FROSH DEBUT

AUBURN — With cornerbacks Jerraud Powers (hamstring) and Neiko Thorpe (ankle) out with injuries, true freshman D’Antoine Hood made his first career start against Ole Miss. The Rebels attacked Hood early, lobbing a pass in his direction on the game’s first play.
“I’m proud of Hood. They went after him pretty early. He held his own,” Tuberville said. “They didn’t really go after him much after that. He was scared to death, as you can imagine.”
Hood said after the game that he’s always nervous before games, but talking to his cousin — former Auburn cornerback and current NFL player Rod Hood — earlier in the week helped prepare him to play.
Hood had played sparingly this season. His primary service had come on special teams, with occasional opportunities on defense.
“It was my first start and it was on the road, but my mindset was to go out there, be positive, whatever happens, just play the next play,” Hood said. “And just know my position and play good.
“I felt like I did all right, but I feel like I messed up a couple times, pass interference and stuff like that.”
Hood finished with six tackles and a pass breakup. He also appeared to have a possibly game-changing fumble recovery, but replay showed the runner was down on the play and the call was overturned.
Tuberville said many times this week that Powers was expected to play. Powers practiced for part of the week, but didn’t dress for Saturday’s game.
“He tried to go a couple days this week,” Tuberville said. “We hoped he would be better by today. He wasn’t even close.”
— Luke Brietzke