Days to kickoff: 16

Our Tar Heel Tiger's Auburn Minute is brought to you by the number:

16

... and by WarEagleRK, who penned our fine report.

Mobile native Dameyune Craig played at Auburn from 1994-1997, getting his first significant time as a sophomore in 1995 as a backup for Patrick Nix. Terry Bowden used Craig in many short-yardage situations and almost exclusively as the goal-line quarterback to take advantage of his speed and to prepare him to be the starter the next year.

Craig was a two-year starter, leading us to a disappointing 8-4 record in 1996 and a win in the Weedeater bowl in Shreveport.

However in 1997, Craig was the man, even receiving some early-season Heisman talk until a loss to Florida and a still-unexplained 20-0 defeat at home to Mississippi State helped derail those dreams.

In 1997, he set an Auburn record with 3,277 yards passing and led the team to the SEC title game (vs. Tennessee) and a 10-3 record. Craig was responsible for 79% of Auburn's offense that year as the team averaged less than 75 yards rushing per game. If Auburn didn't have Craig under center, they would have struggled to get to six wins and a bowl game. Nonetheless, they finished one point short of an SEC championship.

Craig went on to a brief career in the NFL with the Washington Redskins and Carolina Panthers. He still holds the professional football record for most passing yards in a game, when he threw for 611 yards playing with the Scottish Claymores in the NFL European league.

So everyone tip your HABOTN hat to a true warrior of the gridiron and a man sometimes carried Auburn on his back for two years to 18 wins.

HONORABLE MENTION:

* Greg Taylor: A diminutive WR from the early 90s.

* Daniel Cobb: Holds the Auburn record for most TDs passing in one game (5) in 2001 against Louisiana Tech.

* Rob Bironas: Current NFL All-Pro kicker who spent one season at Auburn (then moved on to Ga. Southern) in 1998 before being beaten out by the inconsistent Damon Duval and his 1999 blonde hair. He was an All-SEC selection during his one year on the Plains.