tate has never not been shining star for Auburn.

**Sophomore wide receiver Darvin Adams continued his breakout season, catching three balls for 57 yards (that’s a 19.0 YPC average). Considering our receiving corps has been a weak spot in the last half decade, it’s good to see a player finally step up and be the #1 target.

**Our special teams woes are getting better (bear with me here): Neiko Thorpe became the first Auburn player to recover a blocked kick for a touchdown in over 30 years (Jake Ricks was the one who blocked it). At the very least, we can say that our special teams play is making progress.

**We still managed to land the commitment of four-star offensive line recruit Ed Christian. The Georgia high school standout was on-hand for the game for his official visit. Now, he’s a Tiger.

Now, was Saturday night a good outing for Auburn? Not particularly. Our 315 yards of total offense was an outlier under the new Gus Malzahn spread offense. What happened exactly? The Kentucky defense turned out to be a good-tackling team that scouted us well. Perhaps some misguided play-calling took place (especially in the fourth quarter), but I’m not ready to write off Malzahn’s coaching expertise yet. It seems odd to me that the same coach that orchestrated an offense at Arkansas and turned Darren McFadden into a Heisman contender is being doubted. His offense won’t work in the SEC? Um, it already has. Are we going to have off nights? Yes. This was one of them.

In addition to that, here is some more food for thought:

**Chris Todd played like Chris Todd. We know that when he’s on, he’s on. But we also know that in making him our starting quarterback, he will throw the occasional stink bomb. He’s not consistent (though I would argue he is MORE consistent this year than last) and he isn’t a player who will win games for the Tigers (however, he can definitely lose them). We KNEW that the quarterback position would be a question mark going into the season, so we shouldn’t be surprised that he pulled a Todd. Fact of the matter is, I still think he should be our starting QB this season and feel that he will put together some good games before season’s end.

**The offensive line penalties at the end of the game were alarming. Not just alarming in a sense that we should be fed up with this less-than-stellar o-line, but in a sense that Kentucky has ZERO penalties in the game. They played flawless. We didn’t. Simple as that. The sheer number of penalties (10 for 76 yards) leads me to believe that this was a freak abnormality. This won’t happen every day.

**The defense, albeit quietly, wasn’t that bad. Yes, we allowed quarterback Randall Cobb and running back Derrick Locke to run rampant and pile up over 100 yards rushing apiece, but by our own standards, we did pretty well in holding them to 21 total points. The play in the first three quarters was admirable, especially considering we didn’t know what in the heck kind of offense they would be running after starting quarterback Mike Hartline was injured the previous week.

What can we, as fans, take away from this? Our team isn’t perfect. Our coaches are still tinkering. We’re going to have bad days in what was always supposed to be a rebuilding year. Our recruiting for the future is still electric as ever. We’re 5-2, one game away from becoming bowl eligible.

We’re growing. We’re learning. Stay positive. Believe in Auburn and love it.

War Eagle!

Photo courtesy of Al.com.

Game Day Eve: Searching for Six

2009-10-16T20:15:00.000-07:00

Morning Preview...

Welcome to The Jungle, Kentucky.

Rifling through some late night ESPN, I can't help but notice that the Kentucky fans are going bonkers for Midnight Madness -- the official start of the college basketball season and the dawn of a new era with Coach John Calipari. Problem is, this ain't basketball that Auburn is focused on.

Our Tigers are seeking some redemption this weekend after last Saturday's loss to Arkansas. Hopefully, it happens at Kentucky's expense.

**The hardworking Evan Woodberry has provided us with some dandy pre-game scoops, the first involving sophomore wide receiver Quindarius Carr, who is looking to break into the primary receiving rotation. Says Wide Receivers Coach Trooper Taylor on Carr: "When you make a play in a game, you prove your worth. We talk about building credit. Now he's got a little bit more money in the bank. He can withdraw. Before, he had to put some deposits, and he did that."

I'm hoping that with Kentucky's depleted passing game (quarterback Mike Hartline is injured), that Carr can capitalize and finally cut a check.

**Woodberry has also informed us that with starting cornerback Walt McFadden banged up (he bruised his knee during last week's game), backup corner Demond Washington is prepared to play significant minutes. Washington, a junior college transfer this year, has primarily played the nickel position on third downs. Says Cornerbacks Coach Phillip Lolley: "(Demond)'s really picking the game up quicker than I expected him to pick it up at this level -- all the adjustments, all the calls. The main thing I've been impressed with him is the mental part of it -- to be able to play three positions in a defense with all the adjustments and calls. That's tough sometimes, especially a first-year guy. He's really, really ahead of where I thought he'd be."

**The Press-Register's Mike Herndon says that in order for Auburn to win, the Tigers D must contain all-purpose wonder Derrick Locke. Auburn Head Coach Gene Chizik knows he's a key to their success: "He brings another element to the table because not only does he have a lot of speed, he's got great balance, he's really hard to tackle one on one, and when he gets some momentum going down the field, we've got issues. So we've got to really shore our kickoff game up and not necessarily always kick straight to him."

Gearing Up...

In hopes that Auburn's finds said redemption, I'm busting out the most reliable jersey in my collection: Roshard Gilyard's #3 (pictured). I'm praying that the mystical power of Roshard can propel this Auburn team to a much-needed win and some momentum prior to a tough back-to-back stretch against LSU and Ole Miss.

This specific Auburn jersey has unofficially seen its share of Iron Bowl wins.

I started keeping stats for my much-heralded Auburn football jersey collection this season. Through six games, here is the pertinent info:

Brandon Cox (White #12) - 1-0
Jason Campbell (Navy #17) - 1-0
Karlos Dansby (Navy #11) - 1-0
Ronnie Brown (White #23) - 1-0
Rudi Johnson (Navy #32) - 1-0
Dontarrious Thomas (Navy #54) - 0-1

War Eagle!

Recruiting Update: Offense & Special Teams

2009-10-16T08:38:00.000-07:00

To continue my recruiting catch-you-up, here is the second of my two-part update, this one focusing on bolstering the offense and the special teams…

Top offensive line prospect Ed Christian, a Georgia native, will take an official visit this weekend to Auburn University for the Kentucky game. Why is this significant? Christian decommitted from Florida State after taking an unofficial visit to the Auburn-Ball State game. Seems as if Mr. Christian is a Tiger fan.

Should we expect a commitment this weekend? My sources indicate that isn’t likely; however, he’s close to committing to Auburn within the next few weeks. His pledge could be HUGE for the Tigers, especially considering two things: 1) We’re looking to have as few as four senior starters on next year’s o-line, so hog molly recruiting is a priority and 2) There is a pretty outstanding running back in Arkansas’s Michael Dyer who is strongly considering the Tigers and is reportedly ready to commit. Dyer is going to need some blocking.

Auburn’s offensive recruiting has, thus far, been receiver-heavy, but look for the Tigers to add two running backs and more o-linemen before National Signing Day.

Here’s how the offense and special teams commit list looks so far:

Antonio Goodwin – WR – Washington High School (GA)
Shaun Kitchens – WR – Banneker High School (GA)
Jeremy Richardson – WR – Springville High School (AL)
Shon Coleman – OL – Olive Branch High School (MS)
Chad Slade – OL – Moody High School (AL)
Cody Parkey – K – Jupiter High School (FL)
Steven Clark – P – Park Hill High School (MO)

In addition to the 2010 class, Auburn (as is every other program in the country) is gearing up for the 2011 recruiting class. Auburn won’t be taking a quarterback in this year’s class, but expect the Tigers to target some great ones next year.

Actually, they’re getting a head start on the QB race: they’ve offered two quarterbacks already. The first is Jeff Driskel, a super accurate junior from Oviedo, Florida. The second is a much ballyhooed thrower, Kiehl Frazier, from Springdale, Arkansas who is already operating in the Gus Malzahn spread offense. Frazier will be a guest on The Plains this Saturday.

Frazier has been compared to former University of Texas quarterback Vince Young and former University of Nebraska quarterback Tommie Frazier (no relation).

For your Friday enjoyment, here’s a five minute highlight tape on Mr. Frazier:

War Eagle!

Recruiting Update: Defense

2009-10-16T07:22:00.000-07:00

It’s been a while since I’ve done a recruiting update, so for those aren’t 100 percent up on Auburn recruiting, here is a catch-you-up.

The first of my two blog entries today on recruiting will focus on rebuilding the thin Auburn defensive unit.

The most high profile commitment in recent weeks has been Ariton High School (AL) defensive end Craig Sanders. Sanders (pictured), rated as a four-star prospect by Rivals.com, is believed to be a stellar pick-up for the Tigers. The most impressive thing about this commitment is actually the way he did it: he had previously committed to Alabama, but after visiting The Plains for the West Virginia game, decided that Auburn was the place for him. This is the first commitment we’ve stolen from Alabama in a while and certainly the first we’ve taken from them under the Nick Saban regime.

His commitment boosts Auburn’s depth on defense with an impressive 2010 commit list that looks as follows:

Craig Sanders – DE – Ariton High School (AL)
Joel Bonomolo – DE – Fullerton Community College (CA)
Justin Delaine – DE – Linden High School (AL)
LaDarius Owens – DE/LB – Jess Lanier High School (AL)
Kenneth Carter – DT – Greenville High School (AL)
Jessel Curry – LB – Buford High School (GA)
Jake Holland – LB – Pelham High School (AL)
Jawara White – LB – Henderson High School (AL)
D.J. Howard – DB – Lincoln High School (AL)
Demetruce McNeal – DB – Banneker High School (GA)
Jonathan Mincy – DB – Southwest Dekalb High School (GA)

War Eagle!

Photo courtesy of The Birmingham News.

Key Players - The Special Teams

2009-10-15T11:14:00.000-07:00

Key Jersey Numbers - The Defense

2009-10-15T10:59:00.000-07:00

#4 – Zac Etheridge – S – Jr.
#6 – Walt McFadden – CB – Sr.
#8 – Harry Adams – CB – So.
#11 – Mike Slade – S – So.
#14 – Demond Washington – CB – Jr.
#15 – Neiko Thorpe – CB – So.
#17 – Josh Bynes – LB – Jr.
#20 – Drew Cole – S – So.
#21 – Eltoro Freeman – LB – So.
#22 – T’Sharvan Bell – S – RFr.
#24 – D’Antoine Hood – CB/S – So.
#25 – Daren Bates – S – Fr.
#31 – Adam Herring – LB – So.
#35 – Jonathan Evans – LB – Fr.
#36 – Wade Christopher – LB – So.
#45 – Antoine Carter – DE – Jr.
#46 – Craig Stevens – LB – Jr.
#49 – Michael Goggans – DE – Jr.
#51 – Watson Downs – LB – RFr.
#52 – Antonio Coleman – DE – Sr. (pictured)
#90 – Nick Fairley – DT – So.
#91 – Jake Ricks – DT – Sr.
#93 – Mike Blanc – DT – Jr.
#95 – Dee Ford – DE – Fr.
#96 – Chris Humphries – DE – RFr.
#97 – Derrick Lykes – DT/ST – RFr.
#98 – Zach Clayton – DT/DE – Jr.

(Inactive/Injured List)
#2 – Aairon Savage – CB – Sr.
#26 – Mike McNeil – S – Jr.
#39 – Spencer Pybus – LB – So.
#56 – Harris Gaston – LB – Fr.
#92 – Cameron Henderson – DE – RFr.
#94 – Nosa Eguae – DE – Fr.

**Position Legend: DE = Defensive End, DT = Defensive Tackle, LB = Linebacker, CB = Cornerback, S = Safety

Key Jersey Numbers - The Offense

2009-10-15T10:41:00.000-07:00

With a few roster adjustments, position changes, and number switches, now is the perfect time to update the Key Jersey Numbers list. I cross-referenced every "current" roster and depth chart on the web, added my own notes, and looked through statistical categories to confirm positions.

Each player has at least one position associated with them. If a player plays multiple positions, their primary position is listed first.

Go ahead and print this out in time for the Kentucky game so you can cheer on (or yell at, whatever your preference is) the correct player.

The Auburn Offense

(Active Roster)
#3 – DeAngelo Benton – WR – Fr.
#5 – Tommy Trott – TE – Sr.
#9 – Quindarius Carr – WR – So.
#12 – Chris Todd – QB – Sr.
#13 – Tim Hawthorne – WR – Jr.
#17 – Tyrik Rollison – QB – Fr.
#18 – Kodi Burns – WR/QB – Jr.
#19 – Neil Caudle – QB – Jr.
#23 – Onterio McCalebb – TB/KR – Fr.
#27 – Mario Fannin – FB – Jr.
#30 – John Douglas – FB – So.
#32 – Eric Smith – FB/TB – So.
#43 – Philip Lutzenkirchen – TE – Fr.
#44 – Ben Tate – TB/KR – Sr. (pictured)
#50 – Ryan Pugh – C – Jr.
#53 – Bart Eddins – OG – Jr.
#55 – Vance Smith – OT – So.
#57 – Bryon Isom – OG – Jr.
#66 – Mike Berry – OG – Jr.
#71 – John Sullen – OG – Fr.
#73 – Lee Ziemba – OT – Jr.
#75 – Andrew McCain – OT – Sr.
#76 – Jorrell Bostrom – OG – Jr.
#79 – Jared Cooper – C/OT – So.
#80 – Emory Blake – WR – Fr.
#81 – Terrell Zachery – WR – Jr.
#82 – Jay Wisner – WR/ST – Jr.
#83 – Gabe McKenzie – TE/DE – Sr.
#85 – Travante Stallworth – WR – Fr.
#86 – John Cubelic – WR – Jr.
#87 – Derek Winter – WR – So.
#89 – Darvin Adams – WR – So.

(Inactive/Injured List)
#14 – Barrett Trotter – QB – RFr.

**Position Legend: QB = Quarterback, TB = Tailback, FB = Fullback or H-Back, WR = Wide Receiver, TE = Tight End, OT = Offensive Tackle, OG = Offensive Guard, C = Center

N&N Following Arkansas

2009-10-15T08:27:00.000-07:00

We’ll call this week a “Regrouping Week.”

Some News & Notes following the Arkansas game and preceding this Saturday night’s game against Kentucky:

**Offensive Coordinator Gus Malzahn, "Auburn’s Mad Scientist" as ESPN has dubbed him, is apparently back in the lab and devising some new schemes for the Auburn offense, primarily in search of more receiving options past Terrell Zachery and Darvin Adams, who have combined for 40 of Auburn’s 48 catches by wide receivers. Says Malzahn: "In (Kentucky's) scouting report those are the two guys they say, 'Hey, we really need to be aware of where they are.' In a perfect world, we want a lot of options, and I think our options will grow in the second half of the season."

One of those receiving options could be Philip Pierre-Louis. Wide Receivers Coach Trooper Taylor has inserted the redshirt freshman (pictured) into the receiving rotation during this week’s practice sessions. PPL has established himself this season as Auburn’s most serviceable punt returner after serving a four-game suspension.

Taylor has been impressed with PPL’s newfound dedication: "We put a lot of pressure on him. And I'm going to tell you, nobody put more pressure on him than Coach (Gene) Chizik. He had a lot of things that he had to do off the football field before he even had a chance to touch it. The sad thing is people think that he came back just because of the punt return deal. But that just coincided with the time that coach Chizik allowed him to come back. It had nothing to do with, 'We better have a punt returner. We better put him back there.

"He had a chance to practice and compete for it that week and he just did the best job. It just worked out that way. He learned a valuable lesson. He's done a good job in my meeting room talking to the guys about decision-making and things like that. That's been really big for him."

**Linebacker Eltoro Freeman has returned to the team after missing the trip to Fayetteville last week due to “personal reasons.” Coach Chizik didn’t divulge whether or not he’d play against Kentucky during this week’s SEC teleconference.

Freeman, from the sounds of things, needs to relax. Montgomery Advisor writer Jay Tate wrote in his stock column on his blog that “Teammates say Freeman tries to be too perfect on the field, which apparently is a problem.” Maybe he needs to chill, but it won't be me telling The Bull he needs to find inner peace. I might get the horns.

**Offensive lineman Aubrey Phillips has left Auburn University and has returned home to Olive Branch, Mississippi. Phillips signed with Florida State University this past spring, left after citing improper treatment from the coaching staff, and enrolled in Auburn only to practice twice before being sidelined by heart problems.

**According to Offensive Line coach Jeff Grimes, backup center Bart Eddins and backup guard Jared Cooper have swapped positions. Cooper will not follow starting center Ryan Pugh on the depth chart.

I'm working on getting some updated key player lists posted, as well as some up-to-date recruiting news. Stay tuned.

War Eagle!

Photo courtesy of Al.com.

Zac Etheridge Goes Ballistic at Halftime

2009-10-13T14:21:00.000-07:00

One positive thing about the Arkansas loss was the showing of leadership that Auburn received from its key players (see my last blog post for what Ben Tate said following the game).

On the latest edition of Auburn Everyday, safety Zac Etheridge went ballistic. Since I can't post the video, I've provided you with the transcript.

Etheridge: "Look at yourself! Everybody, look at yourself! We didn't give it our all... Defense, we've got to give them the ball back. We know they can score fine. Forget about the first half, because it's gone. Now what are we here for?"

Team: "CHAMPIONSHIP!"

Etheridge: "For what?"

Team: "CHAMPIONSHIP!"

Etheridge: "Alright, let's go out there and play some football!"

War Eagle!

Weaknesses Exposed in Loss to Arkansas

2009-10-11T10:20:00.000-07:00

In retrospect, we should have had Chris Todd (pictured) drill one of the Arkansas cheerleaders with the football. Why, you ask? Because that’s about the only thing that didn’t happen during yesterday’s disastrous 44-23 loss in Fayetteville.

Auburn’s dream season took a blind-side hit from reality yesterday when a faulty first half and a game filled with fumbles on offense and utter chaos on defense led to an easy win for Arkansas.

Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett threw for 274 yards and two touchdowns on 24-37 passing, while running back Michael Smith carried the ball 18 times for 145 yards rushing and one touchdown. Were they that good or were we that bad? Either way, Auburn got undeniably slaughtered in its first game as a ranked-team in over a year.

Auburn lost three fumbles. We missed tackles. We amassed penalty yards. On the surface, it seems like 2008 revisited.

If you step back and look at what we accomplished (mostly in the second half), Chris Todd didn’t necessarily look like the Todd of ’08. He threw for 133 yards on 15-28 passing. Not especially stellar, but certainly serviceable. Furthermore, senior running back Ben Tate put up a career-high 184 rushing yards on 22 carries. Now, The Jungle Cat doesn’t award game balls in a loss, but if there had been one to give, Tate would be the recipient. But it wouldn’t just be for his in-game performance, rather his post-game speech in the locker room.

Said fellow running back Onterio McCalebb: "Ben stood up and said we're still a team, a family. Don't put your head down. We have to come out next week and bounce back."

We definitely didn’t have any semblance of leadership last season. If Tate’s last name were Tebow, that quote would be engraved on a marble column and placed directly in front of Pat Sullivan’s and Bo Jackson’s Heismans.

That said, I’m not going to present yesterday’s loss as if everything is sunshine and Wonka bars in Auburn:

**Our defense is atrocious. Defensive Coordinator Ted Roof operates a prevent defense, similar to one Tennessee ran up until last year that drove my friend Travis (a Vols fan) bonkers. Where is the Gene Chizik swarm defense from when Chizik was the DC in 2004? We need to bring that back – blitzing at will and racking up sack totals. Quarterbacks used to fear us. Of course, that’s when we had the likes of McClover, Groves, Gunn, and Browder creating havoc. We don’t have those athletes and we don’t have that depth. A swarm defense is a luxury, thanks to a deep roster. We don’t have it right now, so we’re stuck playing a conservative defense.

**The offensive line isn’t protecting Chris Todd, nor are they acting with any intelligence. The offside penalties are getting out of control. It’s bad when our best offensive lineman (Byron Isom) is coming off a two-game suspension. It’s also bad when our all-SEC tackle (Lee Ziemba) is the second most overrated player on the team. He’ll lead the squad in penalty yardage when this season is over.

**Mario “Fumbles” Fannin is, without a shadow of a doubt, the most overrated player on the team. Why can’t he catch or hold on to the ball? I’m not sure, but he’s been a personal source of frustration since his forgettable debut two years ago in a loss to South Florida. Fannin might be a good guy and a great teammate, but I don’t understand what he does to warrant more playing time and more touches. He must be a phenomenal practice player.

This season isn’t over by a long shot; however, we can’t just “learn” from the loss. We have to deal with adversity, but also strengthen our weaknesses. Better tackling, better ball protection, and smarter offensive line play will lead to Auburn becoming a better team.

I still believe in this coaching staff and in this team as a whole. 2009 has already been a season of progress and it can still be a season of value and success.

War Eagle!

Photo courtesy of Al.com.

Game Day: Gearing Up

2009-10-10T07:35:00.000-07:00

I didn't post a Gearing Up entry last weekend, but it should be noted that the blue Jason Campbell #17 jersey collected the win.

Today, I'm going with a blue Dontarrious Thomas #54 jersey. I won't be able to catch the game live due to work obligations, but I'll have a chance to listen to the first half of the game on ESPN Radio.

The game airs at 11 am CST on ESPN. Hopefully, you all are awake enough to cheer on the Tigers. It already looks as if we will have to prove some doubters wrong: ESPN's Todd McShay (who, by the way, couldn't hold Mel Kiper's jock) picked Arkansas for an easy win.

Let's show the world he's an idiot.

War Eagle!

Game Day: Morning Preview

2009-10-10T06:28:00.000-07:00

The Tigers are on the prowl in Arkansas.

For your morning preview (admit it, you missed this last week), we've got a few good stories to get you revved up for this afternoon's game against the Razorbacks.

Yes, we're facing a former Offensive Coordinator (Bobby Petrino) and they have a very capabale quarterback (Ryan Mallett), but I choose to focus primarily on our Tigers today. Can they go 6-0? A lot will depend on Auburn's defense, led by Defensive Coordinator Ted Roof (pictured).

**Ray Melick of The Birmingham News asks if anyone will play defense today. He makes a great point as he writes: "Auburn comes into today's game against Arkansas ranked ninth in the Southeastern Conference and 53rd in the nation in total defense. Arkansas is worse, ranked 12th among SEC teams and 97th in the latest NCAA stats. The 'over-under' -- meaning the total number of points the oddsmakers believe these two teams will combine to score -- is 66.
Pat Dye and Frank Broyles would be rolling over in their graves, if either of them were dead."

**Auburn's defense will be playing with four scholarship linebackers today. As I mentioned in Thursday's entry, Spencer Pybus and Harris Gaston are likely out for the rest of the season, while sophomore Eltoro Freeman did not make the trip, apparently to sort out "issues."

**Offensive guard Byron Isom DID make the trip to Fayetteville yesteday, but it's unknown whether or not he'll play.

**Charles Goldberg of The Birmingham News writes that senior defensive end Antonio Coleman is playing with a hurt wrist (keep an eye out for the brace that he's wearing). Cornerback Walt McFadden is also banged up after going down during the first half of last week's game against Tennessee.

**Defensive Line coach Tracy Rocker, interviewed by Evan Woodberry, hopes to get some of his younger players in the d-line playing rotation today.

**In an effort to increase the folk legend that is true freshman safety Daren Bates, the Auburn PR staff fed him to the beat writers this weekend. Woodberry penned the best story.

**After a trying start to the 2009 season, sophomore running back Eric Smith has excelled this season at the H-back position. Not only has Smith been stellar running the ball, blocking, and making a tackle on special teams, but he's the team's break-in-case-of-emergency if a pass is needed for a key first down. His teammate in the backfield, Ben Tate, speaks highly of him: "He's a team player. He lays it on the line. He's a great blocker. He was knocking those (Tennessee) linebackers all over the place (Saturday) night. Some people don't realize or actually get to see what he does for us. I appreciate him and I let him know it because he did a heck of a job of blocking."

**Lastly, top high school running back target Michael Dyer will be in attendance today for the Auburn-Arkansas game. Dyer is an Arkansas native, but is considered a lean to the Tigers.

War Eagle!

N&N Following Tennessee

2009-10-08T07:14:00.000-07:00

Well Jungle Cat followers, my sincere apologies for the unexpected computer outage. I’m working from a new mini-notebook, which will serve as the backup laptop until my primary one comes back from computer rehab.

There’s a lot to catch up on. Here are some News & Notes following the win against Tennessee:

**The Tigers are now ranked #17 in the Associate Press Poll and #19 in the USA Today (Coaches) Poll.

**Not a lot of people know this, but the traditional Tiger Walk was outlawed by the University of Tennessee last week, due to “safety concerns.” Well, we did it anyway (pictured), so stick that up your you-know-what, Vol brass.

**Following the win against Tennessee, kicker “Cool” Wes Byrum (pictured), thanks in part to his career-high four field goals, was named the Southeastern Conference Special Teams Player of the Week. Running back Onterio McCalebb took home SEC Freshman of the Week honors, after producing 204 all-purpose yards against the Vols.

**Auburn’s already thin linebacker core took a hit: Sophomore linebacker Spencer Pybus (concussion) has likely been shut down for the season. Likewise, freshman Harris Gaston (undisclosed), who played significant backup minutes against Ball State might miss the rest of the season. Pybus has not played in 2009.

**Head Coach Gene Chizik hasn’t budged on the topic of starting offensive guard’s Byron Isom suspension, which has lasted for the last two games. Said Chizik: “If (When) you see him on the field, he’s done everything he needs to do.”

I’m hoping Isom hurries up and makes peace, because he’s our best lineman and Kodi Burns’ lead blocker on goal line plays out of the Wildcat formation. John Sullen and Bart Eddins have started in his absence.

**There is some good news on the injury front: safety Mike McNeil is closing in on a return to game action after breaking his leg during spring practice. Says Safeties Coach Tommy Thigpen: "He's been out there and going through drills and things. We're not going to rush him. He still has a little limp. But man, it's refreshing to see him back and you know he's going to be back 100 percent just watching him. You can tell he's chomping at the bit to get out there."

**According to Coach Thigpen, D’Antoine Hood is now practicing with the cornerbacks, primarily at the nickel position. Hood was moved from cornerback to safety during fall practice.

**In case you missed, redshirt freshman Philip Pierre-Louis (nicknamed “Frenchy” by his teammates and designated as PPL on this website) returned against Tennessee. Presently vying for the starting punt returner slot with true freshman Anthony Gulley, PPL switched jersey numbers from #82 to #42. Fellow receiver Jay Wisner—a regular in the playing rotation—already dresses out in the #82. (Side note: I’m currently working on updating the key players list with new jersey numbers).

War Eagle!

Photo courtesy of The Associated Press.

No Jungle Catting This Weekend...

2009-10-02T12:51:00.000-07:00

My laptop is having a new hard drive put in by trained professionals. Until then, there won't be any new Jungle Cat posts.

As far as this weekend's game goes, I'll be watching a DVR'd version late Saturday night. While I'm at the glorious Concord Speedway scouting a Late Model race, I'll be donning a blue #17 Jason Campbell jersey. I'll also keep track of the game on my phone.

I'll be back as soon as my regular computer comes back to life...

War Eagle!

A Rocky Solid Defense

2009-09-27T14:38:00.000-07:00

Our defense has playmakers. We get takeaways. The West Virginia game was a testament to a talented first eleven.

But how on Earth did this Auburn defense allow Ball State to score 30 points?

The offense and the special teams unit didn’t do the defense any favors (17 Ball State points came off of turnovers) and the second and third units for the Auburn D were in during the fourth quarter that saw Ball State score 13 points.

WE LACK DEPTH; however, that’s an issue that’s well known. Defensive Coordinator Ted Roof commented on this after the game: "I think when we emptied our bench, it showed. We have to develop more depth. The first group played pretty well with the exception of the first drive of the third quarter. I was disappointed in that. The first half, I thought we played really well. I thought we were much better on third down. We got another defensive score so there are a lot of positives."

The score came when linebacker Josh Bynes recorded a safety in the second quarter. Daren Bates had seven tackles, while Bynes, Neiko Thorpe, and Craig Stevens had six apiece.

As a team, Auburn only allowed 260 yards of total offense. But that 30 points is an area of concern and may have kept the Tigers out of this week’s Top 25. As thin as Auburn’s defense is, the Tigers won’t necessarily be able to outlast SEC teams in potential shootouts later this year.Some things to take note of:

**Cornerback Walt McFadden recorded his third pass interference penalty of the season. He typically leans in on receivers on pass-plays, which constitutes as interference, but this time he actually interfered.

**Walk-on linebacker Watson Downs was penalized for a late hit in the second half which caused Head Coach Gene Chizik to personally scold him on the sidelines. Suffice to say, Downs might not be awarded a scholarship any time soon.

**Coach Chizik commented the defense and the improvement needed before next week’s game against Tennessee: "I think we have to get a lot of things cleaned up. It is a very young team and it is a very thin team. That's a good football team (Tennessee) we are going to play. That is going to be the beginning of a tough month, and we are going to have to play lights out to beat them. We will have to play heads and tails above of where we were tonight if we have a chance to beat Tennessee next week."

There's a lot to like about this Auburn Tigers team, but I'm not yet ready to proclaim us contenders for the SEC West crown. If our defense improves over the course of the next two weeks, then we're one step closer to a trip to Atlanta.

War Eagle!

Photo courtesy of Al.com.

Sloppy Win, but Auburn is 4-0

2009-09-27T13:19:00.000-07:00

Auburn, led by quarterback Chris Todd (pictured), was potent Saturday night on offense; however, the defense and special teams showed some rust on the armor. Regardless, Auburn came away with a 54-30 win against Ball State, moving to 4-0 on the 2009 season.

Yes, I have a few questions for the Tigers, but first, let’s reflect on the positives with some Jungle Cat game balls:

**Todd tied a school-record with five touchdown passes and put up a career-high 287 yards on 19 of 26 passing. Of all the beating that the Tigers took last season, Todd was at the epicenter of it all. I’ve been impressed with how the senior has embraced the new offense this year and has stepped up in a big way.

**Wide receivers Darvin Adams and Terrell Zachery continued their torrid receiving pace. Adams had five catches for 73 yards and a touchdown (his fifth of 2009) and Zachery had five catches for 122 yards and two touchdowns.

**Freshman safety Daren Bates is blossoming into a head-hunter. Two ferocious hits made the ESPN highlight reels, but Bates was all over the field Saturday night, leading the team with seven tackles and a half-sack.

**Backup quarterback Neil Caudle’s first downfield look was atrocious—a telegraphed pass to Travante Stallworth that was intercepted by Ball State. Now, I’m not a fan (and neither is my dad) of telegraphed passes, but the fact that Caudle came back on to the field, managed the offense like a veteran, and even showed off an impressive set of wheels on his 52-yard scamper for a touchdown in the fourth quarter was game ball-worthy. Overcoming adversity is a big part of life, much less sports, and Caudle managed to do it in one night.

**Freshman offensive guard John Sullen made his first career start in place of the suspended Byron Isom. Just a year ago, Sullen was starting for Auburn High School. He credited o-line vets Andrew McCain and Ryan Pugh for helping him in his first start: "The first quarter went smoother than I expected. I had Pugh and McCain there the whole step of the way. I had to step up. I played pretty solid. There's a few things here and there I can get better on."

Now, the negatives (and yes, even in a win, there were some):

**One of our focuses prior to this game was keeping our first team healthy. This strategy turned out to be a big fat fail when, first, quarterback/wide receiver Kodi Burns injured his quadriceps early in the first quarter. Additionally, running back Onterio McCalebb hurt his ankle in the second quarter after a botch fake punt (more on this later). McCalebb did manage to put up 83 yards and one touchdown on eight carries, all in the first half.

Both expect to return for next week’s game against Tennessee.

**Freshman Anthony Gulley switched jersey numbers from #24 to #84. Perhaps this wasn’t a good idea as Gulley fumbled two punts. Eventually, the Tigers put Quindarius Carr deep as the punt returner, but not before going through Mario Fannin, Ben Tate, and Harry Adams on the kick return team. Already a major concern for the Tigers going into this game, this is a problem that will need to be addressed moving forward into the bulk of the conference schedule.

**On a fourth-and-10 play in the second quarter, Auburn elected to run a fake punt that ultimately injured Onterio McCalebb. Now, if our coaching staff called for the fake just to do it, then that’s ok. I fear though that we called the fake because we were worried about the consistency of our punt team (also a major concern). Punter Clinton Durst has not been a beacon of consistent play, nor has kick-off man Morgan Hull, who again placed a kick-off out-of-bounds.

**Auburn got slaughtered on time of possession—the first time this season that’s happened. Ball State won that battle, 35:56 to 24:04. Said Offensive Coordinator Gus Malzahn: "We could have done a better job of keeping our defense off the field. Time of possession was pretty lopsided."

Stay tuned, because later this evening, I’ll break down our defensive play. I had too many thoughts on what could be described as both a “Rocky Solid” defensive unit.

Since I don’t want to seem 100% negative, let’s just remember that we just had a perfect month of September and are 4-0 heading into our second major test of the season in Knoxville, Tennessee next weekend.

War Eagle!

Photo courtesy of Al.com.

Game Day: Gearing Up

2009-09-26T10:17:00.000-07:00

In case you were wondering, tonight's game is televisied on FOX Sports South. I found myself asking the same question earlier this week. Thankfully for me, DirecTV carries that channel.

Tonight, I'll be watching from my home in Cornelius, North Carolina. Originally, I had planned to DVR the game while doing some scouting work for my day job; however, inclement weather has postponed the race until tomorrow afternoon. Proof positive that God wants me to watch Auburn.

I'm breaking out the Brandon Cox white #12 jersey for tonight. This actually was the first Under Armour-made jersey I ever purchased and the way it's made, it's worth every bit of its $60 price tag. Here's hoping it can get its first win this evening.

War Eagle!

Game Day: Morning Preview

2009-09-26T07:10:00.000-07:00

Welcome to The Jungle, Ball State...

And Auburn fans, get ready for some more rain. I doubt it will be the monsoon you guys experienced last weekend, but, yeah... grab an umbrella.

It's been pretty obvious that Auburn has become a heavy favorite against David Letterman University tonight (for what's it worth, I'm a Jay Leno fan), but it's up to the Tigers to live up to the "heavy favorite" billing.

**Auburn is a 32-point favorite tonight and, writes Charles Goldberg, is 72 points away from exceeding the point total for the entire 2008 season. The last time the Tigers played Ball State, we scored on EVERY possession in a 63-3 romping in 2005. Don't get crazy though -- Head Coach Gene Chizik isn't taking this Ball State team for granted saying, "I think our football team is smart enough to understand that we’re not good enough to do that with anybody"

**Goldberg also talked about the Auburn defensive line and how Defensive Line Coach (and Auburn legend) Tracy Rocker is emphasizing speed to rattle opponents and collect turnovers.

**Jay Tate of The Montgomery Advisor writes about how true freshman kick returner Anthony Gulley is still in awe over going from class 1A high school football last year to starting for Auburn this year. Says Gulley, "I never thought in a million years... to go from Class 1A football to playing at an SEC school starting. It's a dream come true."

Coach Chizik provided a nice quote to put it into perspective: "We've all seen the 5A all-star come in who can't play for three years -- and then we see the 2A, pretty good guy come in and play for four years. It all just depends on the guy. Anthony is a tough kid. That's one thing I love about him -- and he's got a lot of courage. And he wants to be really good. I think that combination will allow him to have a good career here."

**The Ball State Cardinals were 12-0 in 2008 before falling to Buffalo in the MAC title game and losing to Tulsa (led by then-Offensive Coordinator and current Auburn mastermind Gus Malzahn) in the GMAC Bowl. Running back MiQuale Lewis led the conference in rushing. And still, Lewis and his Cardinal teammates are figuring out how they're currently 0-3.

War Eagle!

Photo Courtesy of The Huntsville Times.

Rod Smith Needs Our Help

2009-09-25T07:12:00.000-07:00

An article in the Gwinnett Daily Post was brought to my attention yesterday and the content was startling: former Auburn wide receiver Rod Smith came home from San Diego Chargers training camp (after being cut) to find his family's house burned down when a lightning bolt struck it.

The entire house is gone.

Smith (pictured) says he's thankful that everyone (his parents, two younger brothers, his cousin, and his dog) were unharmed. His family is now without a home, bunking temporarily with Smith's uncle.

"We had so much in that house, all my memories," said Smith. "My football memories from high school and college. All my plaques and trophies. My jerseys. I watched it all burn down to the ground. That's what I'm going to miss the most. But as long as my family made it out, that was the big thing."

The Snellville, Georgia native walked on to Auburn in 2005, was awarded a scholarship in '06, and was the team's leading receiver in '07 and '08. He was attempting to make the Chargers as an undrafted free agent this season.

Anyone wishing to help Smith with their hardship, can email him at smitrod@auburn.edu. He's been pretty good about responding, so if you're willing to help, give him a shout.

War Eagle!

Get Yourself Some Trooper Towels

2009-09-24T12:53:00.000-07:00

First introduced at Auburn’s second game of the season (against Mississippi State), an army of white "Trooper Towels" took to the stands and filled the big screen at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

The towel—an homage to Wide Receivers Coach Trooper Taylor—sells for $5 online at troopertowels.com and is the brainchild of three Auburn seniors—Daniel Dreher and Hunter Harris of Birmingham and Rob Silverii of Nashville.

Are the famed Auburn shakers (no I don’t use one) in trouble?

“It’s not our goal to take away from the shakers,” says Dreher. “It’s just something that we want to make and as long as people will want them, we’ll make them.”

The idea came after watching the sideline antics of Taylor, whose visible enthusiasm has already made him a favorite amongst the Auburn faithful.

“We were sitting in the stadium at the game against Louisiana Tech and I said, ‘Next game, I’m bringing a towel to the stadium and waving it like Trooper Taylor,’” states Dreher. The idea, a collaboration of all three individuals, morphed into the Trooper Towel, much to Coach Taylor’s liking.

“He loves them,” continued Dreher. “We talked to him before we printed them and he thought it was a good idea. He called the other day asking for some for his family. He’s really having fun with it.”

For Taylor, it’s not only a way to gain some notoriety on campus, but some of the proceeds will help raise some money for a charity of his choice, according to Dreher.

Starting with one idea and growing into a showing of entrepreneurial spirit, the Trooper Towel has quickly become a fan symbol for the 2009 football season or, at the very least, a sign of the collective man-crush Tiger fans have for Taylor.

War Eagle!

N&N Following West Virginia

2009-09-24T08:16:00.000-07:00

Some News & Notes (N&N) following last Saturday’s barnburner against West Virginia…

**The Tigers are moving Gabe McKenzie to the defensive end position. McKenzie came to The Plains as a TE/DE combo, settle in as a tight end, switched to defensive end last season, was moved back to tight end during spring practice, and is now back to defensive end. It makes sense, seeing as how he hasn’t played yet in 2009 and, thanks to the emergence of true freshman Philip Lutzenkirchen at the backup tight end spot and the Mario Fannin-Eric Smith combination at the H-Back position, a switch was almost a foregone conclusion.

Head Coach Gene Chizik on the move: “We’ll see if he can help us on third-down situations. He could help build up depth.”

**Speaking of defensive end depth, junior defensive end Antoine Carter is now practicing with the team after suffering a knee injury in during fall practice. He could see a tiny bit of playing time this Saturday against Ball State. Also returning from injury is sophomore Spencer Pybus who played in all 12 games last season. Pybus suffered a concussion earlier this year.

**Wide Receivers Coach/Assistant Head Coach/Team Hype Man Trooper Taylor also coaches the punt returners and has apparently found his man: true freshman Anthony Gulley, who returned two punts for 24 yards last Saturday against West Virginia. Says Taylor: “I didn’t want to start a freshman, but when he got the opportunity, he made plays.”

**Thanks to his 11 tackles and returned interception for a game-clinching touchdown, linebacker Craig Stevens was named SEC Player of the Week.

**Redshirts might be looming for the likes of defensive end Nosa Eguae, quarterback Tyrik Rollison, and offensive tackle Aubrey Phillips among others. According to AuburnSports.com, eight true freshmen have yet to take the field for the Tigers. Interestingly enough wide receiver Emory Blake did play in the season-opener against Louisiana Tech (remember that dropped pass?), but can only receive a redshirt now if he suffers a season-ending injury. If he comes up with turf toe or something soon, don’t be surprised (or alarmed).

War Eagle!

Late Night Recruiting Pays Dividends

2009-09-21T13:21:00.000-07:00

What a difference some wet fans can make!

Saturday night at Auburn was crucial, not just for the on-field Tigers and the 2009 season, but for 2010 and beyond with an estimated 125 high school players in attendance.

The game was unbelievable. The atmosphere was electric. But our fans? Possibly the loudest salesmen in recruiting history.

"I was really excited," said Lousiana wide receiver prospect Trovon Reed, rated a four-star prospect on Rivals100.com. "To see fans stay out in the rain when people told them to leave and they still stayed cheering, I've never seen anything like that in my life."

Arkansas tight end Dakota Mosley echoed the sentiment: "The biggest thing was the fans standing there after that huge downpour. That was real impressive to me. I thought the atmosphere was great. After the huge downpour and the stadium fills up and the student section, they never went anywhere the whole time. Really, the atmosphere was great."

Reed was one of several top targets that has yet to commit anywhere. A multitude of current Tiger commits were in attendance, but one player received a large chunk of attention: Mosley's teammate, running back Michael Dyer.

Dyer (pictured) and his Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim hat were shown on ESPN2's telecast of the game, looking utterly dejected after a West Virginia score. On Sunday morning, Dyer met with Head Coach Gene Chizik and quickly scheduled a press conference for his college choice announcement for two weeks from now. Is it possible that Dyer, rated by ESPN as the top running back in the country, silently committed on Sunday?

It's rumored that Mosley is already a silent commit to Auburn and is awaiting Dyer's announcement to make his. If there's any doubt, Dyer is already sounding like a Tiger.

In discussing senior running back Ben Tate, Dyer was quoted by AuburnSports.com as saying, "It's going to be hard to fill his shoes but I'm going to try my best."

Sounds like an Auburn Tiger to me.

Dyer was also pleasantly surprised by our fans, stating, "It was amazing. The fans are probably the best fans I've seen in my life," Dyer said. "To stay out there in the rain--a 30-minute delay and they were still out there cheering. That was pretty exciting.They kept cheering and we kept playing. It was a real good game. We came back and won."

For the record, that was "WE came back and won."

Be sure to visit AuburnSports.com for more up-to-date news on Auburn football recruiting.

Photo courtesy of FOX16.com.

The Barnburner at Jordan-Hare

2009-09-21T07:21:00.000-07:00

I apologize for the day's delay in my post-game recap. Saturday night was a lot to take in, but I just wanted to get everything digested...

WOW! That was definitely the best game I've seen since Auburn-Florida 2007. It's too bad that Washington's upset of USC stole air time from the Barnburner at Jordan-Hare. Auburn's come-from-behind 41-30 victory was one for the ages and almost certainly a lock to become DVD sold by the AU Network.

The fans at the game were insane, sticking through a massive rain storm. This payed huge dividends in the form of impressiving the 125 high school players on campus to watch the game (I'll post more about this later today).

Some game balls for the evening...

**The entire Auburn defense. After watching WVU running back Noel Devine take them to the woodshed in the first half and enduring through a quarterback who spun more times in the backfield than Johnny Depp did in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, our thin defense made some big plays. Individual standouts including Craig Stevens (the interception and runback for a TD), Jake Ricks (pictured) and Mike Blanc (both d-tackles were creating havoc on WVU's o-line), Neiko Thorpe (our most reliable tackler by FAR), Walt McFadden (who officials seem to despise), and Daren Bates (who was extremely physical) were all great. Who figured in a 41-30 contest, I'd be praising our defense. Did they miss tackles? Yes. Were they overmatched? Yes. But don't get it twisted: those big plays took a lot of heart. I'm proud of the way our D played. We won't see an offense like that for the rest of the season.

**Wide receiver Darvin Adams entered stud territory with six catches for 80 yards and 3 touchdowns. Serious, how ridiculous has Darvin been for us this season? Trovon Reed, one of the top high school wide receivers in the country and a friend of Darvin's said it best to AuburnSports.com: "(Adams) always told me, 'I'm going to do this. I'm going to do that.' I thought he was just talking but he showed me that he really could do it. He's a guy I could learn from." It should also be noted that Darvin was selected by the coaching staff to be the player host to top offensive line prospect Eric Mack. Darvin might need two game balls this week, one for being a leader ON the field and another for being a leader OFF of it.

**I'm growing to like quarterback Chris Todd, epecially after his career-high performance Saturday night. Todd went 16 of 31 for 4 touchdowns and 284 yards. Granted his completion percentage isn't as high as he would probably like it to be, Todd has been an admirable QB for the Tigers in these first three games.

**Wide Receivers Coach Trooper Taylor gets one just for being Trooper Taylor. I love him. He'll get one every game he's on the coaching staff.

**Backup running back Eric Smith has already been through adversity this season with his arrest two weeks before the season opener, so any in-game adveristy was small stuff for the locker room favorite. He bailed us out twice on third down and caught a total of three balls for 67 yards. Is it ironic that our jailbird is now known for bailing us out? (I'm just kidding, Eric. You're the man.)

With that, there were several thoughts I had while I watched this thriller of a contest...

**The ESPN announce crew we had was terrible. Just awful. Mark Jones and Bob Davie butchered Onterio McCalebb's name (Jones referred to him as Calib on every carry), kept harping on the fact that WVU QB Jarrett Brown WAITED FOUR YEARS FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY (we got the main plot of this story fairly early in the telecast), and Davie said that Auburn fans should praise the job former Offensive Coordinator Tony Franklin did installing the spread offense last year and what it means to the team this year (...brace yourselves, I'm about to rant...)

ARE YOU KIDDING ME? He didn't do ANYTHING to help us. He pissed off players, fans, and coaches, leading to a systematic destruction of our team and coaching staff. He was fired midway through the season and caused our head coach of a decade to be fired. He caused carnage! The whole time he was our coordinator, he sold our playbook to high school teams, so theoretically, everyone could have purchased our playbook. His hiring was the single worst decision of Tommy Tuberville's coaching tenure and he paid dearly for it. Gene Chizik and Gus Malzahn had to start FROM SCRATCH to put this team together. That's what makes everything we've done this season so amazing. So yeah, Bob Davie, we have a lot of reasons to thank Tony Franklin. I suppose lousy coaches support lousy coaches.

I'm off the soapbox.

**When Mario Fannin dropped an easy pass in the first half, I almost thought he would make a serious run at Lee Ziemba's "Player that Frustrates Me the Most" title. And then Ziemba lined up offsides, nearly causing me to whip a remote at the television. I think at this point Ziemba should wear a boxing-style championship belt over his shoulder when he takes the field. The belt would say "Player that Frustrates David Smith the Most" and it would have Tre Smith's face on it.

**Wide receiver Terrell Zachery took a punch in the face from WVU cornerback Brandon Hogan in the third quarter. No call. The ESPN booth said it was a good no-call. I'm pretty sure a punch in the face warrants an automatic ejection. I would say it was a stupid no-call.

**WVU's Noel Devine was excellent. He's a heck of a player. That's all that needs to be said.

**Linebackers Craig Stevens and Josh Bynes were workhorses on defense, combining for 23 tackles. As I've said before, our defense is thin, but we play hard.

**Be sure to read Tommy Hicks' column in The Mobile Press-Register. It's a fantastic representation of Saturday night's game.

**I was so happy with our fans who stuck through an hour rain delay, a deluge, and a thunderstorm. It was definitely loud and never not crazy. It came off well on television and I still contend that we have the best fans in the country.

**And finally, the Karlos Dansby #11 jersey picked up its first win, now with a 1-0 record. I wore it for some defensive luck. We got it. Something tells me that the next high-octane offense we play will see me back in the Dansby jersey.

War Eagle!

Photo courtesy of AuburnSports.com.

Game Day: Gearing Up

2009-09-19T08:36:00.000-07:00

It's already been an impressive morning for the Tigers, thanks to a large vote of confidence by the College Gameday Live panel. Head Coach Gene Chizik was interviewed by ESPN and mic'd during practice (as soon as a video is released online, I'll post it here).

Tonight, I'll be donning my Karlos Dansby #11 jersey from 2003. I figure we need a little bit of defensive help, so I'm summoning the power of former All-American Dansby--who started for the Arizona Cardinals in the Super Bowl this past January.

If you're watching the game tonight on ESPN2 and are wondering what the song is that plays after every Auburn touchdown before they kick off to West Virginia, it's called "Kernkraft 400" by the band Zombie Nation. The whole crowd chants along with the song. Yes, it's played at practically every sporting event--it's the new "Rock and Roll Part 2." For a remixed Auburn-centric version, here's a cool adaptation by Chantel Tremitiere.

The game comes on ESPN2 tonight at 6:45 pm CST. In the mean time, you have plenty of time to watch Florida-Tennessee at 2:30 CST on CBS before it's time for the Tigers to hit West Virginia quarterback Jarrett Brown square in the mouth.

War Eagle!

Game Day: Morning Preview

2009-09-19T06:09:00.000-07:00

Welcome to The Jungle, West Virginia...

One thing is evident, Auburn is going to need some points tonight. We're facing a West Virginia Mountaineers team that can score in an instant (as we learned from Noel Devine last year), but guess what... SO CAN WE!

Here's some Game Day news, starting with a sour story for the Tigers:

**Senior wide receiver Montez Billings has left school and the team following his NCAA-mandated suspension. Billings, who is an Auburn graduate, is going to pursue other life options. I wish him well, but would have loved to see our top returning receiver from 2008 play in our new offense.

**Special Teams Coordinator Jay Boulware is pissed. Like he said that and everything. In a recent AuburnSports.com article, Boulware spoke out about the atrocious special teams play and the blocked punt against Mississippi State: "I'm pissed. And I've been pissed. And I'll be pissed for a long time. I hadn't had a punt blocked in about six years. And two years with Coach (Gene) Chizik. So I was pissed. I'm still pissed. I'm very concerned... We've got to be consistently good to compete with a West Virginia or whoever in that category. And that's what we're looking to do. That's what we're striving to do. It's my fault... I've got to keep things simple for our kids and make sure that they're able to grasp everything we've got and execute it at a high level. So that's on me. That's not our guys. Our guys are working hard for us and trying to do what we're asking them to do."

**The second half of tonight's game will be crucial for the Tigers. As cornerback Walt McFadden stated, that was the undoing of Auburn in last year's game, "Last year we thought we had them under wraps in the first half. But they came back out and regrouped. (Devine) came back and played a good second half. He started getting into a lot of space and showing his speed off."

Evan Woodberry's pre-game story in The Press Register also had a good quote from Cornerbacks Coach Phillip Lolley regarding the speed of West Virginia's offense: "We've got to pick our game up to a new level this week--speed-wise, the whole bit. They are a football team that not only runs the triple option but they've got play-action everywhere, and play-action in which they run a lot of deep routes, a lot of double-move routes, scissor routes. They're going to run the gambit at you. They've got great speed at every position, so we're going to have to be on the top of our game. This will be the best challenge we've had."

**West Virginia linebacker Reed Williams was quoted on ESPN as saying that the Mountaineers won't be stifled by the high-speed Gus Malzahn offense because they were used to facing the offense led by former Head Coach Rich Rodriguez every day in practice. Good luck with that, Reed.

**Bad news: there is a 50% chance of rain in Auburn tonight. Good news: the Tigers have been practicing in sloppy weather all week.

**Tonight is a crucial recruiting night, with over 130 high school players expecting to be on-hand for the game. One to keep an eye on: Arkansas running back Michael Dyer, who is the top-ranked back according to ESPN.com. There's rumblings on the Auburn campus that he may commit after visiting through Sunday. Keep your fingers crossed!

I told my dad after last week's thumping of Mississippi State, that this week had the potential to be a 63-56 game. When he replied, "Don't get cocky," I countered, "I didn't say what end of the score we're on."

Our high-octane offense and shallow, but talented defense will be tested this evening. If you're headed out to Jordan-Hare Stadium, be LOUD and proud and get behind this exciting Tiger team.

War Eagle!

Photo courtesy of Al.com.

N&N Following Mississippi State

2009-09-16T12:22:00.000-07:00

Some News & Notes following last Saturday’s game against Mississippi State which turned out to be the first conference win for the Gene Chizik regime…

**Coach Chizik said in a press conference that the Tigers’ goal line tendency to go to the Wildcat formation with quarterback Kodi Burns was really just limited to the Mississippi State game (which worked, since Burns rushed for three touchdowns). Expect more goal line looks as the season progresses.

**I had to text my cousin Jason this question because I wasn’t 100% sure until I made out the name on the back of the jersey, but the new #14 at Auburn is defensive back Demond Washington. Originally, a double-numbered #32 on defense, Washington switched numbers prior to the MSU game to avoid any confusion with the returning Eric Smith (also #32, but on offense). Injured quarterback Barrett Trotter shares the #14 with Washington. (By the way, Demond is pronounced Duh-Mawnd—I probably butchered this ten times last weekend and from the sounds of fellow Tiger fans, I wasn’t the only one).

**Walk-on wide receiver Jay Wisner received some P.T. Saturday at the slot receiver position, even catching a pass in the second half. Freshmen DeAngelo Benton and Travante Stallworth also played in the offense’s second unit.

**I asked it aloud in one of yesterday’s blog entries, but Auburn has apparently found a temporary replacement for Tommy Trott at the tight end position: freshman Philip Lutzenkirchen, this according to Evan Woodberry in his recent notebook column for The Press-Register.

**Sophomore linebacker Spencer Pybus has yet to be cleared to play after suffering a concussion earlier this season. While Pybus frustrated me to no end last season, missing tackles and blowing coverage, I’m keeping my thoughts on his own personal safety. Depending on who you ask in Auburn this is either the third or fourth concussion he’s had since his high school playing days began.

**There’s no real injury update on junior safety Mike McNeil, who suffered a broken leg during spring practice, but several people have told me he is now walking without the aid of a boot regularly and stood on the sidelines with the team for the entire MSU game. McNeil’s consistency in run and pass coverage is missed. True freshman Daren Bates has been excellent in pass coverage, but has been out of position a bunch on run coverage the last two games.

**Redshirt freshman defensive end Cameron Henderson will not play this season, according to Coach Chizik due to personal issues. Henderson, who has lived in Chizik’s metaphorical dog house since the beginning of summer, has not dressed out at all this season. It should be noted that wide receiver Philip Pierre-Louis has yet to dress out, although there has been no update on his status.

**Jeff Driskel, one of the high school juniors in the country was in attendance last Saturday. A quarterback out of Oviedo, Florida and often compared to former University of Central Florida star Daunte Culpepper, spoke before and after the game with Offensive Coordinator Gus Malzahn and, according to AuburnSports.com, came away impressed with the new high octane spread offense.

**Speaking of recruiting, this weekend’s offensive onslaught between Auburn and West Virginia is expecting to draw a ton of current Tiger commitments and top targets. As of right now, Auburn will have at least a dozen current commitments, including top-rated wide receivers Jeremy Richardson and Antonio Goodwin and linebackers LaDarius Owens, Jessel Curry, Jawara White, and Jake Holland. Top targets include running back Michael Dyer (the top-ranked back, according to ESPN), defensive line targets Jeffrey Whitaker and Mike Thornton, offensive tackle Eric Mack (a South Carolina commit), linebacker Victor Beasley (a Clemson commit), and standout wide receiver Trovon Reed. This will count as an official visit for Mack and Beasley.

**ESPN2 will carry Saturday night’s game against West Virginia at 6:45 pm CST.

War Eagle!

Searching for a Breakout Tight End?

2009-09-15T10:04:00.000-07:00

Tight end Tommy Trott’s knee injury has now opened the door for a potential breakout year for freshman Philip Lutzenkirchen, who caught a touchdown pass from Kodi Burns on Saturday, or the return of tight end Gabe McKenzie.

This might not be a bad thing.

Trott is a great blocker and a team leader, but he’s not the pass-catching tight end that could excel in the Gus Malzahn spread offense. Big Lutz and Gabe certainly are.

As of right now, it’s unknown how much time Trott will miss.

Trott’s roles, which expand to blocking from the H-Back position, could also be filled by Eric Smith or John Douglas, who are natural running backs. Both played significantly last Saturday vs. Mississippi State.

Of the four possible replacements, McKenzie is the only one that hasn’t seen playing time this year, due to an “undisclosed injury” (my quotations indicate that the injury may be a cover) since spring practice.

But don’t fret Trott fans: you can still get your hands on last weekend’s Auburn Football Illustrated with #5 on the cover (pictured).

War Eagle!

Thin Defense is Holding Steady

2009-09-15T09:19:00.000-07:00

Defensive Coordinator Ted Roof is already playing short-handed. While I'm sure he's expected to excel with what has been given to him (and looking at who his direct superior is), no one should really blame Roof is his thin defense doesn't come through this year.

Somehow, his impact guys are still thriving.

Senior defensive end Antonio Coleman was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week, thanks to his three tackle performance last Saturday, which also saw him grab an interception in the second quarter that was returned for a touchdown.

Safety Zac Etheridge led the team in tackles for the second-straight game, with eight solo tackles against Mississippi State. One would note that Etheridge--typically a knee-grabber of a tackler--missed wrapping up on more than one tackle opportunity. Still, he is leading the way for the Tiger defense. Through two games, Etheridge has a total of 12 solo tackles and four assists for 16 total tackles. Linebacker Josh Bynes, with seven solos and nine assists, also has 16. Linebacker Craig Stevens has 15 total tackles.

Along with Coleman, Daren Bates and T'Sharvan Bell have collected interceptions for the Tigers.

War Eagle!

Statement Game

2009-09-13T20:24:00.000-07:00

Onterio McCalebb won’t be able to pull of his shenanigans against an SEC opponent? Our defense is too shallow for SEC play? I’m pretty sure all of those concerns were alleviated Saturday night.

(Pardon my lateness on writing, I traveled back from Auburn today; however, I’ve had time to digest Saturday’s 49-24 romping of Mississippi State.)

Senior running back Ben Tate, who didn’t carry the ball at all during the first quarter, ran for 159 yards and a touchdown and freshman sensation McCalebb ran for 120 yards and a touchdown to bolster Auburn to the victory. While the defense appeared depleted at times and our special teams (especially punt coverage) appeared putrid, the Gus Malzahn-led offense continued to be stellar.

Here’s who I award the Jungle Cat game balls to after pushing our record to 2-0 with an additional 589 total yards of offense:

**Tate and McCalebb are officially the top running backs in the SEC after Saturday’s performance. The two backs have been unbelievable in the new Gus Malzahn spread offense. Both deserve to share the first game ball.

**Kodi Burns (pictured) ran for three touchdowns and threw one to freshman tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen in his second game as Auburn’s quarterback in the Wildcat formation. Burns has been a class-act taking the demotion (starter-to-situational) in stride. He looked unstoppable on Saturday.

**Senior defensive end Antonio Coleman grabbed an interception as a result of a first half third down play in which the Tigers lined up in a Nickel formation. Demond Washington lined up as the nickel, allowing corneback Neiko Thorpe to make the hit on MSU quarterback Chris Relf, causing the interception. Coleman took it to the house for the touchdown.

**Offensive guard Byron Isom might just be our best and cleanest (least penalized) blocker. He paved the way for two of Burns’ rushing touchdowns.

**Wide receiver Darvin Adams had another big game, catching five passes for 116 yards.

Some other observations on the evening…

**Our special teams, besides place-kicker Wes Byrum, is terrible, for a lack of a better word. Special Teams Coordinator Jay Boulware took the blame last night on the Auburn Radio Network post-game call-in show for what he said was an “unorthodox punt formation,” leading to a blocked punt and an MSU touchdown in the first half. The punt returning is awful and possibly shakier than the years when Tre Smith was our returner. Between McCalebb, Washington, and Mario Fannin, we’re lacking in the return department.

**The young Tiger defense was gasping for air late in the second half, allowing MSU to score two touchdowns in the second quarter. Our starters are good and certainly SEC-caliber defenders, but our lack of depth is there. Washington, a cornerback by trade and nickel defender in this game, and linebacker Eltoro Freeman both saw significant playing time. True freshman Dee Ford contributed at the rush end position on third downs.

**Wide Receivers Coach Trooper Taylor is awesome. Seeing him live is an experience in itself—he fires up the crowd, his players, and has coached up our receivers as one cohesive unit. I’m hoping he stays on The Plains for a while.

**Offensive tackle Lee Ziemba was penalized twice—once for an off-sides call and once for a holding call. For an all-SEC tackle, he is game awareness is lacking. He currently holds the title of “Player Who Frustrates Me the Most.” Our entire offensive line is working hard, but we’re lacking star power. Byron Isom has been the workhorse.

**Lastly, the cool stat of the week, according to my cousin Jason: Auburn scored six touchdowns against MSU. The 2008 Tigers scored only seven touchdowns in the eight SEC games we played last year. We should be thanking Gene Chizik for bringing Gus Malzahn to Auburn.

Auburn is now 2-0. My white Ronnie Brown #23 jersey got its first win in the new jersey-scoring era. Next weekend's game against West Virginia is shaping up to be a scoreboard-thriller.

War Eagle!

Photo courtesy of Chris Pow/Al.com.

Game Day: Gearing Up

2009-09-12T06:51:00.000-07:00

I am at The Prettiest Village on The Plains for tonight's game, ready to watch live at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Am I pumped? You bet!

Leading up to our 6 pm CST kick-off, I'll be watching a little bit of College Gameday Live on ESPN and then headed to the campus for some wandering about. I already made a significant jersey purchase yesterday, picking up a navy blue Antonio Coleman #52 at J&M Books. Also, I jumped at buying a print of Stanley McClover standing over Brodie Croyle following a sack in the 2005 Iron Bowl at Auburn Art.

By the way, Auburn Art = a very cool place. Visit their website. I swear this isn't a paid endorsement.

Today, I'll be sporting a white Ronnie Brown #23 from the 2004 season. If there's anything Onterio McCalebb earned after last weekend's performance, it was SEC Freshman of the Week honors and me wearing his number tonight (I know what you're thinking: conceited much? I'm not, I just like pretending to be.)

If you're headed out to The Jungle tonight, be loud and proud! And you might want to consider bundling up a little bit, because rain is on the forecast, at least for this afternoon.

War Eagle!

Game Day: Morning Preview

2009-09-12T06:16:00.000-07:00

Welcome to The Jungle, Mississippi State...

I'm praying that we avenge last year's 3-2 win. Why do I say avenge? Sure, we got the win, but let's be frank: it was embarrassing. It was a laughing stock. I received five or six text messages that said, "Who pitched?" or "Who did you play again? The Marlins?"

Now, we have a new offense. So does Mississippi State. This year, all signs are pointing towards a barnburner.

Here's a few stories to get you revved up this morning:

**Evan Woodberry of The Press Register writes that the two teams are totally different than the ones that played in last's year's debacle. Says Auburn linebacker Craig Stevens, "It feels good because we feel like this year we have more of an offense that can pay for us getting a stop. We feel like if we get a couple three-and-outs, the offense will be able to get the ball and because of their pace, they'll be able to wear down the other defense and make them pay by putting up points on the board."

**Charles Goldberg of The Birmingham News has a story that reviews last season's odd game and allows the famous Josh Bynes quote to resurface: "It was kind of awkward. A win is a win, but we were like 3-2?"

**Mississippi State freshman receiver Brandon Heavens committed to Auburn last year and jumped ship to MSU following the departure of Tommy Tuberville. He'll be one of a few playmakers for the Bulldogs today, along with fellow freshman receiver Chad Bumphis and running back Antonio Dixon.

**Already trolling the campus last night, it's evident that the atmosphere has changed. Head Coach Gene Chizik (pictured above) and this new offense has sparked this team more than anything else in the last decade. Tonight's SEC opener will be a hot ticket and a fun game.

War Eagle!

Photo courtesy of Al.com.

N&N Following Lousiana Tech

2009-09-09T11:25:00.000-07:00

Just so you don’t have to rifle through various newspapers and online news sources, here are some news and notes (N&N) following last weekend’s 37-13 drubbing of Louisiana Tech:

**Don’t pick on Head Coach Gene Chizik’s players. After a phantom defensive pass interference call on cornerback Walt McFadden, Chizik exploded (pictured)—at the referees, not McFadden. Said McFadden, “He had my back. He ran at the referee and that's when I started saying, `Yeah, yeah, referee, referee, take that!'''

**Onterio McCalebb’s 148 rushing yards against Louisiana Tech earned him SEC Freshman of the Week honors.

**Sophomore linebacker Eltoro Freeman was kept out of last Saturday’s game due to a pulled hamstring. Coach Chizik expects him to return this weekend vs. Mississippi State.

**Sophomore running back Eric Smith has returned to the team following his arrest two weeks ago. He has been practicing and will add immediate depth at the H-Back position behind Mario Fannin. This news was well received by his teammates—Smith is a popular person in the Tigers’ locker room.

**Fannin, who led Auburn with eight receptions on Saturday night, didn’t receive a carry in the win. Coach Chizik expects that to change, possibly as soon as this Saturday.

**Tight end Gabe McKenzie is close to returning to the lineup, according to Chizik. McKenzie was kept out of spring practice due to an undisclosed medical problem.

**Offensive Coordinator Guz Malzahn was unhappy with the pace of the offense. Based on comments following the game, Malzahn looks to improve the pace by getting his players to hand the football to the referees more quickly after the conclusion of each play and slowing offensive line penalties.

**Linebacker Adam Herring, who was fresh off of heel surgery, made his first career start Saturday, replacing the injured Eltoro Freeman. Herring said he felt “really comfortable” and received a post-game grade-out session from his father, Dallas Cowboys Assistant Coach Reggie Herring. After missing considerable practice time with the heel injury, all seems back to normal in Herring's life.

War Eagle!

Photo courtesy of The Birmingham News.

Hello L.O.

2009-09-07T07:12:00.000-07:00

As it turns out, Auburn didn't just win on the field this weekend, they won off of it as well.

One of the nation's top outside linebackers, Bessemer, Alabama's LaDarius Owens, committed to the Tigers on Sunday afternoon. Owens is ranked as a four-star prospect by Rivals.com and is a Rivals Top 100 player. He's already been selected to play in the ESPN Under Armour All-Star game in 2010.

Owens was believed to be a silent commit for a little over a month.

Owens commented about the commitment to AuburnUndercover.com: "I'm going home. I'm going to Auburn. Honestly, it's been on my mind for a while. I just had to follow my heart. Ever since my season started, I haven't had piece of mind for some reason. I think it's just time to get it over with. It's been fun and I'm grateful to be in this situation, but I'm going home where I'll be happy."

Welcome home, L.O.

He is the most recent commitment since project defensive end Justin Delaine of Linden, Alabama, who has limited football experience but apparent big-time potential.

Owens also joins a stellar linebacker commitment class that includes Pelham, Alabama's Jake Holland, Buford, Georgia's Jessel Curry, and Troy, Alabama's Jawara White.

War Eagle!

37-13: Now THAT's How You Open!

2009-09-06T07:41:00.000-07:00

Did I call or did I call it? We haven't had an opening this grand since the second year of the Tommy Tuberville regime in which Rudi Johnson and Ronney Daniels made their Tiger debuts in 2000.

But these Tigers have a new identity and have the rising talent to separate themselves from past Auburn teams.

Auburn pounced on Louisiana Tech in the second half, highlighted by a 93-yard school-record bomb from Chris Todd to Terrell Zachery for a touchdown to put the Tigers up 20-10. They would go on to win 37-13.

Before I get to post-game thoughts, we need to award a few Jungle Cat game balls:

**Head Coach Gene Chizik shunned critics, hired an ace staff, made the players buy into his system, and earned a win in his first game as head coach on The Plains. Congrats, Coach, and hey, you're still undefeated as an Auburn Tiger (he went 14-0 as the defensive coordinator in 2004).

**Offensive Coordinator Gus Malzahn stockpiled 556 yards of total offense and hurried three plays in the final minute of the first half to set up a last-second field goal by Wes Byrum to take a halftime lead into the locker room, something unheard of with the Tuberville coaching staff who would have characteristically taken a knee late.

**Auburn has a new running back hero in Onterio McCalebb (pictured). His 148 rushing yards and late touchdown were impressive, but even more of a head-turner since he is the first true freshman running back to gain over 100 yards in his Auburn debut since Heisman winner Bo Jackson.

**How cool is Wes Byrum? Three field goals, including two knockers of 49 and 47 yards on the evening. In close SEC games later this year, Cool Wes could be the x-factor.

**Defensive tackle Nick Fairley is the best interior defensive lineman at Auburn since Pat Sims, all proven in the sophomore's debut with the team. While we don't have all the defensive statistics, Fairley looked more than fairley competent and performed like a superstar on defense.

**Lastly, our old guard of Chris Todd and Ben Tate supplied more than senior leadership. Todd threw for 255 yards on 17 of 26 passing for 2 touchdowns, while Tate ran for 117 yards and caught two passes for 10 yards.

Some other observations on the evening...

**We now have defined receivers in T-Zach and Darvin Adams. Both scored their first touchdowns as Auburn Tigers last night and looked very polished doing it. True freshmen DeAngelo Benton and Emory Blake received limited playing time (a vote of confidence for Zachery and Adams), but Benton was chewed out viciously by Wide Receivers Coach Trooper Taylor following an incorrect route in the third quarter. I'm sure things turner amicable afterwards as Taylor reportedly chest-bumped all of Auburn and half of Opelika during the Tiger Walk.

**Defensive Coordinator Ted Roof, also making his Auburn debut, made some serious adjustments at halftime as our Tiger D corralled the ball significantly better in the second half and held Lousiana Tech to just a field goal in the final two quarters.

**True freshman safety Daren Bates played as advertised. After playing deep in the first quarter, Bates was a fixture on all plays in the second quarter-on. He grabbed a crucial interception in the second half and may have been credited for a late sack along with Antonio Coleman.

**Mario Fannin is an East-West runner. If the NCAA kept lateral statistics, he'd be a Heisman contender. Still, Fannin led the team with eight receptions on the evening.

**I had a brief flashback to 2008 when Lee Ziemba was penalized for being offsides on the first drive, killing what would have been a touchdown by Kodi Burns, forcing the Tigers to settle for a field goal. The Tigers had 87 yards worth of penalties (two facemask calls on Michael Goggans, both 15-yarders), something that needs to be squashed before SEC play next week. In his defense though, the pass interference call on Zac Etheridge was an unfathomable call--the ball was 15 feet above the receiver's head and absolutely not a catchable ball.

**Kodi Burns' role as the Wildcat QB was a spot-on decision. He scored a touchdown in the first half and was a welcome insertion into the offense.

The good news: Auburn is 1-0 with an entertaining offense. Likewise, my Rudi Johnson #32 jersey is 1-0 (and this is the first year I'm keeping jersey-wearing stats). My dad and I are headed to next weekend's game against Mississippi State, so I'll have a firsthand account of all the action.

This is going to be a fun season.

War Eagle!

Photo courtesy of The Associated Press.

Game Day: Gearing Up

2009-09-05T08:10:00.000-07:00

I'll be watching the season opener from home (Cornelius, NC) today on ESPNU. My lead-ups today? Tennessee-Western Kentucky and Georgia-Oklahoma State (and I'm pulling for Oklahoma State since current Auburn coaches Curtis Luper and Trooper Taylor recruited their standouts).

My jersey of choice for this evening is my navy blue Rudi Johnson #32. Until kick-off, I'm sporting an orange #24 Cadillac Williams jersey.

The ESPN College Gameday crew has virtually ignored Auburn and Head Coach Gene Chizik and Kirk Herbstreit made it a point to mention that Chizik has been crushed on YouTube (note: this is the first I've heard about this as it seems our entire fan base has grown to like Chizik).

If we're under the radar, let's take it and pounce on it. We came out of nowhere in Rudi Johnson's lone season on The Plains. We can do the same thing this year.

War Eagle!

Game Day: Morning Preview

2009-09-05T06:18:00.000-07:00

Welcome to The Jungle, Louisiana Tech...

For today's pre-game post, there are some good morning stories coming out of the state of Alabama:

**Evan Woodberry of The Press-Register wrote a feature on Head Coach Gene Chizik, who makes his Auburn head coaching debut tonight. Woodberry has a good angle: Chizik has systematically made us forget about his surprising hire last December and has made us realize that the Tommy Tuberville regime was, ahem, lacking. Here's the story:
http://blog.al.com/press-register-sports/2009/09/chizik_looks_to_build_a_new_re.html

**Charles Goldberg of The Birmingham News says we should keep an eye out for a fast start tonight from the Tigers. As Coach Chizik promises a return to old-fashioned Auburn football, Goldberg writes, "There's a little hot dog in Auburn, too." Could Chizik steal the moniker of "Riverboat Gambler" away from his predecessor? Here's the link:
http://blog.al.com/goldmine/2009/09/auburn_preview_what_to_look_fo.html

**Lastly, an AP article about this evening's opponent. Louisiana Tech isn't a slouch: they defeated Mississippi State last season en route to an Independence Bowl appearance. Their head coach, Derek Dooley, is a former protégé of Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban. But the one thing that haunts the Bulldogs is their poor record in big, hostile stadiums. Dooley says there is no way to simulate the atmosphere.

"I know a lot of people, they'll play loud music during practice, and I end up just getting a headache. I don't think you can prepare for it. We're going to work on some silent stuff, and there are some things you can do in practice, but at the end of the day it's an ability to eliminate all conflict in your mind--being calm in the midst of chaos, because that's what it is."

Translation: if you're headed to Jordan-Hare Stadium tonight, make some noise!

Here's the link to the AP story:
http://blog.al.com/press-register-sports/2009/09/louisiana_tech_heads_into_aubu.html

War Eagle!

Tristan Davis is Earning His Way

2009-09-03T19:56:00.001-07:00

Former Auburn running back/return specialist Tristan Davis increased his odds of making the final 53-man roster for the Detroit Tigers with this 79-yard touchdown run on Thursday night.

Davis, who suffered from foot and ankle problems during his tenure on The Plains, is attempting to make the Lions as an undrafted rookie free agent. One glance at his quick cuts and sheer speed, and one understand why his athleticism was so highly praised during his days at Auburn.

War Eagle!

Daren Bates: Dawn of a Folk Hero

2009-09-03T13:04:00.000-07:00

I swear I’m not piggybacking off of The Birmingham News or AuburnSports.com, who just turned in recent biblical-worthy features about our boy Daren Bates; however, I will add my name to the list of mediums that has decided to pay homage to our true freshman starter at safety.

To catch you up on the story of the Bates Saga, here’s the Cliff Notes version: Bates, a scarcely-recruited defensive back out of a Mississippi high school, signed with Auburn, but was forced to wait for the NCAA Clearinghouse to approve of his immediate eligibility. He missed summer workouts and was a day late in reporting to campus. Ultimately, it took him 30 days of folk tale-worthy practice sessions to score the starting safety job aside Zac Etheridge.

As Bates told reporters earlier this week, “A month ago, I didn’t think I’d be starting. I was thinking about being on special teams. I guess the coaches believed in me and had faith.”

Coaches and players alike if you ask senior cornerback Walt McFadden, who name-dropped a staggering comparison when asked about the extent of Bates’ talent.

“That’s our Junior Rosegreen—a big-time hitter,” said McFadden. Rosegreen was, of course, the free-roaming mercenary on the secondary of Auburn’s undefeated 2004 team.

Etheridge, Bates’ cohort at safety, is enamored with the tiny warrior. “At the first scrimmage we were on the sidelines watching him like, ‘Wow.’ Out of everybody, he had the motor. He didn’t stop at all. He was hitting everything. He’s a person that will hit you full speed.”

Personally, I haven’t been this excited about the debut of a true freshman defensive back since the incomparable Roshard Gilyard. I’m just guessing that Bates probably has ten times more star potential than the unsung Gilyard, a crushing hitter for the Tigers in his own right.

Bates beat out T’Sharvan Bell, Mike Slade, Drew Cole, and D’Antoine Hood for the starting job. Considering the fact that Bates, a two-star recruit on Rivals.com last year, just came to The Plains a little over a month ago, that’s a pretty impressive feat.

When the commentators for ESPNU talk about a lack of depth for the Tigers this weekend, don’t take Bates’ starting as a sign of the apocalypse. Take it as something good—a move for the future. And know that he earned it.

Auburn is going to have true freshmen in the defensive line rotation, at wide receiver, one on the offensive line, and one in the backfield, but none will have the same immediate impact that Bates will. For a kid from Olive Branch, Mississippi that no one believed in, it’s a far drive from home having one of the nation’s most passionate fan bases on your shoulders.

On Saturday night, Bates will prove that he has the strength to carry us.

War Eagle!

Photo courtesy of Al.com.

Auburn's Atmosphere: Nosa Eguae YouTubed It

2009-09-02T09:37:00.000-07:00

It’s hard to believe that in this day-in-age, freshman defensive end Nosa Eguae signed with Auburn without ever having visited the campus on game day. The experience, a romp filled with passion, love, and sheer craziness isn’t lost on Eguae, however. He YouTubed the whole thing and he loves what he sees.

"You can just go to YouTube and put Auburn football in and see the atmosphere. It's crazy. It's something I'm looking forward to," Eguae said.

Eguae expects to see significant playing time on Saturday night as a member of the d-end rotation, but will first have to experience his first Tiger Walk.

The quote comes from a recent article on AuburnSports.com (subscription required): http://auburn.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=983155.

War Eagle!

The High School Kids Love Gus Malzahn

2009-09-02T08:22:00.000-07:00

It’s a good thing that new Auburn Offensive Coordinator Gus Malzahn (above) doesn’t have candy in his pocket or a sketchy van parked in the driveway. Otherwise, the affinity that high school prospects have for him might be a story on Dateline.

But it’s true: Malzahn, specifically his personality and his offensive ingenuity, is a hit with up-and-coming prospects. Springdale, Arkansas junior quarterback Kiehl Frazier, projected as one of the top quarterbacks of the 2011 class, gushed about Malzahn.

"The high school players… everybody likes Coach Malzahn," Frazier said. "That's their dream coach to play for. We pretty much still run that same offense. It would be an easy transition into their offense."

"I love Auburn's new coaching staff and I think they're moving in the right direction. I like everything about Auburn--the facilities and the campus," Frazier said. "I think it's really early but I liked Auburn even before they offered me. I like Coach Malzahn and I knew that Auburn football was really big. Auburn is definitely toward the top of my list right now."

Frazier and fellow quarterback Jeff Driskel of Oviedo, Florida both hold offers from Auburn before their junior year of high school even begins.

Driskel is noticeably stoked about the Auburn offer.

"When Auburn offered, it was awesome," said Driskel. "It was my first offer. It came from a big school. It was really exciting. I speak with Coach Malzahn every week on Sunday. I call him every week. We've developed a good relationship. He's very personable. He's easy to talk to. He seems like he cares about me.

"He doesn't just want to talk to me about visits, recruiting. He wants to know how I'm doing. We're just developing a great relationship right now."

Hopefully that relationship can blossom into a dynamic coach-player friendship on The Plains.

For more news on Auburn recruiting, check out AuburnSports.com.

Kevin Scarbinsky of The Birmingham News wrote a great piece in December, assuring the Auburn faithful that Mazahn is a step above former Offensive Coordinator Tony Franklin. A great overall read:
http://blog.al.com/kevin-scarbinsky/2008/12/new_auburn_offensive_coordinat.html.

War Eagle!

Photo courtesy of The Press-Register.

The First Depth Chart is Out...

2009-09-01T19:58:00.000-07:00

...and here are the starters for Saturday night's game vs. Lousiana Tech:

**OFFENSE**
#16 – Chris Todd – Sr. – QUARTERBACK
#44 – Ben Tate – Sr. – TAILBACK
#27 – Mario Fannin – Jr. – H-BACK
#81 – Terrell Zachery – Jr. – WIDE RECEIVER
#89 – Darvin Adams – So. – WIDE RECEIVER
#5 – Tommy Trott – Sr. – TIGHT END
#73 – Lee Ziemba – Jr. – LEFT TACKLE
#57 – Bryon Isom – Jr. – LEFT GUARD
#50 – Ryan Pugh – Jr. – CENTER
#66 – Mike Berry – Jr. – RIGHT GUARD
#75 – Andrew McCain – Sr. – RIGHT TACKLE

**DEFENSE**
#52 – Antonio Coleman – Sr. – DEFENSIVE END
#93 – Mike Blanc – Jr. – DEFENSIVE TACKLE
#91 – Jake Ricks – Sr. – DEFENSIVE TACKLE
#49 – Michael Goggans – Jr. – DEFENSIVE END
#46 – Craig Stevens – Jr. – OUTSIDE LINEBACKER
#17 – Josh Bynes – Jr. – MIDDLE LINEBACKER
#21 – Eltoro Freeman – So. – OUTSIDE LINEBACKER
#6 – Walt McFadden – Sr. – CORNERBACK
#25 – Daren Bates – Fr. – SAFETY
#4 – Zac Etheridge – Jr. – SAFETY
#15 – Neiko Thorpe – So. – CORNERBACK

**SPECIALISTS**
#18 – Wes Byrum – Jr. – KICKER
#97 – Clinton Durst – Sr. – PUNTER
#81 – Terrell Zachery – Jr. – KICK RETURNER
#27 – Mario Fannin – Jr. – PUNT RETURNER

War Eagle!

In Case of Emergency: Wade Christopher

2009-08-31T10:25:00.000-07:00

Our attrition rate at the linebacker position has been atrocious. With the injury bug biting an already thin group which includes Eltoro Freeman, Adam Herring, Spencer Pybus, Jonathan Evans, and Harris Gaston, it’s essential for some of Auburn’s top walk-ons to be ready to contribute in game situations.

One such linebacker is Vestavia Hills, Alabama’s Wade Christopher, a pre-med student at Auburn.

Says Christopher: "I'm just happy to help the defense any way I can. Obviously you don't want guys going down in front of you but that's the point of having depth. You have to have guys behind you stepping up.

"I feel like my strength is just knowing how all three (linebacker) positions work. I feel like I can play at any one of them. I know as far as what one guy does and how the others defend off it. Knowing how all three contribute with each other as far as fits and pass coverage and so forth."

One of his teammates, starting cornerback Walt McFadden, is a fan.

"He looked pretty good. He's still nervous, trying to get the tempo of the first-team guys," McFadden said. "He's still catching up, but he's showed that he knows the plays and he knows how to fit them pretty well."

Mark Johnson of AuburnSports.com has a feature article on Christopher (subscription required): http://auburn.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=980609.

War Eagle!

Photo courtesy of AuburnSports.com.

Key Jersey Numbers - The Special Teams

2009-08-30T13:56:00.000-07:00

Key Jersey Numbers - The Defense

2009-08-30T13:47:00.000-07:00

In preparation for the 2009 season, I wanted to make sure all of The Jungle Cat readers are rooting for (or yelling at) the correct players. Below is the jersey number list for all of Auburn's key defensive players with position and year also noted.

Be sure to print this out prior to next Saturday's game:

The Auburn Defense – Key Jersey Numbers

#2 – Aairon Savage – S – Sr.
#4 – Zac Etheridge – S – Jr.
#6 – Walt McFadden – CB – Sr.
#8 – Harry Adams – CB – So.
#11 – Mike Slade – S – So.
#15 – Neiko Thorpe – CB – So.
#17 – Josh Bynes – LB – Jr.
#20 – Drew Cole – S – So.
#21 – Eltoro Freeman – LB – So.
#22 – T’Sharvan Bell – S – RFr.
#24 – D’Antoine Hood – CB/S – So.
#25 – Daren Bates – S – Fr.
#26 – Mike McNeil – S – Jr.
#31 – Adam Herring – LB – So.
#32 – Demond Washington – CB – Jr.
#35 – Jonathan Evans – LB – Fr.
#36 – Wade Christopher – LB – So.
#39 – Spencer Pybus – LB – So.
#45 – Antoine Carter – DE – Jr.
#46 – Craig Stevens – LB – Jr.
#49 – Michael Goggans – DE – Jr.
#52 – Antonio Coleman – DE – Sr.
#56 – Ashton Richardson – LB – So.
#58 – Harris Gaston – LB – Fr.
#74 – Jamar Travis – DT – Fr.
#76 – Dee Ford – DE/LB – Fr.
#90 – Nick Fairley – DT – So.
#91 – Jake Ricks – DT – Sr.
#92 – Cameron Henderson – DE – RFr.
#93 – Mike Blanc – DT – Jr.
#94 – Nosa Eguae – DE – Fr.
#97 – Derrick Lykes – DT – RFr.
#98 – Zach Clayton – DT – Jr.

Key Jersey Numbers - The Offense

2009-08-30T13:30:00.001-07:00

In preparation for the 2009 season, I wanted to make sure all of The Jungle Cat readers are rooting for (or yelling at) the correct players. Below is the jersey number list for all of Auburn's key offensive players with position and year also noted.

Be sure to print this out prior to next Saturday's game:

The Auburn Offense – Key Jersey Numbers

#3 – DeAngelo Benton – WR – Fr.
#5 – Tommy Trott – TE – Sr.
#9 – Quindarius Carr – WR – So.
#12 – Chris Todd – QB – Sr.
#13 – Tim Hawthorne – WR – Sr.
#14 – Barrett Trotter – QB – RFr.
#17 – Tyrik Rollison – QB – Fr.
#18 – Kodi Burns – WR/QB – Jr.
#19 – Neil Caudle – QB – Jr.
#23 – Onterio McCalebb – RB – Fr.
#24 – Anthony Gulley – WR – Fr.
#27 – Mario Fannin – RB/WR – Jr.
#28 – Dontae Aycock – RB – Fr.
#30 – John Douglas – RB – So.
#32 – Eric Smith – RB – So.
#43 – Philip Lutzenkirchen – TE – Fr.
#44 – Ben Tate – RB – Sr.
#48 – Bailey Woods – TE – So.
#50 – Ryan Pugh – C – Jr.
#53 – Bart Eddins – C – Jr.
#54 – Aubrey Phillips – OT – Fr.
#55 – Vance Smith – OT – So.
#57 – Byron Isom – OG – Jr.
#66 – Mike Berry – OG/C – Jr.
#69 – Rudy Odom – OG – Sr.
#70 – Andre Harris – OG – Fr.
#71 – John Sullen – OG – Fr.
#73 – Lee Ziemba – OT – Jr.
#75 – Andrew McCain – OT – Sr.
#76 – Jorrell Bostrom – OG – Jr.
#77 – A.J. Greene – OT – So.
#79 – Jared Cooper – OG – So.
#80 – Emory Blake – WR – Fr.
#81 – Terrell Zachery – WR – Jr.
#82 – Philip Pierre-Louis – WR – So.
#82 – Jay Wisner – WR – Jr.
#83 – Gabe McKenzie – TE – Sr.
#84 – Montez Billings – WR – Sr.
#85 – Travante Stallworth – WR – Fr.
#86 – John Cubelic – WR – Jr.
#87 – Derek Winter – WR – So.
#89 – Darvin Adams – WR – So.

One Week Until Kick-Off... I'm Back with a Vengeance

2009-08-30T12:32:00.002-07:00

Ok, Jungle Cat followers… first of all, let me welcome myself back. I took a spill in a golf cart last Wednesday while tending to my day job, suffering lacerations on my forehead, a severely bruised shoulder, and a disgusting-looking skinned wrist (which affected my ability to type).

With less than a week until Auburn’s first game against Louisiana Tech, I’m back. And there is a lot to talk about. From now until next Saturday, I’ll post EVERY DAY with updates, newsworthy tidbits, and mini-depth chart breakdowns.

I’ll also post a few more times this evening, but first, some house cleaning:

**"Nasty" Neil Caudle is your new backup quarterback. Two weeks after Chris Todd was selected as our starter, Caudle, a junior, has beaten out true freshman Tyrik Rollison for the #2 job. Here’s what Charles Goldberg of The Birmingham News had to say about it:http://blog.al.com/goldmine/2009/08/neil_caudle_named_no_2_quarter.html

**True freshmen DeAngelo Benton and Daren Bates are slated to start on opening night. Benton, a wide receiver out of Louisiana has impressed Wide Receivers Coach Trooper Taylor enough to earn the nod, while Bates, from Mississippi, has blossomed into a full-blown skull-cracker at the safety position. Newcomer JUCO transfers Eltoro Freeman (linebacker) and Nick Fairley (d-lineman) have also inserted themselves into the starting rotations.

**Senior wide receiver Montez Billings has been suspended by the NCAA for the first four games of the season due to academic issues. Do you want to know the crazy part about this situation? Billings is already an Auburn graduate. Bizarre.

An exasperated Gene Chizik said it best: “It is what it is.”

Here’s the article (subscription required) from Bryan Matthews at AuburnSports.com with quotes from coaches Chizik and Taylor:
http://auburn.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=981332

**Either coaches from Alabama or Georgia are guilty of negative recruiting. In a recent article on UGASports.com, Stone Mountain, Georgia high school player Mike Thornton suggested that he’s heard some not-so-nice things said about our beloved Tigers.

Thornton was quoted as saying: “I kind of knew where I wanted to go when the school year started. But then, as I thought back on it before trying to make a decision, I started thinking about situations that could happen with this school. I just changed my mind really and just decided to hold off. I was kind of hearing some things about the school I was really leaning towards, but I do not know how true that is. Things change, people change, the years change, so I am just going to try and get down to that school and see if it is really a good fit for me."

Don’t worry. Auburn is still high on the defensive tackle prospect’s board (subscription required):
http://auburn.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=981422

**Lastly, backup running back Eric Smith was arrested last week after assaulting an Auburn student at the Lexington Hotel in Auburn. Smith and the other party in the scuffle were not sober. Smith’s status with the team is uncertain. Here’s the link for the article in the Opelika-Auburn News about the arrest, but please read with an open mind. Smith is 19-years-old and one mistake of this magnitude shouldn’t ruin a playing career, much less a life:
http://www2.oanow.com/oan/oasports/comments/exclusive_smith_to_turn_himself_in_monday_on_assault_allegations/88545/

War Eagle!

The 2009 Arms Race - Part 2

2009-08-14T07:08:00.000-07:00

As I wrote last night, Head Coach Gene Chizik has named senior Chris Todd the starting quarterback for the season-opener against Louisiana Tech on September 5.

Now, I’m not saying that I’m not thrilled for the decision and I’m not suggesting that his lack of work during spring practice is going to hurt him; however, I will go on the record saying that he was my least favorite player of the debacle that was the 2008 season and the helmeted personification of the ill-fated Tony Franklin Era. Todd had better hope that his shoulder (he had surgery which kept him out of spring practice) had better be 200% improved from last year. That, plus he had better learn to get rid of the ball quicker, quit throwing balls at receivers’ feet, and stop missing wide-open receivers and opting for passes to the flats for short gains.

Todd had better be a product of the new Gus Malzahn offense. Most college football fan bases are taken aback when their quarterback is called a system quarterback. If Todd is somehow labeled a “system quarterback” this year, we should consider this season a minor success.

In addition to Todd’s promotion, incumbent quarterback Kodi Burns has been moved to wide receiver. This will do things for the Tigers: 1) Shore up room at the quarterback spot on the depth chart and 2) Allow Burns to be an excellent quarterback in the wildcat formation.

The move also means that this coaching stuff must believe that true freshman Tyrik Rollison could serve as the team’s starting quarterback, possibly as early as next year.

With Todd as the starter, the quarterback depth chart is now lined with Neil Caudle as the second-stringer, Rollison, true freshman Clint Moseley, who expects to be redshirted, and Barrett Trotter, who is recovering from off-season knee surgery.

There’s myriad of stories about this on sites such as AuburnSports.com, AuburnUndercover.com, and from Alabama Live, a story from Charles Goldberg of The Birmingham News:
http://blog.al.com/goldmine/2009/08/auburn_names_chris_todd_starti.html.

War Eagle!

Chris Todd Named Starting QB

2009-08-13T19:37:00.000-07:00

The text message came at 10:31 pm EST this evening from the guys at AuburnSports.com: senior Chris Todd will kick off the 2009 season as Auburn's starting quarterback.

In another shocking move, incumbent starter Kodi Burns has been moved to wide receiver.

I'll have more to add on this subject, plus more, on Friday morning. For now, sleep tight knowing there's a definite starter on the Plains.

War Eagle!

Walk-on Wisner a Hidden Gem

2009-08-11T11:55:00.000-07:00

The Internet Era is a great thing isn’t it?

Message board chatter and web rumors usually instigate the beginnings of unproven folklore in the sporting world. Such is the case with wide receiver Jay Wisner from Bozeman, Montana who played last year for Saddleback Community College. He was not ranked by various recruiting websites and was not scouted by major schools.

Auburn, however, took notice.

Wisner was recruited to Auburn University by Wide Receivers Coach Trooper Taylor as a preferred walk-on, took the opportunity, and is now on the roster. Not only that, he’s apparently turning heads as Taylor commented to the media on Monday that Wisner is currently in the receiving rotation.

To help get you familiar with Wisner, here’s a highlight video that he and his coaches at Saddleback Community College sent to various colleges:

War Eagle!

The 2009 Arms Race - Part 1

2009-08-10T13:06:00.000-07:00

I'm so sure that there is going to be a sequel to this story, that I'm going to lock up Cobra Commander and Destro in a G.I. Joe prison and have them vow revenge...

I started the day off with the tragic tale of Auburn's depth woes. I don't want anyone to delve into a depression, so I've decided to talk about the position with the most depth: quarterback.

We don't have a starter yet but the field has been narrowed since the start of fall practice. Redshirt freshman Barrett Trotter is still recovering from a knee injury he suffered during the spring, while true freshman Robert Cooper has willingly moved to tight end to better ensure that he'll play early.

That leaves Kodi Burns, Neil Caudle, Chris Todd (pictured), and Tyrik Rollison still battling it out for the top spot under the center. As of right now, the official AU depth chart at quarterback reads as follows:

QUARTERBACK
#18 Kodi Burns, Jr., 2L *OR*
#19 Neil Caudle, Jr., 2L
#16 Chris Todd, Sr., 3L
#17 Tyrik Rollison, Fr., HS
#14 Barrett Trotter, Fr., RS

Now that *OR* insists that Offensive Coordinator Gus Malzahn hasn't settled on a starter. Burns and Caudle are the two favorites above Todd and true freshman Rollison, but nothing is concrete. That *OR* can look completely indecisive, especially at the quarterback position, but keep in mind that same *OR* led Auburn to an undefeated season in 2004 when the starting tailback was Cadillac Williams *OR* Ronnie Brown. It never seems acceptable if a team has two starting quarterbacks but in this day of spread offenses and wildcat formations, it's highly conceivable that both Burns (a duel-threat whose ground threat is more of a threat than his air-threat) and Caudle (a pro-style dropback passer) could thrive in this scenario.

Malzahn commented about the QB battle to AuburnSports.com:

"To truly evaluate them, we'll have to rotate these quarterbacks (in practice). You'll see me continually do that. It means nothing as far as anything other than we're evaluating. We want to see what they can do with some of the guys who are more experienced.

"I'm going to say that everybody's got a fair chance right now. I don't want to throw anybody out. Hopefully after this first scrimmage, we can narrow things down somewhat."

The Tigers plan on holding their first full-pad scrimmage tomorrow. They began a light Two-A-Days session this weekend.

War Eagle!

Photo courtesy of AuburnSports.com.

Depth Could Be Auburn's Downfall

2009-08-10T10:47:00.000-07:00

Right now Auburn has four healthy scholarship linebackers. FOUR. Granted, three were the projected starting linebackers coming out of spring practice, this lack of depth could be the downfall of Auburn's defense in 2009.

The three starters, Josh Bynes, Eltoro Freeman, and Craig Stevens, are joined by true freshman Jonathan Evans on the practice field today. Spencer Pybus, Adam Herring, and Harris Gaston are all nursing injuries. Unfortunately for the Tigers, the depth issue doesn't just take place at the linebacker position. It's actually a widespread concern as Andrew Gribble of Auburn Versus points out.

Gribble penned a pretty staggering article that breaks down Auburn's depth issues as one epic fail after another, thanks to former Head Coach Tommy Tuberville's recruiting habits. It's definitely worth the read, but take heed: you might feel depressed afterwards.

Here's the link: http://www.gulfeast2.com/index.php/auburnversus/comments/au_football_attrition_leaves_tigers_short_on_scholarship_players/

Practice Begins!

2009-08-05T18:51:00.000-07:00

And so begins the 2009 Auburn football season, as practice began on the fields behind the Tigers' practice complex. As Charles Goldberg of The Birmingham News writes, freshman wide receivers DeAngelo Benton (pictured) and Emory Blake were among the first teamers on the field (the majority of the newcomers, such as quarterback Tyrik Rollison began practice in the indoor facility.

D-lineman Nick Fairley and tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen were also practicing with the first team.

Goldberg also writes that wide receiver Philip Pierre-Louis "wasn't on the field or the roster." It's been rumored that Pierre-Louis is in the dog house and this might be an inkling that that notion is true.

Here are the initial Goldberg's notes: http://blog.al.com/goldmine/2009/08/young_wide_receivers_first_up.html

In other Auburn news, newly-signed defensive linemen Josh Jackson and Terrance Coleman did NOT qualify into Auburn Univeristy, according to the NCAA Clearinghouse, and will enroll in junior college. The defensive line is currently the deepest spot on the Auburn defense, so this isn't a major blow to Auburn's 2009 season. Both will stay in touch with the Auburn coaching staff, especially Coleman who is the nephew of Auburn senior Antonio Coleman, an All-SEC defensive end.

War Eagle!

ADDENDUM (08/06/09): Head Coach Gene Chizik stated that wide receiver Philip Pierre-Louis is still on the roster but will stay home to sort through some personal problems before the start of the fall semester. Conversely, walk-on running back Justin Albert has left the team.

Photo courtesy of The Birmingham News.

Ben Tate Talks of New Attitude as Practice Kicks Off

2009-08-05T07:26:00.001-07:00

The 2009 Auburn Football season starts today! In the words of Andy Samberg, “Get your towels ready, it’s about to go down…”

AuburnSports.com had a great interview yesterday with running back Ben Tate (pictured) who suggests that the new-look Tigers also have a new-look attitude:

"Last year, I would say we were divided. We're coming together this (year) a lot better as a team. There's a lot of emphasis on team."

"It's natural when things go badly for people to start pointing fingers at one another," he said. "That's one of the things we did. Now, if something goes wrong we have to stay together.

"Auburn is going to be one of the top programs very soon. When your coaches are easy to get along with, that brings everyone else together. This is one of the best off-seasons I've had--and this team's had--since I've been here."

The article also had some candid quotes from middle linebacker Josh Bynes:

"We're very eager and we're hungry. Of course there's a lot of things being said about Auburn, about us being this and that. But we're trying to make this a better program. We're turning things around. We're becoming a better team in practice than we ever did before.

"We're just going out there competing every day and we're going to keep competing throughout the football season."

Bynes also threw down the gauntlet to the incoming freshmen:

"As far as I'm concerned I haven't seen any freshmen that have really done anything. We're starting to get into pads, so then we'll be able to see who can fly around, who can make plays, things like that."

For the entire article, click here (subscription required):
http://auburn.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=971664.

In more Auburn football news…

**Tight end Gabe McKenzie is officially back with the team after missing spring practice due to undisclosed medical reasons. You may remember McKenzie as the saving grace in the 2007 season-opener against Kansas State in which McKenzie caught the winning touchdown pass from Brandon Cox. After spending the 2008 season as a defensive end, McKenzie is back on the offensive side of the ball this year.

**Defensive back Demond Washington, who was awaiting confirmation from the NCAA Clearinghouse to join the Auburn Tigers, has officially been cleared. He expects to be placed at cornerback, a position of need for the Tigers.

War Eagle!

Photo courtesy of AuburnSports.com.

The Jungle Cat

Running Diary: Auburn Spring Game

TJC's Top 10 Spring Practice Storylines

Auburn's New Website Ranked #1 in BCS Poll

Tyrik Waves Bye to Groupies and Golddiggers

Join the Jungle Cat Mailing List

Bizarre Stories in Auburn Recruiting - Part 3

Bizarre Stories in Auburn Recruiting - Part 2

Bizarre Stories in Auburn Recruiting - Part 1

Signing Day Bonanza!

I'm on Team Kiehl

Auburn Jerseys for the Mayoral Occasion

Horses Headed to the Glue Factory

Curtis Luper is a Smooth Operator

New Kids on the Block

The Definitive Cameron Newton Article

Wild Bowl Game Ends Wild Season for Auburn

Punt Returner Named All-Conference

Recruiting Update: Offense & Special Teams

College Football Players Get Swag

Recruiting Update: Defense

Auburn Headed to the Outback

We Didn't Win

The Iron Bowl: Fourth Quarter Recap

The Iron Bowl: Third Quarter Recap

The Iron Bowl: Halftime Report

The Iron Bowl: Second Quarter Recap

The Iron Bowl: First Quarter Recap

Iron Bowl '09: Mission Impossible

Taking Off the Gloves...

Freshmen Break Out in Win Over Furman

Eagle, Eagle, War Dyer Eagle!

Tweeting Tigers

Etheridge Explains Ordeal

Top High School Players Ready to Commit

Washington Gets Starting Nod

Zac Etheridge Suffers Season-Ending Injury

Auburn Defense Steps Up (Not a Typo)

Eradicate the Big Plays...

Nowhere Close to a Win

Game Day: We're Going to Lose Tonight*

N&N Following Kentucky

A Loss? Yes. Reason to Panic? No.

Game Day Eve: Searching for Six

Recruiting Update: Offense & Special Teams

Recruiting Update: Defense

Key Players - The Special Teams

Key Jersey Numbers - The Defense

Key Jersey Numbers - The Offense

N&N Following Arkansas

Zac Etheridge Goes Ballistic at Halftime

Weaknesses Exposed in Loss to Arkansas

Game Day: Gearing Up

Game Day: Morning Preview

N&N Following Tennessee

No Jungle Catting This Weekend...

A Rocky Solid Defense

Sloppy Win, but Auburn is 4-0

Game Day: Gearing Up

Game Day: Morning Preview

Rod Smith Needs Our Help

Get Yourself Some Trooper Towels

N&N Following West Virginia

Late Night Recruiting Pays Dividends

The Barnburner at Jordan-Hare

Game Day: Gearing Up

Game Day: Morning Preview

N&N Following Mississippi State

Searching for a Breakout Tight End?

Thin Defense is Holding Steady

Statement Game

Game Day: Gearing Up

Game Day: Morning Preview

N&N Following Lousiana Tech

Hello L.O.

37-13: Now THAT's How You Open!

Game Day: Gearing Up

Game Day: Morning Preview

Tristan Davis is Earning His Way

Daren Bates: Dawn of a Folk Hero