(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.”
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
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.”
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.”
Friday, December 30, 2011
Chizik: Dyer's status unchanged
ATLANTA – The status of suspended Auburn tailback Mike Dyer has not changed, according to Auburn coach Gene Chizik.
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.
“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.”
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.
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.
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.
“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.”
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.
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.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
What Auburn's coaches are saying about the Cavs
ATLANTA - 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.
Thigpen analyzed Virginia's offense, while Malzahn discussed the Cavaliers' defense. Here'w what they had to say:
Thigpen on Virginia's offense
"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.
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."
Malzahn on Virginia's defense
"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."
Thigpen analyzed Virginia's offense, while Malzahn discussed the Cavaliers' defense. Here'w what they had to say:
Thigpen on Virginia's offense
"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.
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."
Malzahn on Virginia's defense
"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."
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Lolley talks about Chizik as DC
AUBURN Auburn's assistant coaches met with the media after Wednesday's bowl practice for Saturday's Chick-fil-A Bowl game with Virginia.
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.
Here's what Lolley had to say:
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.
"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.
"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.
Is it fun for you?
"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.
"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.
Is it a return to the old Chizik?
"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."
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.
Here's what Lolley had to say:
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.
"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.
"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.
Is it fun for you?
"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.
"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.
Is it a return to the old Chizik?
"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."
Auburn will face Texas A&M in 2012
(Courtesy of Auburn sports information)
AUBURN — Auburn football’s 2012 Southeastern Conference schedule has been released by the league office.
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).
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.
The Tigers’ SEC road schedule will be games at Mississippi State (Sept. 8), Ole Miss (Oct. 13), Vanderbilt (Oct. 20), and Alabama (Nov. 24).
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.
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.
2012 AUBURN FOOTBALL SEC SCHEDULE
Sept. 8 at Mississippi State
Sept. 22 LSU
Oct. 6 ARKANSAS
Oct. 13 at Ole Miss
Oct. 20 at Vanderbilt
Oct. 27 TEXAS A&M
Nov. 10 GEORGIA
Nov. 24 at Alabama
AUBURN — Auburn football’s 2012 Southeastern Conference schedule has been released by the league office.
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).
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.
The Tigers’ SEC road schedule will be games at Mississippi State (Sept. 8), Ole Miss (Oct. 13), Vanderbilt (Oct. 20), and Alabama (Nov. 24).
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.
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.
2012 AUBURN FOOTBALL SEC SCHEDULE
Sept. 8 at Mississippi State
Sept. 22 LSU
Oct. 6 ARKANSAS
Oct. 13 at Ole Miss
Oct. 20 at Vanderbilt
Oct. 27 TEXAS A&M
Nov. 10 GEORGIA
Nov. 24 at Alabama
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Auburn defense has its swagger back
ATLANTA – 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.
Must be that new defensive coordinator.
(FOR MORE, READ WEDNESDAY'S ANNISTON STAR)
Must be that new defensive coordinator.
(FOR MORE, READ WEDNESDAY'S ANNISTON STAR)
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