Tuberville speaks, 11/9

STATUS: He has arrived. Here we go ...

• Players of the game: Kodi Burns on offense, Chris Evans on defense.
  
  
• "We wanted to kinda let the air out of it for a week and let them get back into it mentally. We didn't do a lot on offense. We didn't ask them to do much."
  
  
• "We know what we're getting into: We're about to play the preseason No. 1 and the present No. 1 in a few weeks. We've got our work cut out for us."
  
  
• On Kodi Burns' learning curve: "I think Kodi can be an excellent SEC quarterback. He's raw. He's a lot like Jason. As coaches, you have to learn the strengths and weaknesses of a player you haven't been around. We'll do that with Kodi. I thought (Neil Caudle) added something to our offense."
  
  
• On losing two consecutive games to Georgia: "Last year, we thought we had a good chance. It was our 11th straight game without an open date. In the third quarter, it looked like we ran out of gas. They've beaten a lot of teams -- not just us."
  
  
• On how Auburn's offense changed with Tony Franklin out: "It means we've put the finger on Kodi Burns. He's gotten a little bit better at times. His receivers haven't cooperated at times."
  
  
• On how coaches handled the win: "Everybody's excited. We got a win. We work awfully hard for every game we play. We know the challenge ahead of us. I'm sure the players don't realize that like we do. It's a huge challenge for a team that hasn't been productive consistently."
  
  
• Easier to come to work today: "Easier? Yeah, but we shift gears pretty quickly here. You have to go to the next game very quickly."
  
  
• On Virgil Starks: "It's a shock to all of us. He's been a huge part of these kids being able to work toward their education, their degree, and being able to play football as well. We talked about this for a long time with the players. He's like a head coach with academics. He took his job seriously. He worked on it day and night. He did a lot for the program."
  
  
• On "Amen Corner": "This is the fun time. This is what you fight for. These are a lot more fun. Tennessee-Martin? Homecoming? As coaches, we're thinking: It's over with. Now we're looking forward to these preparations. It's like two Iron Bowls back to back."
  
  
• Tuberville said Tristan Davis's injury isn't serious.
  
  
• On Burns' running: "He's going to take some licks. We tell him to protect himself as much as he can. Yesterday, he looked like a running back out there. In the next two games, he's going to have to protect himself more."
  
  
• On Caudle being the backup: "He earned it. He looked athletic. He's really matured since he's been here."
  
  
• On Jay Gogue's upcoming program review: "He's told us all that. He told us when he first got here that each coach would be evaluated after their season. He doesn't get involved. I think that's pretty good."
  
  
• More on Burns' running: "When we're in shotgun, someone else can run the ball. Him running like that gives him another second or two to throw the ball. That's why you run -- to slow down the pass rush."
  

END OF INTERVIEW