tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37846050250322683772024-03-14T02:57:27.357-05:00The Auburn BeatCovering Tiger athletics with The Anniston Star, Decatur Daily and Florence TimesDaily.Bran D. Stricklandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17743243375135215547noreply@blogger.comBlogger736125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3784605025032268377.post-14444363146543306422012-01-03T12:12:00.003-06:002012-01-03T12:18:45.644-06:00Mosley, Harris will play in Senior Bowl(Courtesy of Auburn sports information)<br /><br />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.<br /><br />“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.”<br /><br />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. <br /><br />“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.”<br /><br />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. <br /><br />“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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />“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.<br /><br />“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.”Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3784605025032268377.post-35923142085677429332012-01-01T00:19:00.002-06:002012-01-01T00:22:51.617-06:00Chizik, Trotter talk about bowl victoryATLANTA - 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.<br /><br />Chizik<br /><br />“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.”<br /><br /> <br /><br />(On the onside kick)<br /><br />“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.”<br /><br /> <br /><br />(On Barrett Trotter)<br /><br />“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.”<br /><br /> <br />Barrett Trotter<br /><br />“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.”<br /><br />(on the long pass to Emory Blake)<br />“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.”Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3784605025032268377.post-38613779430592917882011-12-30T12:35:00.002-06:002011-12-30T12:36:05.036-06:00Chizik: Dyer's status unchangedATLANTA – The status of suspended Auburn tailback Mike Dyer has not changed, according to Auburn coach Gene Chizik.<br /><br />Chizik was asked Friday during a Chick-fil-A Bowl press conference about recent rumors that Dyer, an Arkansas native, plans to transfer to Arkansas State, where Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn was recently hired as head coach.<br /><br />“Mike Dyer’s status has not changed,” Chizik said. “If it does, I’ll let you know. I’m not aware of any of that.”<br /><br />Dyer, a sophomore, has rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons and led the Tigers in rushing this year with 1,242 yards.<br /><br />He was suspended indefinitely Dec. 11 for an undisclosed violation of team rules, although Chizik left the door open for Dyer’s return should he accomplish certain objectives.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3784605025032268377.post-87200917895426544262011-12-29T15:30:00.002-06:002011-12-29T15:35:30.826-06:00What Auburn's coaches are saying about the CavsATLANTA - Auburn safeties coach Tommy Thigpen and offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn met with the media on Thursday to talk about the Tigers' upcoming matchup with Virginia in Saturday's Chick-fil-A Bowl.<br /><br />Thigpen analyzed Virginia's offense, while Malzahn discussed the Cavaliers' defense. Here'w what they had to say:<br /><br />Thigpen on Virginia's offense<br /><br />"What we’re seeing is a team that doesn’t allow you to do much on defense. With all the switching and the motions, it creates a lot of confusion. So if you have a young team like we have, it limits you. If you’re watching teams that play them, they’re not playing much man coverage versus them, because of the shifts and the motions and the miss-fits. So we’ve got to be pretty vanilla. And communication is key. They take a lot of pride in running the football. That’s been Virginia’s MO since I was in high school. I’m from Virginia. I was recruited by Virginia back in the days and it doesn’t seem like they’ve changed at all as far as run the ball, run the ball, play action. They do a tremendous job.<br /><br />The offensive line is big, they’re strong. They kind of look like an SEC team. They run the ball. They take a lot of pride in running that football. Communication’s got to be right on point. We can’t bust any assignments."<br /><br />Malzahn on Virginia's defense<br /> <br />"Virginia’s defense is very sound. They’re very impressive up front. They play a great run defense, especially in between the boxes. They try to keep things in front of them. They try to make you earn it – very few big plays. And at the same time, they’ll pick and choose when they pressure and they do a good job with their pressure. They’re well coached. You can tell the guys, they know what they’re doing, they know the situations and they’re going to make you earn it."Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3784605025032268377.post-66259480713028356772011-12-28T16:48:00.003-06:002011-12-28T16:54:23.569-06:00Lolley talks about Chizik as DCAUBURN Auburn's assistant coaches met with the media after Wednesday's bowl practice for Saturday's Chick-fil-A Bowl game with Virginia.<br /><br />Auburn secondary coach Phillip Lolley had an interesting take on Auburn head coach Gene Chizik as a defensive coordinator. Chizik has been serving as defensive coordinator since Ted Roof left earlier this month for a similar job at Central Florida.<br /><br />Here's what Lolley had to say:<br /><br />I've worked with him before. I know exactly what to expect. He's always a great teacher, always motivated. The whole team sees that he loves to coach. The head coach role is different. You can tell he's missed being out there and being in the battle.<br /> <br />"I always know what to expect from Coach. He's a great leader, a great teacher. You can tell that we started from ground level with our teaching methods. That's what we wanted to accomplish going into this bowl game – get the ground work again knowing that we've got a lot of young players. We've done a lot of teaching, a lot of drills, a lot of fundamental. He's been highly, highly excited. Not being able to coach a position for 4 or 5 years, having to serve as the head guys, he's been highly motivated. It rubs off on everybody; it's contagious. <br /> <br />"It's something we talk about all the time, but they're seeing the head man now in a teaching role. They see why he was in demand to be a head coach. It all started on defense for him. It's been a new experience for our guys, but to me I've been there with him before. I knew what to expect.<br /> <br />Is it fun for you?<br /><br />"Absolutely! It's been fun. It brings back a lot of memories. We were undefeated before he went to Texas. I knew what to expect. I've worked with him. I knew he'd be highly motivated and he'd be fast-paced.<br /> <br />"The players who played at Auburn before understood that. When he was hired as head coach, you saw a lot of our old players come back because they remembered him as the defensive coordinator. They knew how highly motivated he was. Now these younger players that we have are able to see what the older players saw back then.<br /> <br />Is it a return to the old Chizik?<br /><br />"He's always been the same guy. When he was coordinator before, he was always highly motivated and stressed fundamentals. He's the same Chiz I remember. Being in a head coach was new to me. Being in this role isn't new to me. I remember."Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3784605025032268377.post-43243171019548152112011-12-28T09:46:00.002-06:002011-12-28T09:49:56.950-06:00Auburn will face Texas A&M in 2012(Courtesy of Auburn sports information)<br /><br />AUBURN — Auburn football’s 2012 Southeastern Conference schedule has been released by the league office.<br /><br />Auburn’s conference home games at Jordan-Hare Stadium will include LSU (Sept. 22), Arkansas (Oct. 6), Texas A&M (Oct. 27) and Georgia (Nov. 10).<br /><br />The 2012 home schedule will feature the defending SEC Champion (LSU) and SEC East Champion (Georgia), and a first-ever trip to Jordan-Hare Stadium by new conference member Texas A&M. <br /><br />The Tigers’ SEC road schedule will be games at Mississippi State (Sept. 8), Ole Miss (Oct. 13), Vanderbilt (Oct. 20), and Alabama (Nov. 24).<br /><br />The non-conference schedule will include games against Clemson in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic to start the season as well as home games against ULM, New Mexico State and Alabama A&M. The dates for the four non-conference games will be announced at a later date.<br /><br />Auburn will host its annual A-Day on Saturday, April 14. The A-Day kickoff time as well as the entire weekend of A-Day activities will also be announced in the near future.<br /><br />2012 AUBURN FOOTBALL SEC SCHEDULE<br /><br />Sept. 8 at Mississippi State<br /><br />Sept. 22 LSU<br /><br />Oct. 6 ARKANSAS<br /><br />Oct. 13 at Ole Miss<br /><br />Oct. 20 at Vanderbilt<br /><br />Oct. 27 TEXAS A&M<br /><br />Nov. 10 GEORGIA<br /><br />Nov. 24 at AlabamaUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3784605025032268377.post-46227053716720858122011-12-27T16:30:00.001-06:002011-12-27T16:31:28.746-06:00Auburn defense has its swagger backATLANTA – For a unit that ranked at or near the bottom of the SEC in most major statistical categories, Auburn’s defense has an unusually high level of confidence heading into the Tigers’ New Year’s Eve Chick-fil-A Bowl showdown with Virginia.<br /><br />Must be that new defensive coordinator.<br /><br />(FOR MORE, READ WEDNESDAY'S ANNISTON STAR)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3784605025032268377.post-25227157257610948162011-12-27T16:27:00.000-06:002011-12-27T16:28:21.549-06:00Yeah, Newton's the real dealATLANTA – Auburn coach Gene Chizik was fielding questions from the media after the Tigers’ Tuesday practice in the Georgia Dome when a reporter changed the subject from Saturday’s Chick-fil-A Bowl to former Auburn quarterback Cam Newton.<br /><br />Chizik was asked if he were maybe just a little bit surprised with Newton’s success as a rookie quarterback with the Carolina Panthers.<br /><br />“No. I'm not surprised,” Chizik said. “Anybody who wanted my opinion last year, that's the opinion I gave them. He's a star. And anybody who thought differently…they have their own opinion. I was around him every day, I watched him every day, and I'm not one bit surprised. As the years go on, and he learns more about the league, and learns more about the defenses, you're going to see more of the same.”Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3784605025032268377.post-92196068527526151452011-12-26T17:01:00.003-06:002011-12-26T17:07:40.832-06:00Mason likes the Georgia DomeAUBURN - Auburn held its first practice in the Georgia Dome Monday in preparation for Saturday night's Chick-fil-A Bowl game with Virginia.<br /><br />Afterward, several of Auburn's players met with the media, including freshman running back Tre Mason.<br /><br />Here's what Mason had to say:<br /><br />Talk about playing in this game.<br /><br />"It's exciting. It's a great opportunity I was given, so I'm just going<br />to do what I've got to do to win.<br /><br />What do you think of the Georgia Dome?<br /><br />"I like the turf. The turf is a fast track."<br /><br />Does that give you and Onterio McCalebb an advantage?<br /><br />"I feel like it is. It'll be an advantage for us. We're a couple of<br />fast guys. This will actually help us get to be where we need to be,<br />which is the end zone, a lot faster.<br /><br />Has Onterio been helpful?<br /><br />"He's helped me greatly. He's like a brother. What I didn't really<br />understand, he corrected me on it. He's got me to where I understand<br />the entire offense."<br /><br />Are you ready to run between the tackles?<br /><br />"I've been ready. I've been ready since high school to run between the<br />tackle. That's what I'm here to do."<br /><br />Are you big enough?<br /><br />"I think it really takes a lot of heart, and not being afraid to run<br />between the tackles. Some running backs may be shy between the<br />tackles, but I’m not. It's not a size thing at all."<br /><br />Talk about the work you got during the regular season.<br /><br />"A lot of reps. It was Mike (Dyer) and I. We were getting an equal amount of<br />reps, and we just kept each other going because you never know when<br />somebody might go down."<br /><br />How has Quan Bray fit in?<br /><br />"He's perfect. He's versatile. He could play every position on the<br />field if you wanted him to. He could play defense, too. He's just a<br />great athlete."<br /><br />Talk about your freshman year?<br /><br />"It was good to get your feet wet and learn some of this offense. I<br />can't wait until next year and really play a lot."Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3784605025032268377.post-50744917298909365062011-12-21T12:53:00.003-06:002011-12-21T12:54:51.277-06:00Coordinators unlikely to be hired before bowl gameAUBURN – Auburn coach Gene Chizik concedes it will likely be after the Tigers’ Dec. 31 Chick-fil-A Bowl game with Virginia before he hires an offensive or defensive coordinator.<br /><br />“Again, without boxing myself in the corner with the timeline, that’s certainly a very good possibility, yes,” Chizik said Wednesday.<br /><br />Chizik must replace offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, who will be leaving after the bowl game to become the head coach at Arkansas State, and defensive coordinator Ted Roof, who left two weeks ago to take the defensive coordinator’s job at Central Florida.<br /><br />Although Chizik said he’d like to hire coaches who he knew would stay for several years, he said hiring coaches who are a good fit for Auburn is more important than continuity.<br /><br />“I think you hire the best guy,” he said. “Obviously, continuity is something you would really, really like to have. The real unfortunate reality is if you hire really good ones, there are a lot of people who want them. But I want to hire the best fit and the best person for Auburn. Obviously, continuity would be a big deal but the most important thing is that it be the right fit, in terms of being on the same page and the same philosophies. That’s the most important thing.”Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3784605025032268377.post-83392306273015604542011-12-20T16:52:00.001-06:002011-12-20T16:53:37.682-06:00Jermaine Whitehead, philosopher, offers something to chew onAuburn freshman cornerback Jermaine Whitehead has an interesting view on how a defense is supposed to work.<br /><br />“A defense is like a picture... or it's like a pie,” Whitehead explains. “You don't want a piece out of the pie. You want the whole pie. That's how the defense is."Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3784605025032268377.post-86649392477087967592011-12-19T20:41:00.002-06:002011-12-19T20:46:55.266-06:00Chizik talks with media after Monday practiceAUBURN - Auburn coach Gene Chizik met with the media following Monday night's practice for the Dec. 31 Chick-fil-A Bowl game. Here's what he had to say.<br /><br />“We had a really good practice tonight. Again, I thought it was uptempo. Went back to a lot of teaching tonight. Had a pretty good full-padded practice (Saturday) and got after it pretty good. Anyway, we had a great practice. Again, we’re going to go pads tomorrow, and get back after some fundamentals and continue to try and grow in that area. We expect fully to have two more good practices before we get out of here.”<br /><br />How much game plan is in?<br /><br />“Piece by piece we’re starting to get there. We’ve got two more days and then we’re going to have four when we get there. We’ll have enough time to get in what we need. Piece by piece, we’ve definitely done that.”<br /><br />Talk about how T'Sharvan Bell seems to have a good attitude about going through the re-hab on his knee.<br /><br />“I think outstanding. I think he has done a really, really good job. You know part of the process of rehabbing from injuries is how you mentally go through it. I don’t think there’s any question he has approached this well. So I think that’s half the battle, but he’s in great spirits as you guys know. I think his rehab is really right on time. Again, I don’t see any reason to believe he’s not going to have a great positive attitude moving forward because he has certainly done that the last couple weeks.”<br /><br />What have you seen from the young guys in bowl practice?<br /><br />“I feel like we’ve gotten better. I feel like a lot of the young guys who actually played a good bit during the year, you give them a little bit of time off and they come back a little more veteran like, but I think they’ve gotten better.”<br /><br />What's the key to your success in bowl games?<br /><br />“I think you have to be really smart in how you proceed in terms of how you’re practicing, how much you’re practicing, how little you’re practicing. Some guys can take it to the other extreme and by the time your team plays they’re tired and beat down. We’re trying to get them to a place where we’re physically and mentally ready, but we’re not overcooked, so to speak. I think we’ve done a good job over the years of managing the time we have with them. And give them the right amount of walk throughs, meeting time and on the field practice time.”Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3784605025032268377.post-38624342343888508322011-12-17T18:26:00.003-06:002011-12-17T18:28:11.890-06:00Trotter's status for next year uncertainBy Charles Bennett<br /><br />AUBURN – With Clint Moseley established as Auburn’s No. 1 quarterback, and freshman Kyle Frazier getting equal reps with Moseley, redshirt junior Barrett Trotter seems to be the odd man out.<br /><br />Auburn coach Gene Chizik said Saturday has had some discussion with Trotter about his future with the program, but nothing definitive.<br /><br />“We've talked on the surface where's he's at, the details of that I'm not going into it,” Chizik said. “We'll talk more when the season ends.”<br /><br />Trotter started the first seven games this season for the Tigers (7-5). He completed 81 of 149 passes (54.4 percent) for 1,009 yards, 10 touchdowns and six interceptions.<br /><br />Moseley has completed 65 of 104 passes (62.5 percent) for 794 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3784605025032268377.post-87657191591505586262011-12-16T22:45:00.002-06:002011-12-16T22:48:22.809-06:00Auburn hands out awardsAUBURN - The Auburn football team held its annual awards dinner Friday night. Listed below are the winners.<br /><br /><br />Awards Voted on by Players<br /><br />Offensive MVP — Emory Blake<br /><br />Defensive MVP — Neiko Thorpe<br /><br />Special Teams MVP — Steven Clark<br /><br />Team MVP — Philip Lutzenkirchen<br /><br /> <br /><br />Awards Voted on by Coaches<br /><br />Special Teams Points Leader — Cody Parkey<br /><br />Outstanding Offensive Newcomer — Reese Dismukes<br /><br />Outstanding Defensive Newcomer — Jermaine Whitehead<br /><br />Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year — Corey Grant<br /><br />Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year — Daniel Pond<br /><br />Academic Eye of the Tiger — Eltoro Freeman<br /><br />Strength and Conditioning MVP — Jared Cooper, Corey GrantUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3784605025032268377.post-92168239340948602282011-12-15T14:56:00.001-06:002011-12-16T20:38:11.997-06:00Auburn works on special teamsAUBURN - Auburn devoted Thursday’s bowl practice strictly to special teams’ work.<br /><br />“Practice was great,” said special teams’ coordinator Jay Boulware. “Coach (Gene) Chizik likes to run our program here at Auburn like an NFL football team. Basically, we had an NFL special teams practice today. It allowed us to hone in on some of the stuff, game-plan wise, and we were also able to go back and refine some of the other things that we haven’t touched on in a while and things that we touch on once a week - hands team, on-side kick team and stuff like that.”<br /><br />Boulware said the practice went well.<br /><br />“It was crisp,” he said. “It was sharp. It was kind of a touch-up in some areas and put some guys in that may have been out before and are healthy now and getting ready to go for the game against Virginia.”<br /><br />The Tigers play Virginia Dec. 31 in the Chick-fil-A Bowl in Atlanta.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3784605025032268377.post-43046462117581111452011-12-14T11:21:00.001-06:002011-12-14T11:24:02.189-06:00Chizik issues statement on Malzahn departureAUBURN - Auburn coach Gene Chizik issued the following statement Wednesday about offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn's departure to take the head coaching job a Arkansas State.<br /><br />Chizik said Malzahn will continue to work with the Tigers through the Dec. 31 Chick-fil-A Bowl game with Virginia.<br /><br />“I’m very happy for Gus and the opportunity that awaits him at Arkansas State. Gus has always had the strong desire to become a head coach and the chance for him to return to his home state that he is so familiar with, will be very beneficial. He’s meant a tremendous amount to our program the past three years, helping our offense and our program achieve unprecedented heights, winning a BCS National Championship and setting countless offensive records. Gus has experienced success in each stop of his coaching career and I have no doubt that he will have similar results at Arkansas State. We look forward to having Gus stay with us through the bowl game and hope to send him out with a victory.”Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3784605025032268377.post-88705634034924219882011-12-13T22:44:00.002-06:002011-12-13T22:46:17.208-06:00Malzahn leaving for Arkansas StateBy Charles Bennett<br /><br />Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn is expected to be named the next head coach at Arkansas State today.<br /><br />Arkansas State has scheduled a news conference for 3:30 p.m. to announce the hiring of a new coach to replace Hugh Freeze who left to take the head coaching job at Ole Miss last week.<br /><br />Whether Malzahn will begin his duties immediately or stay with the Tigers through their Dec. 31 Chick-fil-A Bowl game with Virginia is unknown.<br /><br />If he leaves immediately, the Tigers will be without an offensive or a defensive coordinator. Auburn defensive coordinator Ted Roof left last week to take a similar position at Central Florida.<br /><br />Earlier Tuesday, Auburn coach Gene Chizik, who is presently serving as defensive coordinator, was asked about the possibility that Malzahn would leave for another coaching job before the bowl game.<br /><br />“Gus and I have a great relationship and we’ve had several discussions about moving forward in his career and where his goals are,” Chizik said. “At the end of the day, his decisions are going to be up to him and I’m sure he’s going to make the best decision for him and his family. But we’re very open when we talk about it. Again, if an opportunity arises, I’m sure he’ll do what’s best for him and his family, just like I did.”<br /><br />(FOR MORE, READ WEDNESDAY'S ANNISTON STARUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3784605025032268377.post-19854952515249991702011-12-13T15:48:00.001-06:002011-12-13T15:50:05.309-06:00Clark, Lutzenkirchen honored by SICourtesy of Auburn sports information<br /><br />AUBURN – Auburn punter Steven Clark and tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen were both named to the Sports Illustrated Honorable Mention All-America Team, the magazine announced Tuesday. <br /><br />A native of Kansas City, Mo., Clark has 69 punts this season with an average of 40.5 yards per punt. The sophomore has 32 punts inside the 20, a mark that ranks him tops in the Southeastern Conference and for second in the nation.<br /><br />With 34 fair catches and two touchbacks, only 10 of Clark's punts have even been returned this season for just 62 yards. Of the 10 returns, five have gone for zero or negative yardage. For his efforts this season, Clark has twice been named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Week and was named to the All-SEC First Team.<br /><br />Lutzenkirchen, a native of Marietta, Ga., is third on the team in receiving with 24 catches for 238 yards and seven touchdowns, ranking him third on the team in scoring this season. Just a junior, he holds the Auburn touchdown record for a tight end with 14and holds the single-season record with his seven this season.<br /><br />An All-SEC Second Team selection, Lutzenkirchen is tied for third nationally for touchdowns among tight ends. He has three game-winning touchdown receptions on his career and also helped block for an Auburn rushing attack that tallied 2,097 yards this season.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3784605025032268377.post-66532253705437326232011-12-12T17:03:00.003-06:002011-12-12T17:05:14.962-06:00Pro Football Weekly honors Clark(Courtesty of Auburn sports information)<br /><br />AUBURN - Auburn sophomore punter Steven Clark has been named to the Pro Football Weekly All-America Team, the magazine announced Monday.<br /><br />Clark finished as a finalist last week for the Ray Guy Award and was named to the All-SEC First Team by the league’s head coaches.<br /><br />A native of Kansas City, Mo., Clark has 69 punts this season with an average of 40.5 yards per punt. He has 32 punts inside the 20, a mark that ranks him tops in the Southeastern Conference and for second in the nation.<br /><br />With 34 fair catches and two touchbacks, only 10 of Clark's punts have even been returned this season for just 62 yards. Of the 10 returns, five have gone for zero or negative yardage. For his efforts this season, Clark has twice been named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Week.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3784605025032268377.post-29911228715053506012011-12-12T13:21:00.004-06:002011-12-12T13:43:50.298-06:00Chizik speaks about Dyer situationAuburn coach Gene Chizik briefly addressed the suspension of tailback Mike Dyer while speaking with reporters prior to a press conference Monday in Atlanta for the Chick-fil-A Bowl.<br /><br />"When you see him back in an Auburn jersey, you know he's done everything we've asked him to do," Chizik said.<br /><br />Chizik deflected further questions about Dyer by saying, "I'm not going to talk about the ones who are not here."<br /><br />Auburn had confirmed reports of Dyer's indefnite suspension on Sunday.<br /><br />Dyer, a sophomore who has rushed for more than 1,000 yards each of the last two seasons, will not play in Auburn's Dec. 31 Chick-fil-A Bowl game with Virginia, and his future with the Tigers beyond the bowl game remains uncertain.<br /><br />Junior Onterio McCalebb and freshman Tre Mason are expected to fill Dyer's spot.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3784605025032268377.post-91495623567714549542011-12-11T11:31:00.003-06:002011-12-11T16:20:38.137-06:00Dyer suspended for bowl gameAUBURN – Auburn tailback Mike Dyer has been suspended for the Tigers’ Chick-fil-A Bowl game with Virginia because of an undisclosed violation of team rules.<br /><br />Dyer, a sophomore, has rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons for the Tigers.<br /><br />Auburn officials confirmed the suspension Sunday that was first reported by AuburnUndercover.com, AuburnSports.com and the Birmingham News, but offered no elaboration.<br /><br />Last week, Dyer was selected first-team All-SEC by both the league’s coaches and the Associated Press.<br /><br />Dyer rushed for 1,242 yards this season, second in the SEC behind Heisman candidate Trent Richardson of Alabama.<br /><br />Auburn (7-5) plays Virginia (8-4) at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 31 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3784605025032268377.post-25878299250464713392011-12-10T11:36:00.002-06:002011-12-10T11:39:41.623-06:00Auburn begins search for defensive coordinatorAUBURN - Auburn has spoken with Florida State defensive coordinator Mark Stoops about the Tigers' vacant defensive coordinator's position, according to a report by Al.com.<br /><br />Auburn is seeking to replace Ted Roof, who left last week to take the defensive coordinator's job at Central Florida.<br /><br />In his second season at Florida State, Stoops' defense ranked sixth nationally in total defense, including second in rushing defense and 18th against the pass.<br /><br />Other coaches whom Auburn is apparently interested in include South Carolina defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson and former North Carolina interim head coach Everett Withers.<br /><br />Auburn head coach Gene Chizik is serving as defensive coordinator for the Tigers as they begin preparations for their Dec. 31 Chick-fil-A Bowl game with Virginia.<br /><br />Chizik has indicated there is no timetable in place for naming Roof's successor.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3784605025032268377.post-86403620712623070992011-12-08T14:42:00.001-06:002011-12-08T14:43:42.140-06:00Auburn's Dismukes earns post-season honors(Courtesy of Auburn sports information)<br /><br />AUBURN – Auburn freshman center Reese Dismukes picked up a pair of post-season awards Thursday as he was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team and the CBS Sports Freshman All-America Team.<br /> <br />A native of Spanish Fort, Ala., Dismukes started all 12 games at center for the Tigers and was the first Auburn true freshman to start at center in four years. A mainstay on the Auburn offensive line this season, Dismukes helped the Tigers rush for 2,097 yards this season, ranking fourth in the SEC. The Tigers rushed for more than 200 yards in six games this season, including a season-high 291 yards at Arkansas.<br /> <br />He also helped block for running back Michael Dyer, a first-team All-SEC selection, as he rushed for 1,242 yards on the season, enough for second in the SEC and 10th all-time at Auburn.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3784605025032268377.post-60400881251424625712011-12-08T13:37:00.000-06:002011-12-08T13:38:16.763-06:00Chizik will fill Roof's spot for bowl gameAUBURN – With the departure of Ted Roof, Auburn coach Gene Chizik will serve as the Tigers’ defensive coordinator for the Dec. 31 Chick-fil-A showdown with Virginia.<br /><br />Chizik said Thursday he will be patient in making the hire and doesn’t feel any particular sense of urgency to replace Roof, who left to take the defensive coordinator’s job at Central Florida.<br /><br />“I’ll be serving as defensive coordinator for the bowl game,” Chizik said. “Timelines, I don’t put timelines out there for any of those types of issues. We’re always going to take our time and do our due diligence when it comes to finding the right fit for Auburn. So we’ll do that. But I will be serving as the defensive coordinator for this game.”Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3784605025032268377.post-34397586305589971372011-12-08T11:44:00.002-06:002011-12-08T11:45:53.871-06:00Chizik responds to Roof's depatureAUBURN - Auburn head coach Gene Chizik issued the following statement Thursday regarding the departure of defensive coordinator Ted Roof for a similar position at Central Florida.<br /><br />“Ted has played an important role in the success of our football program, helping Auburn win 29 games in three years, including a national championship last season," Chizik said. "I’m very appreciative of the passion, energy and work ethic Ted brought to the program every day. I know that this will be a great opportunity for Ted to be reunited with his mentor in George O’Leary and we wish him and his family nothing but the best at UCF.”Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0