AUBURN -- Make that two Ben Tate touchdowns, eight and 10 yards, and Kodi Burns just struck with a 28-yard touchdown lead to Robert Dunn.
And who is this Anthony Jemison kid? The walk-on running back looks pretty good for a walk-on running back who's not even on the roster.
Maybe it's because the McCalla product is wearing former Tiger Carnell Williams' No. 24. Or maybe it's because he just spun away from starting linebacker Craig Stevens.
Don't look now, but Neil Caudle is finally seeing action. It's 23-0, Blue.
Make it halftime, and it's 23-0, Blue. Caudle did some nice things running out of the pocket and threw a couple of nice balls.
According to halftime stats, Burns and Chris Todd have combined to complete 19 of 24 passes for 249 yards and one touchdown. They're considered co-first-team quarterbacks, so their stats count for Blue.
Caudle counts for White, and he's 5-for-11 for 26 yards. Perhaps it's unfair that the coaches didn't let White have the ball until late in the second quarter.
... We just got more detailed halftime stats. Burns was 10-for-12 for 111 yards and a touchdown, and Todd was 9-for-12 for 115 yards. Of 318 total yards, 253 came through the air. Dunn, who missed a lot of practice time because of morning classes, had three catches for 52 yards and a touchdown at the half.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
A-Day first-quarter notes
AUBURN -- Nothing overwhelming so far. Quarterbacks Kodi Burns and Chris Todd have thrown some nice balls, but neither has sustained a long drive.
A Wes Byrum field goal and a short Ben Tate touchdown run account for all of the scoring so far.
One interesting note: Tristan Davis saw his first game action at running back after switching from safety permanently last season. Toe and foot injuries kept him out of all but three games last season, and all of his action came on kickoff returns.
A Wes Byrum field goal and a short Ben Tate touchdown run account for all of the scoring so far.
One interesting note: Tristan Davis saw his first game action at running back after switching from safety permanently last season. Toe and foot injuries kept him out of all but three games last season, and all of his action came on kickoff returns.
A-Day notes
SPRING AWARDS: Wadley product Terrell Zachery, a sophomore wide receiver, picked up a major spring practice award as the most improved offensive skill player.
Zachery caught 13 passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns in Auburn’s first two scrimmages. This after he saw out last season while working to restore his academic eligibility.
Zachery signed with Auburn in 2006, after setting the state record with 4,410 career receiving yards at Wadley High School.
Other award winners included guard Byron Isom (most improved offensive lineman), defensive end Michael Goggans (most improved defensive lineman), Chris Evans (most improved linebacker), cornerack Walter McFadden (most improved defensive back), defensive end Antonio Coleman (offseason conditioning), center Jason Bosley (leadership; top GPA), tight end Tommy Trott (attitude and effort, offense; most improved GPA), defensive tackle Sen’Derrick Marks (attitude and effort), linebacker Wade Christopher (top freshman GPA).
SEASON AWARDS: Auburn announced individual award winners from the 2007 season. They were tight end Cole Bennett (Shug Jordan Award), defensive tackle Josh Thompson (Mike Kolen Award), cornerback Jerraud Powers (Zeke Smith Defensive Player of the Year), guard Tyronne Green (Ken Rice Best Blocking Lineman) and quarterback Brandon Cox (Pat Sullivan Offensive Player of the Year).
INJURY REPORT: Eight players sat out of Saturday’s A-Day, including defensive tackle Mike Blanc (concussion), defensive end Antonio Coleman (neck), receiver/running back Mario Fannin (separated shoulder), defensive end Raven Gray (knee), wide receiver Tim Hawthorne (broken arm), offensive guard Chaz Ramsey (sore back), defensive tackle Jake Ricks (broken hand) and defensive end Darrell Roseman (shin splits).
Zachery caught 13 passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns in Auburn’s first two scrimmages. This after he saw out last season while working to restore his academic eligibility.
Zachery signed with Auburn in 2006, after setting the state record with 4,410 career receiving yards at Wadley High School.
Other award winners included guard Byron Isom (most improved offensive lineman), defensive end Michael Goggans (most improved defensive lineman), Chris Evans (most improved linebacker), cornerack Walter McFadden (most improved defensive back), defensive end Antonio Coleman (offseason conditioning), center Jason Bosley (leadership; top GPA), tight end Tommy Trott (attitude and effort, offense; most improved GPA), defensive tackle Sen’Derrick Marks (attitude and effort), linebacker Wade Christopher (top freshman GPA).
SEASON AWARDS: Auburn announced individual award winners from the 2007 season. They were tight end Cole Bennett (Shug Jordan Award), defensive tackle Josh Thompson (Mike Kolen Award), cornerback Jerraud Powers (Zeke Smith Defensive Player of the Year), guard Tyronne Green (Ken Rice Best Blocking Lineman) and quarterback Brandon Cox (Pat Sullivan Offensive Player of the Year).
INJURY REPORT: Eight players sat out of Saturday’s A-Day, including defensive tackle Mike Blanc (concussion), defensive end Antonio Coleman (neck), receiver/running back Mario Fannin (separated shoulder), defensive end Raven Gray (knee), wide receiver Tim Hawthorne (broken arm), offensive guard Chaz Ramsey (sore back), defensive tackle Jake Ricks (broken hand) and defensive end Darrell Roseman (shin splits).
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
A-Day activities schedule announced
This from Auburn athletics media relations:
AUBURN A-DAY AND ACTIVITIES SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 29
AUBURN—Auburn’s annual spring football game, A-Day, will be held this Saturday, March 29 at 1 p.m. CT at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Tickets for Saturday’s game are $5 and will be available for purchase at the west will-call booth on the west side of Jordan-Hare Stadium and at the southeast ticket booth on the east side of the stadium. The Lettermen’s Club will also be selling tickets at stations outside the east and west open gates.
Auburn University students presenting a valid ID will receive free admission and will enter at the student gates on the stadium’s east side.
Tickets may be purchased at the Auburn Ticket Office located at Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum this week from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tickets are also available at the Auburn University Bookstore, Anders Bookstore, Big Blue Bookstore and both J&M Bookstore locations.
Gates will open at 11 a.m. on both the west and east sides ofthe stadium. On the west side, Gates 12, 13, 15 and 16 will be open, while on the east side, Gates 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 will be open.
General public seating inside the stadium will be available in the lower bowl of Jordan-Hare Stadium, with the exception of sections 37-44 (north end zone). Also, both upper decks will be closed.
The game will feature four 12-minute quarters. The first-team offense will represent the blue team, while the second-team offense will score points for the white team.
The game will be televised on tape delay by Comcast Sports Southeast. Re-air dates are scheduled for March 29 at 6 p.m. CT and April 3 at 6 p.m.
On the air waves, fans can listen to the game locally on WKKR97.7 FM beginning at 1 p.m.
The Tiger Team Village featuring interactive games, and other activities will be open on the coliseum lawn from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. TheTiger Team Village is free and open to the public.
The Auburn baseball, softball and men’s tennis teams will all be in action at home during A-Day weekend.
The baseball team will host Tennessee for a three game series at Plainsman Park. Friday’s game starts at 6 p.m., with Saturday’s contest beginning at 3 p.m. Sunday’s series finale is slated for a 2 p.m. first pitch. Single-game tickets are available for $10.
The Tigers’ softball team also hosts Tennessee with the series starting Saturday with a doubleheader at 4 p.m. Sunday’s game at Jane B. Moore Field begins at 1 p.m.
Auburn’s men’s tennis team will host Tennessee on Friday at 5 p.m. and Georgia on Sunday at 2 p.m. All matches will be played at the Yarbrough Tennis Center.
Admission to Auburn softball and tennis events are free.
A-DAY QUICK FACTS
Will Call/Media Will Call West Will Call Booth: 10 a.m.
Media Entrance: Gate 20 (Northwest corner)
Public Entrance: West side, Gates 12, 13, 15, 16 and East side, Gates 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Gate Opens: 11 a.m.
Kickoff: 1 p.m.
Game Format: Four, 12-minute quarters
Public Seating: Lower bowl of Jordan-Hare Stadium with exception of gates 37-44 (north end zone); Upper decks will be closed
Tickets: General Public, $5. AU Students, Free with valid ID (enter at student gates)
Television: CSS (Comcast Sports Southeast), Tape Delay. CSS Re-airs Sat., March 29 at 6 p.m. CT and Thur., April 3 at 6 p.m. CT
Radio: Abbeville, WESZ, 98.7-FM; Auburn-Opelika, WKKR 97.7-FM; Birmingham, WJOX 100.5-FM; Fairhope, WABF 1220-AM; Foley, WHEP 1310-AM; Fort Payne, WZOB 1250-AM; Gadsden, WGAD 930-AM; Guntersville, WTWX 95.9-FM; Roanke/LaGrange, Ga. WELR 102.3-FM; Selma, WDXX 100.1-FM; Talladega/Anniston, WTDR 92.7-FM.
Tiger Team Village: 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Coliseum Lawn
AUBURN A-DAY AND ACTIVITIES SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 29
AUBURN—Auburn’s annual spring football game, A-Day, will be held this Saturday, March 29 at 1 p.m. CT at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Tickets for Saturday’s game are $5 and will be available for purchase at the west will-call booth on the west side of Jordan-Hare Stadium and at the southeast ticket booth on the east side of the stadium. The Lettermen’s Club will also be selling tickets at stations outside the east and west open gates.
Auburn University students presenting a valid ID will receive free admission and will enter at the student gates on the stadium’s east side.
Tickets may be purchased at the Auburn Ticket Office located at Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum this week from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tickets are also available at the Auburn University Bookstore, Anders Bookstore, Big Blue Bookstore and both J&M Bookstore locations.
Gates will open at 11 a.m. on both the west and east sides ofthe stadium. On the west side, Gates 12, 13, 15 and 16 will be open, while on the east side, Gates 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 will be open.
General public seating inside the stadium will be available in the lower bowl of Jordan-Hare Stadium, with the exception of sections 37-44 (north end zone). Also, both upper decks will be closed.
The game will feature four 12-minute quarters. The first-team offense will represent the blue team, while the second-team offense will score points for the white team.
The game will be televised on tape delay by Comcast Sports Southeast. Re-air dates are scheduled for March 29 at 6 p.m. CT and April 3 at 6 p.m.
On the air waves, fans can listen to the game locally on WKKR97.7 FM beginning at 1 p.m.
The Tiger Team Village featuring interactive games, and other activities will be open on the coliseum lawn from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. TheTiger Team Village is free and open to the public.
The Auburn baseball, softball and men’s tennis teams will all be in action at home during A-Day weekend.
The baseball team will host Tennessee for a three game series at Plainsman Park. Friday’s game starts at 6 p.m., with Saturday’s contest beginning at 3 p.m. Sunday’s series finale is slated for a 2 p.m. first pitch. Single-game tickets are available for $10.
The Tigers’ softball team also hosts Tennessee with the series starting Saturday with a doubleheader at 4 p.m. Sunday’s game at Jane B. Moore Field begins at 1 p.m.
Auburn’s men’s tennis team will host Tennessee on Friday at 5 p.m. and Georgia on Sunday at 2 p.m. All matches will be played at the Yarbrough Tennis Center.
Admission to Auburn softball and tennis events are free.
A-DAY QUICK FACTS
Will Call/Media Will Call West Will Call Booth: 10 a.m.
Media Entrance: Gate 20 (Northwest corner)
Public Entrance: West side, Gates 12, 13, 15, 16 and East side, Gates 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Gate Opens: 11 a.m.
Kickoff: 1 p.m.
Game Format: Four, 12-minute quarters
Public Seating: Lower bowl of Jordan-Hare Stadium with exception of gates 37-44 (north end zone); Upper decks will be closed
Tickets: General Public, $5. AU Students, Free with valid ID (enter at student gates)
Television: CSS (Comcast Sports Southeast), Tape Delay. CSS Re-airs Sat., March 29 at 6 p.m. CT and Thur., April 3 at 6 p.m. CT
Radio: Abbeville, WESZ, 98.7-FM; Auburn-Opelika, WKKR 97.7-FM; Birmingham, WJOX 100.5-FM; Fairhope, WABF 1220-AM; Foley, WHEP 1310-AM; Fort Payne, WZOB 1250-AM; Gadsden, WGAD 930-AM; Guntersville, WTWX 95.9-FM; Roanke/LaGrange, Ga. WELR 102.3-FM; Selma, WDXX 100.1-FM; Talladega/Anniston, WTDR 92.7-FM.
Tiger Team Village: 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Coliseum Lawn
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Lineup moves for Savage, offensive linemen
AUBURN -- News and notes from Auburn's Tuesday morning football practice, the team's first after a 12-day break for spring break:
-- CB Aairon Savage moved to the first-team defense. A former starter at safety, he changed positions at the start of spring practice and has adjusted well enough to move to No. 1, ahead of Walter McFadden.
-- On the offensive line, coach Hugh Nall made temporary moves to work players at different positions. He moved starting right tackle Ryan Pugh to backup center and moved backup center Mike Berry out to right tackle, behind Andrew McCain. Nall said Berry has had enough work at center, and all wants to get Pugh time there. Nall wants to have three good options at center. Veteran Jason Bosley remains the No. 1 center, and Pugh will be the No. 1 right tackle.
-- Running backs Ben Tate and Brad Lester practiced Tuesday after missing all or part of spring practice. Tate was back after battling ankle and hamstring injuries. Lester was held out of the last scrimmage because the coaching staff wanted to look more at the passing game. Both running backs are expected to play in Saturday's A-Day game.
-- Auburn offensive coordinator Tony Franklin said sophomore Kodi Burns and junior-college transfer Chris Todd are rotating as the No. 1 quarterback, and that he considers the two co-starters. Franklin said that's how things will work in Saturday's A-Day game and that competition will carry into the summer. Neil Caudle is a backup for the two, and true freshman DeRon Furr has "a long way to go" to be ready.
-- Defensive end Antonio Coleman will undergo an examination on his neck later this week. Pending results, he could play in Saturday's A-Day game. He's been out since sustaining a cervical sprain in Auburn's March 1 scrimmage.
More in Wednesday's Star.
-- CB Aairon Savage moved to the first-team defense. A former starter at safety, he changed positions at the start of spring practice and has adjusted well enough to move to No. 1, ahead of Walter McFadden.
-- On the offensive line, coach Hugh Nall made temporary moves to work players at different positions. He moved starting right tackle Ryan Pugh to backup center and moved backup center Mike Berry out to right tackle, behind Andrew McCain. Nall said Berry has had enough work at center, and all wants to get Pugh time there. Nall wants to have three good options at center. Veteran Jason Bosley remains the No. 1 center, and Pugh will be the No. 1 right tackle.
-- Running backs Ben Tate and Brad Lester practiced Tuesday after missing all or part of spring practice. Tate was back after battling ankle and hamstring injuries. Lester was held out of the last scrimmage because the coaching staff wanted to look more at the passing game. Both running backs are expected to play in Saturday's A-Day game.
-- Auburn offensive coordinator Tony Franklin said sophomore Kodi Burns and junior-college transfer Chris Todd are rotating as the No. 1 quarterback, and that he considers the two co-starters. Franklin said that's how things will work in Saturday's A-Day game and that competition will carry into the summer. Neil Caudle is a backup for the two, and true freshman DeRon Furr has "a long way to go" to be ready.
-- Defensive end Antonio Coleman will undergo an examination on his neck later this week. Pending results, he could play in Saturday's A-Day game. He's been out since sustaining a cervical sprain in Auburn's March 1 scrimmage.
More in Wednesday's Star.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
A better day for Slater, Auburn baseball
Though Auburn lost Sunday's baseball series finale against No. 2 Kentucky, the Tigers won two of three games in the series.
It came at a good time for fourth-year head coach Tom Slater, who needs a breakthrough season after needing a vote of confidence from his boss late last season.
Though I don't put too much stock in message-board chatter, it can give you an idea of where the most ardent members of a fan base stand. A week ago this time, some posters on autigers.com and AuburnSports.com stood beyond Slater. They weren't asking IF he should be fired; they were listing possible replacements.
That after Auburn suffered a sweep at Florida. A week ago this time, Auburn was 0-7 against SEC-caliber competition, including a four-game sweep at the hands of non-conference power Florida State.
Now, Auburn fans have something else to ponder. Auburn won a series against a previously unbeaten SEC team. Kentucky was ranked between No. 2 and the teens in various college baseball polls.
A quick Sunday check of message boards shows comments like this: "Sounds like Slater has righted the ship, congrats to staff and players."
Other posts included "Not so fast on Slater" and "I say he has to have a winning SEC record and get to the SEC tourney."
Slater is out of the woods. Last week was too early in the season to declare him outta here, and this week is too early to declare him rehabilitated.
Auburn is 14-9 overall, 2-4 SEC. With 24 regular-season SEC games ahead, the season can still go either way.
But it appears the Kentucky series left more open minds that were closing.
One encouraging sign for Auburn was the success of the Tigers' starting pitchers on Friday and Saturday. Playing a team that was leading the SEC in nearly every significant statistical category, Auburn won Friday's opener 2-0 thanks in part to Grant Dayton's six-inning outing. The Tigers won the Saturday game 7-5 thanks in part to Cory Luckie's an eight-inning outing.
Luke Greinke didn't fare so well Sunday, but Auburn rallied from a 9-2 hole and had the tying run on base in the eighth and ninth innings.
All in all, it was a good weekend for Auburn baseball and its coach.
It came at a good time for fourth-year head coach Tom Slater, who needs a breakthrough season after needing a vote of confidence from his boss late last season.
Though I don't put too much stock in message-board chatter, it can give you an idea of where the most ardent members of a fan base stand. A week ago this time, some posters on autigers.com and AuburnSports.com stood beyond Slater. They weren't asking IF he should be fired; they were listing possible replacements.
That after Auburn suffered a sweep at Florida. A week ago this time, Auburn was 0-7 against SEC-caliber competition, including a four-game sweep at the hands of non-conference power Florida State.
Now, Auburn fans have something else to ponder. Auburn won a series against a previously unbeaten SEC team. Kentucky was ranked between No. 2 and the teens in various college baseball polls.
A quick Sunday check of message boards shows comments like this: "Sounds like Slater has righted the ship, congrats to staff and players."
Other posts included "Not so fast on Slater" and "I say he has to have a winning SEC record and get to the SEC tourney."
Slater is out of the woods. Last week was too early in the season to declare him outta here, and this week is too early to declare him rehabilitated.
Auburn is 14-9 overall, 2-4 SEC. With 24 regular-season SEC games ahead, the season can still go either way.
But it appears the Kentucky series left more open minds that were closing.
One encouraging sign for Auburn was the success of the Tigers' starting pitchers on Friday and Saturday. Playing a team that was leading the SEC in nearly every significant statistical category, Auburn won Friday's opener 2-0 thanks in part to Grant Dayton's six-inning outing. The Tigers won the Saturday game 7-5 thanks in part to Cory Luckie's an eight-inning outing.
Luke Greinke didn't fare so well Sunday, but Auburn rallied from a 9-2 hole and had the tying run on base in the eighth and ninth innings.
All in all, it was a good weekend for Auburn baseball and its coach.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Talkin' Toppers
Well, if you've read this blog for a while (or just seen my bio on The Star's home page) you know I'm a proud Western Kentucky grad ... prouder today than on most days.
It's interesting for me because I covered Western head coach Darrin Horn and assistant Cypheus Bunton as players at Western ... and it's precisely because of them that I think WKU could move deeper into the tournament.
Horn and Bunton are young, but they've been there. They played on Western teams that advance to the 1993 NCAA Sweet 16 and won in the first round in 1995 before putting a scare into Kansas.
In 1993, Western opened the tournament by eliminating Memphis and Penny Hardaway in Orlando. It was Hardaway's final college game.
The next victim was No. 2 seed Seton Hall, coached by P.J. Carlisemo. The Pirates had Danny Hurley (Bobby's brother), Terry Dehere and 7-foot-2 Luther Wright.
Those wins got Western to Charlotte, where the Tops took Florida State into overtime. That FSU team had future NBA players Charlie Ward, Bob Sura and Sam Cassell.
Western caught a tough break when point guard Mark Bell fouled out on a charge in overtime, giving way to freshman Michael Fraliex. Still, Bunton had a 3-point try to tie, and it bounced twice on the rim before falling off.
FSU won, 81-78.
In 1995, Fraliex hit a shot to force overtime against Michigan in Dayton. Western controlled the overtime and ended the college careers of the final two Fab Fivers ... Jimmy King and Ray Jackson.
Heavily favored Kansas won in the second round, 75-70.
I tell you all of this to make the point that Horn and Bunton have been there, and Western has been there. That and the fact that UConn lost in the first round makes Western more likely to get to the Sweet 16.
Just my humble opinion, and a disclaimer: The Star and I are not responsible for money wagered and lost.
Oh, and in the interest of full disclosure, I was at the helm of the sports section Friday night. Western got the big play on the front page, but will anyone argue that the Tops' upset of Drake was the biggest and most dramatic game of the day?
It led ESPN SportsCenter's NCAA coverage for a reason, and it just so happened that the game fell on my watch.
It was nice, though. It also took me back to memories from my time covering my alma mater as the sports editor of the Bowling Green Daily News.
And while I'm at it, a special shout out to two former assistant coaches from those 90s Western teams. Marquette head coach Tom Crean and Kent State's Jimmy Christian got there teams into the tournament this year, and Crean's Warriors advanced.
Happy tournament watching, and happy Easter.
It's interesting for me because I covered Western head coach Darrin Horn and assistant Cypheus Bunton as players at Western ... and it's precisely because of them that I think WKU could move deeper into the tournament.
Horn and Bunton are young, but they've been there. They played on Western teams that advance to the 1993 NCAA Sweet 16 and won in the first round in 1995 before putting a scare into Kansas.
In 1993, Western opened the tournament by eliminating Memphis and Penny Hardaway in Orlando. It was Hardaway's final college game.
The next victim was No. 2 seed Seton Hall, coached by P.J. Carlisemo. The Pirates had Danny Hurley (Bobby's brother), Terry Dehere and 7-foot-2 Luther Wright.
Those wins got Western to Charlotte, where the Tops took Florida State into overtime. That FSU team had future NBA players Charlie Ward, Bob Sura and Sam Cassell.
Western caught a tough break when point guard Mark Bell fouled out on a charge in overtime, giving way to freshman Michael Fraliex. Still, Bunton had a 3-point try to tie, and it bounced twice on the rim before falling off.
FSU won, 81-78.
In 1995, Fraliex hit a shot to force overtime against Michigan in Dayton. Western controlled the overtime and ended the college careers of the final two Fab Fivers ... Jimmy King and Ray Jackson.
Heavily favored Kansas won in the second round, 75-70.
I tell you all of this to make the point that Horn and Bunton have been there, and Western has been there. That and the fact that UConn lost in the first round makes Western more likely to get to the Sweet 16.
Just my humble opinion, and a disclaimer: The Star and I are not responsible for money wagered and lost.
Oh, and in the interest of full disclosure, I was at the helm of the sports section Friday night. Western got the big play on the front page, but will anyone argue that the Tops' upset of Drake was the biggest and most dramatic game of the day?
It led ESPN SportsCenter's NCAA coverage for a reason, and it just so happened that the game fell on my watch.
It was nice, though. It also took me back to memories from my time covering my alma mater as the sports editor of the Bowling Green Daily News.
And while I'm at it, a special shout out to two former assistant coaches from those 90s Western teams. Marquette head coach Tom Crean and Kent State's Jimmy Christian got there teams into the tournament this year, and Crean's Warriors advanced.
Happy tournament watching, and happy Easter.
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