Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Mosley, Harris will play in Senior Bowl

(Courtesy of Auburn sports information)

AUBURN — Auburn football players Brandon Mosley and Josh Harris have accepted invitations to play in the 63rd Senior Bowl on Jan. 28 in Mobile, Ala.

“We’re excited to have both Brandon and Josh here representing Auburn later this month in the Senior Bowl,” Senior Bowl President and CEO Steve Hale said. “They have both had great careers and are considered to be top prospects at their respective positions.”

Mosley was a second team All-SEC selection by the league coaches in 2011 after starting all 13 games for the Tigers, one at left tackle and 12 at right tackle. The 6-6, 305-pound senior started 11 games in 2010 as he helped Auburn to the BCS National Championship.

“First of all I feel blessed to be in the situation and really honored and thankful for the Senior Bowl asking me to come,” Mosley said. “It’s a huge privilege and I certainly appreciate it and it’s a dream to be able to play in the Senior Bowl and continue on to the next level.”

For his career, the Jefferson, Ga., native started 24 straight games and appeared in 27. As a junior in 2010, he was a part of an Auburn offense that set a school record by rushing for 300 yards or more in six consecutive SEC games.

“I want to show that I can be the tackle that they need in the NFL and show that I've got what it takes and really just want to work hard to prove that to them and hopefully I’ll be able to do that,” Mosley said.

Harris served as the Tigers’ deep snapper on all field goals, PAT’s and punts the last two seasons. He earned a scholarship prior to his junior year. The Carrollton, Ga., native has six career special teams tackles and was part of a unit this season that ranked third in the SEC in punting.

“It’s just really a blessing,” Harris said. “My time at Auburn was incredible. As a walk-on I just never thought I’d end up in this position to now be able to try to fulfill a childhood dream of mine and play in the NFL and this will be a great opportunity to get that exposure.

“It’s good to know that I’ll get to wear a helmet with that AU logo on the side one last time. Auburn just means so much to me and it always will and now that my playing days are over we get to go out there and represent the Auburn family one more time.”

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Chizik, Trotter talk about bowl victory

ATLANTA - Here are some remarks from Auburn coach Gene Chizik and quarterback Barrett Trotter following the Tigers' 43-24 Chick-fil-A Bowl victory at the Georgia Dome.

Chizik

“It was a lot of fun. I am so happy for our kids and our coaches. That was a good football team that we beat tonight. We are just glad to come in here and have the first win of the year starting our next year.”



(On the onside kick)

“There is no question (it was the momentum changer). We knew we were going to do that. We told the players all week that we were going to do that. We knew we were going to get it and we are pretty much undefeated when it comes to that kick. It’s hard to stop if you execute it right. But, it was definitely a momentum changer.”



(On Barrett Trotter)

“I couldn’t be more proud of a young guy than I am of Barrett Trotter in so many ways off the field, the way that he handled everything in the middle of the season and what a fitting end to his season. He finished it the way he started it.”


Barrett Trotter

“It means a whole lot to finish out with these guys. It was good to be able to finish what I started. I got the opportunity to start the season, and there is nothing I hate more than starting something and not finishing it. I hate that Clint (Moseley) got hurt, but I am so glad to be able to come in and send all of the seniors out with a win. As soon as I saw Clint limping off, I went ahead and took my headset off and started warming up.”

(on the long pass to Emory Blake)
“It is the same pass that we have been running all year. They were playing a tight corners look, and I feel really comfortable with that play. Emory made a great play on the ball and got open, and it was a really long play that helped us.”