Auburn RB Onterio McCalebb's eyebrow-raising, eye-opening performance caught attention away from the Plains as well.
Here's the official release:
AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn freshman running back Onterio McCalebb has been named the Southeastern Conference Football Freshman of the Week, the league office announced Monday.
McCalebb rushed for 148 yards on 22 carries with a touchdown during Auburn’s season-opening 37-13 victory over Louisiana Tech last Saturday. He also added 49 yards on two kickoff returns, giving him an SEC-leading 197 all-purpose yards.
McCalebb became the first Auburn freshman to have a 100-yard rushing game in a season opener since Bo Jackson rushed for 123 yards against Wake Forest in 1982. McCalebb’s total was the highest ever for an Auburn freshman in a season opener, and the seventh highest total by an Auburn freshman in any game.
After totaling 40 yards on the ground during the first half in just six carries, McCalebb exploded for 108 yards on 16 rushes, including a 3-yard touchdown, in the second half. Five of his 22 carries, including four in the second half, went for at least 10 yards.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Sunday notes
Gene Chizik’s straight-laced, down-to-business demeanor has been well documented since he took over as Auburn’s head coach.A day after Chizik’s first victory as the Tigers coach, he admitted he took some time to enjoy his debut as he does after most wins while also joking about his media persona.
“I do. Believe it or not, I laugh and I joke with my kids,” Chizik said during Sunday’s teleconference. “I really do. I have a really good time.
“My personality actually comes out. It’s really fun. It really it is.”
The celebration started in the locker room, where the team awarded Chizik with a game ball to commemorate his first win as Auburn’s head coach.
Enjoying life after Auburn’s 37-13 win over Louisiana Tech on Saturday shouldn’t have been especially difficult, even if it was a prelude to the more daunting SEC schedule.
... For more, read tomorrow's story in The Anniston Star.
A few Auburn players were nowhere to be seen on the sidelines during the Tigers’ 37-13 Saturday night victory, leading some speculation as to why.
Auburn coach Gene Chizik said Sunday not to “read anything into that.”
“A lot of guys who are injured don’t want to be down there,” Chizik said. “It’s hard on them. Sometimes when they’re injured, they don’t want to come to the game.”
WRs Montez Billings and Philip Pierre-Louis, RB Eric Smith, DEs Antoine Carter and Cameron Henderson and LB Eltoro Freeman were not on the sidelines.
Several injured players, such as QB Barrett Trotter, S Mike McNeil and WR Tim Hawthorne, did not dress, but still wore their jerseys on the sidelines.
Billings missed the game because the NCAA declared him ineligible for the first four games. Smith is facing disciplinary action stemming from his August arrest.
Pierre-Louis, Henderson, Carter and Freeman, though, did not face any declared disciplinary actions. Carter and Freeman both nursed injuries through training camp.
Chizik said Freeman was “really close” to being able to play. Ultimately, the training staff decided to hold him out.
“You’ve just got to use some good judgment and get some clarity of mind with these guys, because you don’t want to put him back in there and lose him for three more games,” Chizik said. “It’s a fine line. He’s close to being ready. We don’t feel like he’s 100 percent, so you’re going to get used to some other names in there.”
True freshman DE Nosa Eguae also missed the first game. Eguae, who was expected to play, wore his jersey on the sideline, but had his right foot in a walking boot.
Chizik said Eguae would be day-to-day.
RETURNING TO THE START: Mario Fannin struggled in his first day as a collegiate punt returner.
As a result of two disastrous punts, he might not fill that role any longer.
Fannin dropped one punt, which teammate Chris Humphries recovered, and let another that he could have caught take a Louisiana Tech bounce.
When the Bulldogs punted again, true freshman Anthony Gulley was back to return.
“We’re certainly going to have to look at that really close,” Chizik said. “That’s one of those things that's really hard to determine. If you watch the first game every year, that’s probably what you see the most – punt returners bobbling kicks.”
Chizik said that while he plans to re-evaluate the return situation, the unit needs to be better at preventing gunners to get down the field as well.
DIFFERENT ROLES: Chizik said Sunday that he doesn’t want any of his coaches watching the game.
Instead, they are all in charge of watching a specific element.
“You’ve got to do your job. They can watch the game on TV the next day,” Chizik said. “We’re working and we’re specifically looking at things that we need to be paying attention to.”
He also said splitting the assignments helped lead to Auburn’s 93-yard touchdown pass from Chris Todd to Terrell Zachery because coaches noticed the corners and safeties play more aggressively.
As for Chizik, he said he watches different elements of the game.
“I focus on different things in the game that I can contribute based on what I see, and they change,” he said. “I’ve called a game for 14 years myself, so I know how you can get lost in calling that game and not really seeing all the things around you at times. So I try to be that guy that looks at everything around, and I can tell the play-callers, ‘Here’s what we see. We need to think about this, we need to think about that,’ because I’m not so submerged in every call. It’s different – totally different.”
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Auburn 37, Louisiana Tech 13
We'll have plenty of time for more analysis tomorrow, but here's the start to my story appearing in tomorrow's Anniston Star:
The unpopular head-coaching hire and the quarterback Auburn cast aside midway through last season teamed together Saturday night for a season opening win.
Yet it was a true freshman that stole the show during the Tigers’ 37-13 victory over Louisiana Tech at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Chris Todd threw for 255 yards and a pair of touchdowns. His effort helped Gene Chizik win his first game as Auburn’s head coach and break his personal 10-game losing streak.
Tailback Onterio McCalebb upstaged them both by rushing for 148 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries.
In doing so, McCalebb became the first Auburn freshman to rush for 100 yards in his debut since Bo Jackson accomplished the feat in 1982.
For more, read tomorrow's Anniston Star.
Here's a look at my sidebar as well:
Terrell Zachery toiled away for his first three seasons as an Auburn reserve, wondering when he would get his chance.
It got to the point where Zachery contemplated transferring away from the program last season. He ultimately stayed when a new coaching staff offered him a fresh start.
Saturday night, the junior made the most of it, helping lead the Tigers to a 37-13 win over Louisiana Tech at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
On one play, Zachery showed the explosive play-making ability that made him The Star’s Player of the Year in 2005, when he was a record-setting senior at Wadley.
That play, a 93-yard touchdown reception, set a record for the longest play in program history. It also essentially iced the game for the Tigers in coach Gene Chizik’s debut.
You can read more of that in tomorrow's Anniston Star as well.
As for my immediate thoughts:
- First of all, Auburn was impressive tonight -- especially in the second half. I thought this would be a close contest all the way through. Instead, the Tigers dominated after halftime. Let's not say this team is headed for greatness yet. Instead, let's wait for a few SEC games to be played. This was, however, about as perfect a debut as Auburn fans could have hoped for from Chizik.
- How about Auburn's newcomers? Not only McCalebb, but DT Nick Fairley and FS Daren Bates as well. The latter two combined for Auburn's only takeaways.
- QB Chris Todd looked good. Not only can he make the throws, but he can manage the game for Gus Malzahn.
- The Wildcat works. Not only does is utilize the speed and athleticism of Kodi Burns, it also puts McCalebb in a position to make plays with his quickness. I think this will be a nice way to keep defenses off balance.
- Malzahn wasn't kidding about his offensive pace. The Tigers were moving the ball quickly. It was hard to keep track of the plays and which players were checking in because the offense moved so quickly.
- The defense didn't play great in terms of avoiding penalties, but it flew to the ball very well. Auburn did a great job slowing down a good rushing attack.
Eguae's status in doubt
True freshman DE Nosa Eguae went through Tiger Walk with a walking boot on his right foot. He was expected to play a significant role in Auburn's opener tonight against Louisiana Tech.
Auburn coach Gene Chizik does not talk about injuries, so this comes as a surprise on game day.
Auburn coach Gene Chizik does not talk about injuries, so this comes as a surprise on game day.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Wednesday's notes
Auburn coach Gene Chizik isn't the only staff member with a checklist of questions he wants answered during Saturday's game.
Here's a look at what three offensive coaches want to see:
OL coach Jeff Grimes: "I want to see how tough our guys are. We talk about it all the time -- being a tough, physical offensive line -- one that dominates the line of scrimmage." He also wants to see how the line responds to surprises. Grimes thinks the linemen are prepared for what Louisiana Tech showed last year, but expects surprises. He wants to see how his players handle the unexpected and how they adjust.
WRs coach Trooper Taylor: Like most Auburn fans, Taylor wants to see which of his receivers will emerge as playmakers during the game. He's also interested to see how they are able to handle the fast-paced offense for an entire game.
Offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn: As could be expected, Malzahn is mostly interested in how his offense fares in terms of not turning the ball over. He also wants to avoid "stupid" penalties and the offense to move at its intended pace. "If we do those three things, we have a decent chance to be successful."
YOUNG ENDS: DL coach Tracy Rocker said Wednesday that he wants to play all of his defensive linemen during Saturday's game.
All of them, that is, except Antoine "Hot" Carter, who Chizik ruled out on Tuesday, and sophomore Cam Henderson.
"He's not quite there yet. Just ain't there yet," Rocker said. "I feel good with what we've got."
It's probably not a good sign for Henderson that true freshmen Dee Ford and Nosa Eguae will both play in front of him on Saturday.
Rocker said he wouldn't hesitate to play either freshman because "they're going to have to play." He added that he felt comfortable with them. Then again, he doesn't have many options at the position and saying he's nervous about their play doesn't seem like it would be constructive.
Either way, Rocker expects mistakes from the freshmen during their debuts. He simply wants to see them give great effort -- especially after errors.
"The thing you don't want, you don't want the kid all of a sudden if he makes a mistake, gets frustrated and loses his spirit -- that's the thing I don't want," Rocker said. "But I keep stressing, 'You're going to be fine. Just keep battling and battling and we'll see what happens."
CATCHING ON: Taylor said Wednesday he is no closer to finalizing his loosely based six-receiver rotation than he was a few weeks ago.
Part of the problem is the questionable status of WR Darvin Adams, who is hampered with an undisclosed injury. Taylor didn't say whether he thinks Adams will play.
"I’m hoping to see him out there," Taylor said. "Keeping my fingers crossed."
The confirmed receivers who will see time are Terrell Zachery, DeAngelo "Voodoo" Benton, Emory Blake and Kodi Burns. Several other candidates seem just outside the rotation.
WR Philip Pierre-Louis, however, does not seem like he will see time on Saturday, nor does it sound like PPL is in good shape to play much all year.
"He’s got some stuff he’s got to take care of, and he understands that," Taylor said. "He’s another guy who can be a role player for us once he takes care of business."
Pierre-Louis missed the first half of camp while dealing with what Taylor termed "personal issues."
FIVE IS PLENTY: While Rocker and Taylor plan to cycle players in and out of the game, Grimes hopes he doesn't have to do the same.
Auburn's offensive line is dangerously low on depth. Grimes still cringes when thinking about committing to a particular player as his "first off the bench."
As a result, he said he wouldn't substitute any of his starters in an ideal situation.
"If it's a competitive game all the way through and everybody stays healthy, we'll probably stay with five," Grimes said.
Though Grimes didn't commit to one specific player to come off the bench, he did list some reserves based on position. Vance Smith, John Sullen and Bart Eddins would be the first to check in at tackle, guard and center, respectively.
However, Grimes cautions that he would consider moving starters around to fill voids depending on the injury.
"That's what those guys would play but it doesn't necessarily mean if I had to plug a guard in that John would necessarily go into the game, or if I had to plug a tackle in that Vance would necessarily go in," Grimes said.
Guard Mike Berry might be the most valuable player in this instance because he can play center and tackle as well. Berry's versatility likely enables Grimes to insert any of the three top reserves into the game based on which player he thinks is most competent.
DIFFERENT DEBUT: Two years ago, Chizik lost his head-coaching debut.
To Kent State.
Ouch.
After losing his second game, to FCS opponent Northern Iowa, Chizik did bounce back by beating Iowa State's rival, Iowa. The Cyclones then finished 3-9.
Chizik understandably prefers to avoid talking about his two-year stint in Ames, Iowa and his 5-19 career record. However, he has acknowledged on a few occasions that he is better prepared for the Auburn job because of the experience.
When asked how he feels heading into this game in comparison to the Kent State game in 2007, Chizik said there is no comparison.
"A lot different simply just because two years ago it was the first time I had ever gone into a game as head coach and all that stuff is behind me now," Chizik said. "I’m excited because this is my first time going into a game as the head coach at Auburn. As far as the head coaching thing, and the way I feel now versus two years ago is night and day, but really excited to be back here.”
DON’T SHAKE THINGS UP: In attempt to encourage good sportsmanship, the American Football Coaches Association and NCAA are encouraging teams to shake hands before every game starts this weekend.
Not all teams are adhering to the suggestion. That list apparently includes Auburn.
Chizik said he is not aware if that is in the plans and doesn't think it's going to happen.
That doesn't mean Chizik dislikes the idea.
"I don't feel strongly either way, to be honest with you," Chizik said. "There are some really good points for it.
"I'm sure that logistically the issues of timing and getting the game started and just all of the general public wouldn't really take into consideration, those things do occur, especially when you have great traditions before the game, when you run out, all the things that happen. I'm sure it's not just as easy as you walking out and doing a hand shake, so I think there are probably a lot of issues out there if you take the other side."
SPECIAL FORCES: Eguae has a simple plan for this weekend -- catch Chizik's eye however he can.
Though Eguae knows he will get some snaps at defensive end, he also plans to take advantage of every special teams opportunity he gets as well.
"I just want to go out there and knock a head off," Eguae said. "I think just going out there, every chance I get is to just show coach Chiz that I want it. And just go down there and just knock a head off, that's what I want to do."
SENIOR ADVICE: Senior CB Walt McFadden is always good for a good anecdote or quote whenever he speaks with the media.
Tuesday was no different.
Asked what he is telling the younger guys for their first game experience, McFadden gave a surprising answer about the team's Friday night hotel stay.
"A lot of guys just can’t wait to get to the hotel because there will be a lot of great food there," McFadden said. "They’ve been talking about the chicken wings lately, so I’ve been giving them advice how to eat a couple of wings, and take a couple to your room, a couple for snacks after that.
"Other than that, I’ve been telling them to be calm, that it will be very fast, and a lot of things that won’t be at practice. They’re going to come out with little plays and new formations. We just have to learn how to adjust to them."
That's what makes Walt McFadden a surefire Auburn beat writers All-American.
REMEMBERING HOWARD: During the brief time Auburn safeties coach Tommy Thigpen has been on the job, he got to know former Lincoln HS coach Keith Howard fairly well.
Thigpen said Wednesday that Howard's tragic death last week left him "dumbfounded." Howard died from a heart attack last Friday night during his team's season opener.
Here is the entirety of Thigpen's comment:
"I was dumbfounded. Of course this is the most tragic thing that happens. He’s one of the guys I was going to lean on a lot because he’s an Auburn guy – a guy who loved this place, loved his kids. His kids respected him greatly. When you talked to him, he didn’t seem like he was stressed at all. He was always carefree and always in a good mood. It was devastating for a guy like that to be that young and see what he brought to the community. Just a tragic thing and a tragic thing for the community."
Here's a look at what three offensive coaches want to see:
OL coach Jeff Grimes: "I want to see how tough our guys are. We talk about it all the time -- being a tough, physical offensive line -- one that dominates the line of scrimmage." He also wants to see how the line responds to surprises. Grimes thinks the linemen are prepared for what Louisiana Tech showed last year, but expects surprises. He wants to see how his players handle the unexpected and how they adjust.
WRs coach Trooper Taylor: Like most Auburn fans, Taylor wants to see which of his receivers will emerge as playmakers during the game. He's also interested to see how they are able to handle the fast-paced offense for an entire game.
Offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn: As could be expected, Malzahn is mostly interested in how his offense fares in terms of not turning the ball over. He also wants to avoid "stupid" penalties and the offense to move at its intended pace. "If we do those three things, we have a decent chance to be successful."
YOUNG ENDS: DL coach Tracy Rocker said Wednesday that he wants to play all of his defensive linemen during Saturday's game.
All of them, that is, except Antoine "Hot" Carter, who Chizik ruled out on Tuesday, and sophomore Cam Henderson.
"He's not quite there yet. Just ain't there yet," Rocker said. "I feel good with what we've got."
It's probably not a good sign for Henderson that true freshmen Dee Ford and Nosa Eguae will both play in front of him on Saturday.
Rocker said he wouldn't hesitate to play either freshman because "they're going to have to play." He added that he felt comfortable with them. Then again, he doesn't have many options at the position and saying he's nervous about their play doesn't seem like it would be constructive.
Either way, Rocker expects mistakes from the freshmen during their debuts. He simply wants to see them give great effort -- especially after errors.
"The thing you don't want, you don't want the kid all of a sudden if he makes a mistake, gets frustrated and loses his spirit -- that's the thing I don't want," Rocker said. "But I keep stressing, 'You're going to be fine. Just keep battling and battling and we'll see what happens."
CATCHING ON: Taylor said Wednesday he is no closer to finalizing his loosely based six-receiver rotation than he was a few weeks ago.
Part of the problem is the questionable status of WR Darvin Adams, who is hampered with an undisclosed injury. Taylor didn't say whether he thinks Adams will play.
"I’m hoping to see him out there," Taylor said. "Keeping my fingers crossed."
The confirmed receivers who will see time are Terrell Zachery, DeAngelo "Voodoo" Benton, Emory Blake and Kodi Burns. Several other candidates seem just outside the rotation.
WR Philip Pierre-Louis, however, does not seem like he will see time on Saturday, nor does it sound like PPL is in good shape to play much all year.
"He’s got some stuff he’s got to take care of, and he understands that," Taylor said. "He’s another guy who can be a role player for us once he takes care of business."
Pierre-Louis missed the first half of camp while dealing with what Taylor termed "personal issues."
FIVE IS PLENTY: While Rocker and Taylor plan to cycle players in and out of the game, Grimes hopes he doesn't have to do the same.
Auburn's offensive line is dangerously low on depth. Grimes still cringes when thinking about committing to a particular player as his "first off the bench."
As a result, he said he wouldn't substitute any of his starters in an ideal situation.
"If it's a competitive game all the way through and everybody stays healthy, we'll probably stay with five," Grimes said.
Though Grimes didn't commit to one specific player to come off the bench, he did list some reserves based on position. Vance Smith, John Sullen and Bart Eddins would be the first to check in at tackle, guard and center, respectively.
However, Grimes cautions that he would consider moving starters around to fill voids depending on the injury.
"That's what those guys would play but it doesn't necessarily mean if I had to plug a guard in that John would necessarily go into the game, or if I had to plug a tackle in that Vance would necessarily go in," Grimes said.
Guard Mike Berry might be the most valuable player in this instance because he can play center and tackle as well. Berry's versatility likely enables Grimes to insert any of the three top reserves into the game based on which player he thinks is most competent.
DIFFERENT DEBUT: Two years ago, Chizik lost his head-coaching debut.
To Kent State.
Ouch.
After losing his second game, to FCS opponent Northern Iowa, Chizik did bounce back by beating Iowa State's rival, Iowa. The Cyclones then finished 3-9.
Chizik understandably prefers to avoid talking about his two-year stint in Ames, Iowa and his 5-19 career record. However, he has acknowledged on a few occasions that he is better prepared for the Auburn job because of the experience.
When asked how he feels heading into this game in comparison to the Kent State game in 2007, Chizik said there is no comparison.
"A lot different simply just because two years ago it was the first time I had ever gone into a game as head coach and all that stuff is behind me now," Chizik said. "I’m excited because this is my first time going into a game as the head coach at Auburn. As far as the head coaching thing, and the way I feel now versus two years ago is night and day, but really excited to be back here.”
DON’T SHAKE THINGS UP: In attempt to encourage good sportsmanship, the American Football Coaches Association and NCAA are encouraging teams to shake hands before every game starts this weekend.
Not all teams are adhering to the suggestion. That list apparently includes Auburn.
Chizik said he is not aware if that is in the plans and doesn't think it's going to happen.
That doesn't mean Chizik dislikes the idea.
"I don't feel strongly either way, to be honest with you," Chizik said. "There are some really good points for it.
"I'm sure that logistically the issues of timing and getting the game started and just all of the general public wouldn't really take into consideration, those things do occur, especially when you have great traditions before the game, when you run out, all the things that happen. I'm sure it's not just as easy as you walking out and doing a hand shake, so I think there are probably a lot of issues out there if you take the other side."
SPECIAL FORCES: Eguae has a simple plan for this weekend -- catch Chizik's eye however he can.
Though Eguae knows he will get some snaps at defensive end, he also plans to take advantage of every special teams opportunity he gets as well.
"I just want to go out there and knock a head off," Eguae said. "I think just going out there, every chance I get is to just show coach Chiz that I want it. And just go down there and just knock a head off, that's what I want to do."
SENIOR ADVICE: Senior CB Walt McFadden is always good for a good anecdote or quote whenever he speaks with the media.
Tuesday was no different.
Asked what he is telling the younger guys for their first game experience, McFadden gave a surprising answer about the team's Friday night hotel stay.
"A lot of guys just can’t wait to get to the hotel because there will be a lot of great food there," McFadden said. "They’ve been talking about the chicken wings lately, so I’ve been giving them advice how to eat a couple of wings, and take a couple to your room, a couple for snacks after that.
"Other than that, I’ve been telling them to be calm, that it will be very fast, and a lot of things that won’t be at practice. They’re going to come out with little plays and new formations. We just have to learn how to adjust to them."
That's what makes Walt McFadden a surefire Auburn beat writers All-American.
REMEMBERING HOWARD: During the brief time Auburn safeties coach Tommy Thigpen has been on the job, he got to know former Lincoln HS coach Keith Howard fairly well.
Thigpen said Wednesday that Howard's tragic death last week left him "dumbfounded." Howard died from a heart attack last Friday night during his team's season opener.
Here is the entirety of Thigpen's comment:
"I was dumbfounded. Of course this is the most tragic thing that happens. He’s one of the guys I was going to lean on a lot because he’s an Auburn guy – a guy who loved this place, loved his kids. His kids respected him greatly. When you talked to him, he didn’t seem like he was stressed at all. He was always carefree and always in a good mood. It was devastating for a guy like that to be that young and see what he brought to the community. Just a tragic thing and a tragic thing for the community."
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Late notes from a busy Tuesday
First, here's a look at my story for tomorrow:
Gene Chizik realizes his era at Auburn begins with several questions. Come Saturday, the questions will either have solid answers or officially become problems.
Among the questions, the Tigers have 10-12 true freshmen expected to play significant time. They have new coordinators on both sides of the ball. There’s also the head coach starting the season with a career 5-19 record and a personal 10-game losing streak.
“It’s one of those first games where you get a lot of questions answered,” Chizik said. “We are going to have a starting point and that’s the bottom line. Whether it’s going to be good, bad, or ugly, we have a starting point, and our goal is to get better every week. I don’t know what people read into or what they want but we are excited about getting started and figuring out where we are.”
...
For more, read tomorrow's Anniston Star.
QB Chris Todd choked up a little when asked about Alabama defensive end Brandon Deaderick, who was shot and injured late Thursday night.
The two played high school football together at Elizabethtown (Ky.) High School and graduated in the same class.
“I’m good friends with him and when I go back home, we hang out a lot,” Todd said. “We graduated together and stuff like that.”
Todd said he talked to Deaderick’s mother on Wednesday and felt confident his friend would be OK.
“It was very unfortunate but I was talking to his mom, she was very thankful and I’m thankful that he’s OK because that situation could have come out a lot worse,” Todd said. “It’s crazy how stuff like that works out.”
BREAKING THEM IN: Newcomers flooded Auburn’s depth chart, which was released Tuesday morning.
Of note, true freshman safety Daren Bates will start, as will JUCO transfer Eltoro Freeman.
The two-deep at linebacker appears more troubling for the Tigers. A pair of true freshmen – Jonathan Evans and Harris Gaston – and sophomore Adam Herring, who missed the better part of eight months, are listed as primary backups.
Because of their inexperience, defensive coordinator Ted Roof said he has developed a plan to get them early playing time. He’s hoping that will prevent them from getting their first taste at the collegiate level during deciding moments.
“We’ve got several different groupings and there’s a plan to do it,” Roof said. “We’re expecting to have to win this thing on the last drive, in the fourth quarter.
“We want to make sure we have our best players fresh in the fourth quarter. Sometimes the situations dictate that too – you have to play people in the right situations with the right other people. We don’t want to wholesale substitute, we want to make sure we do it a little bit at a time. That’s our plan right now.”
GETTING READY: Offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn described redshirting true freshman quarterback Tyrik Rollison the “best-case scenario.”
Rollison competed with Neil Caudle for the backup position until Friday, when Chizik announced Caudle won the position.
Now Malzahn hopes to get more time to season Rollison and allow him to learn the system better.
“We ask a lot of our quarterbacks,” Malzahn said. “You can tell each day he gets more and more comfortable with what we ask him to do. Everybody knows he’s physically talented. It’s just a matter of trying our best to get him ready.”
QUICK OUT: Chizik said defensive end Antoine Carter would not play on Saturday. He did not say if Carter had an injury.
Gene Chizik realizes his era at Auburn begins with several questions. Come Saturday, the questions will either have solid answers or officially become problems.
Among the questions, the Tigers have 10-12 true freshmen expected to play significant time. They have new coordinators on both sides of the ball. There’s also the head coach starting the season with a career 5-19 record and a personal 10-game losing streak.
“It’s one of those first games where you get a lot of questions answered,” Chizik said. “We are going to have a starting point and that’s the bottom line. Whether it’s going to be good, bad, or ugly, we have a starting point, and our goal is to get better every week. I don’t know what people read into or what they want but we are excited about getting started and figuring out where we are.”
...
For more, read tomorrow's Anniston Star.
QB Chris Todd choked up a little when asked about Alabama defensive end Brandon Deaderick, who was shot and injured late Thursday night.
The two played high school football together at Elizabethtown (Ky.) High School and graduated in the same class.
“I’m good friends with him and when I go back home, we hang out a lot,” Todd said. “We graduated together and stuff like that.”
Todd said he talked to Deaderick’s mother on Wednesday and felt confident his friend would be OK.
“It was very unfortunate but I was talking to his mom, she was very thankful and I’m thankful that he’s OK because that situation could have come out a lot worse,” Todd said. “It’s crazy how stuff like that works out.”
BREAKING THEM IN: Newcomers flooded Auburn’s depth chart, which was released Tuesday morning.
Of note, true freshman safety Daren Bates will start, as will JUCO transfer Eltoro Freeman.
The two-deep at linebacker appears more troubling for the Tigers. A pair of true freshmen – Jonathan Evans and Harris Gaston – and sophomore Adam Herring, who missed the better part of eight months, are listed as primary backups.
Because of their inexperience, defensive coordinator Ted Roof said he has developed a plan to get them early playing time. He’s hoping that will prevent them from getting their first taste at the collegiate level during deciding moments.
“We’ve got several different groupings and there’s a plan to do it,” Roof said. “We’re expecting to have to win this thing on the last drive, in the fourth quarter.
“We want to make sure we have our best players fresh in the fourth quarter. Sometimes the situations dictate that too – you have to play people in the right situations with the right other people. We don’t want to wholesale substitute, we want to make sure we do it a little bit at a time. That’s our plan right now.”
GETTING READY: Offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn described redshirting true freshman quarterback Tyrik Rollison the “best-case scenario.”
Rollison competed with Neil Caudle for the backup position until Friday, when Chizik announced Caudle won the position.
Now Malzahn hopes to get more time to season Rollison and allow him to learn the system better.
“We ask a lot of our quarterbacks,” Malzahn said. “You can tell each day he gets more and more comfortable with what we ask him to do. Everybody knows he’s physically talented. It’s just a matter of trying our best to get him ready.”
QUICK OUT: Chizik said defensive end Antoine Carter would not play on Saturday. He did not say if Carter had an injury.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Official depth chart
OFFENSE
QB 12 Chris Todd, Sr.
19 Neil Caudle, Jr.
17 Tyrik Rollison, Fr.
RB 44 Ben Tate, Sr.
23 Onterio McCalebb, Fr.
HB 27 Mario Fannin, Jr.
30 John Douglas, So. --OR--
83 Gabe McKenzie, Sr.
TE 5 Tommy Trott, Sr.
43 Philip Lutzenkirchen, Fr.
82 Jay Wisner, Jr.
WR 81 Terrell Zachery, Jr.
18 Kodi Burns, Jr.
WR 89 Darvin Adams, So.
3 DeAngelo Benton, Fr. --OR--
80 Emory Blake
LT 73 Lee Ziemba, Jr.
79 Jared Cooper, So.
LG 57 Byron Isom, Jr.
76 Jorell Bostrom, Jr.
C 50 Ryan Pugh, Jr.
53 Bart Eddins, Jr.
RG 66 Mike Berry, Jr.
71 John Sullen, Fr.
RT 75 Andrew McCain, Sr.
55 Vance Smith, So.
CLASS BREAKDOWN
Seniors - 5
Juniors - 11
Sophomores - 4
Freshmen - 6
DEFENSE
WDE 52 Antonio Coleman, Sr.
94 Nosa Eguae, Fr.
DT 93 Mike Blanc, Jr.
90 Nick Fairley, So.
DT 91 Jake Ricks, Sr.
98 Zach Clayton, Jr.
97 Derrick Lykes, RFr.
SDE 49 Michael Goggans, Jr.
95 Dee Ford, Fr.***
WLB 21 Eltoro Freeman, So.
31 Adam Herring, So.
36 Wade Christopher, So.
MLB 17 Josh Bynes, Jr.
58 Harris Gaston, Fr.
SLB 46 Craig Stevens, Jr.
35 Jonathan Evans, Fr.
CB 6 Walt McFadden, Sr.
8 Harry Adams, So.
FS 25 Daren Bates, Fr.
20 Drew Cole, So.
22 T'Sharvan Bell, RFr.
SS 4 Zac Etheridge, Jr.
11 Mike Slade, So.
24 D'Antoine Hood, So.
CB 15 Neiko Thorpe, So.
32 Demond Washington, Jr.
*** - Auburn coach Gene Chizik said Antoine "Hot" Carter will not play Saturday. He has battled a knee injury throughout the preseason, but Chizik does not talk about injuries. I am not certain this is an injury situation.
CLASS BREAKDOWN:
Seniors - 3
Juniors - 7
Sophomores - 9
Freshmen - 8
SPECIAL TEAMS
K 17 Wes Byrum, Jr.
37 Morgan Hull, Jr.
P 97 Clinton Durst, Sr.
21 Ryan Shoemaker, Jr.
LS 61 Josh Harris, So.
48 Bailey Woods, So.
H 96 Clayton Crofoot, Sr.
19 Neil Caudle, Jr.
PR 27 Mario Fannin, Jr.
24 Anthony Gulley, Fr.
KR 81 Terrell Zachery, Jr. &
23 Onterio McCalebb, Fr.
27 Mario Fannin, Jr. &
15 Neiko Thorpe, So.
CLASS BREAKDOWN:
Seniors - 2
Juniors - 6
Sophomores - 3
Freshmen - 2
TOTAL BREAKDOWN:
Seniors - 10
Juniors - 21
Sophomores - 15
Freshmen - 15
Keep in mind, Chizik said 10-12 true freshmen would play right away. Here's that list:
WR DeAngelo Benton
WR Emory Blake
WR/PR Anthony Gulley
WR Travante Stallworth
TE Philip Lutzenkirchen
OL John Sullen
RB/KR Onterio McCalebb
DE Nosa Eguae
DE Dee Ford
LB Jonathan Evans
LB Harris Gaston
FS Daren Bates
I did not forget Tyrik Rollison. Gus Malzahn said tonight that the "best-case scenario" would be for Rollison to redshirt.
QB 12 Chris Todd, Sr.
19 Neil Caudle, Jr.
17 Tyrik Rollison, Fr.
RB 44 Ben Tate, Sr.
23 Onterio McCalebb, Fr.
HB 27 Mario Fannin, Jr.
30 John Douglas, So. --OR--
83 Gabe McKenzie, Sr.
TE 5 Tommy Trott, Sr.
43 Philip Lutzenkirchen, Fr.
82 Jay Wisner, Jr.
WR 81 Terrell Zachery, Jr.
18 Kodi Burns, Jr.
WR 89 Darvin Adams, So.
3 DeAngelo Benton, Fr. --OR--
80 Emory Blake
LT 73 Lee Ziemba, Jr.
79 Jared Cooper, So.
LG 57 Byron Isom, Jr.
76 Jorell Bostrom, Jr.
C 50 Ryan Pugh, Jr.
53 Bart Eddins, Jr.
RG 66 Mike Berry, Jr.
71 John Sullen, Fr.
RT 75 Andrew McCain, Sr.
55 Vance Smith, So.
CLASS BREAKDOWN
Seniors - 5
Juniors - 11
Sophomores - 4
Freshmen - 6
DEFENSE
WDE 52 Antonio Coleman, Sr.
94 Nosa Eguae, Fr.
DT 93 Mike Blanc, Jr.
90 Nick Fairley, So.
DT 91 Jake Ricks, Sr.
98 Zach Clayton, Jr.
97 Derrick Lykes, RFr.
SDE 49 Michael Goggans, Jr.
95 Dee Ford, Fr.***
WLB 21 Eltoro Freeman, So.
31 Adam Herring, So.
36 Wade Christopher, So.
MLB 17 Josh Bynes, Jr.
58 Harris Gaston, Fr.
SLB 46 Craig Stevens, Jr.
35 Jonathan Evans, Fr.
CB 6 Walt McFadden, Sr.
8 Harry Adams, So.
FS 25 Daren Bates, Fr.
20 Drew Cole, So.
22 T'Sharvan Bell, RFr.
SS 4 Zac Etheridge, Jr.
11 Mike Slade, So.
24 D'Antoine Hood, So.
CB 15 Neiko Thorpe, So.
32 Demond Washington, Jr.
*** - Auburn coach Gene Chizik said Antoine "Hot" Carter will not play Saturday. He has battled a knee injury throughout the preseason, but Chizik does not talk about injuries. I am not certain this is an injury situation.
CLASS BREAKDOWN:
Seniors - 3
Juniors - 7
Sophomores - 9
Freshmen - 8
SPECIAL TEAMS
K 17 Wes Byrum, Jr.
37 Morgan Hull, Jr.
P 97 Clinton Durst, Sr.
21 Ryan Shoemaker, Jr.
LS 61 Josh Harris, So.
48 Bailey Woods, So.
H 96 Clayton Crofoot, Sr.
19 Neil Caudle, Jr.
PR 27 Mario Fannin, Jr.
24 Anthony Gulley, Fr.
KR 81 Terrell Zachery, Jr. &
23 Onterio McCalebb, Fr.
27 Mario Fannin, Jr. &
15 Neiko Thorpe, So.
CLASS BREAKDOWN:
Seniors - 2
Juniors - 6
Sophomores - 3
Freshmen - 2
TOTAL BREAKDOWN:
Seniors - 10
Juniors - 21
Sophomores - 15
Freshmen - 15
Keep in mind, Chizik said 10-12 true freshmen would play right away. Here's that list:
WR DeAngelo Benton
WR Emory Blake
WR/PR Anthony Gulley
WR Travante Stallworth
TE Philip Lutzenkirchen
OL John Sullen
RB/KR Onterio McCalebb
DE Nosa Eguae
DE Dee Ford
LB Jonathan Evans
LB Harris Gaston
FS Daren Bates
I did not forget Tyrik Rollison. Gus Malzahn said tonight that the "best-case scenario" would be for Rollison to redshirt.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)