SEC honors Clark, Lemonier

Courtesy of Auburn sports information

AUBURN – Auburn sophomores Corey Lemonier and Steven Clark were honored by the Southeastern Conference Monday for their play in Saturday’s 17-6 victory over Florida.

Lemonier was named the SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week while Clark was named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Week.

Lemonier, a native of Hialeah, Fla., led the Auburn defense with six tackles. Of his six tackles, 3.0 were for loss (minus 20 yards) along with 2.0 sacks (minus 16 yards). He also tallied four quarterback hurries.

He tied his career high in tackles and set new career-bests in tackles for loss and sacks. His tackles for loss and sacks are also team-highs for the season.

Lemonier helped the Auburn defense hold Florida to 194 yards of total offense, which was the fewest by a Gator offense since 1990 at Tennessee (194). It was also the fewest yards the Auburn defense has allowed since surrendering 191 yards to Tennessee in 2008.

Clark, a native of Kansas City, Mo., was named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Week for the second time this season, also earning it after his play at South Carolina.

He tied his career high with nine punts last weekend against Florida. Two of the punts were muffed by the Gators and recovered by Auburn, resulting in points for the Tigers each time. On the seven other punts (outside of UF fumbles), Florida’s average starting field position was their own 26 yard line.

Clark averaged 39.2 yards per punt, two of which led to Gator drives starting inside the 20-yard line. Florida returned four of the nine punts for a total of -4 return yards on the day.

Clark leads the SEC with 50.0 percent of his punts (22-of-44) inside the opponents’ 20-yard line. His 22 punts inside the 20 also lead the nation.

No. 19.23 Auburn returns to action this week with a 2:30 p.m., Saturday game at No. 1 LSU. The game will be televised on CBS.