Auburn def. Ball State, 54-30
 Hey everyone. I'll make this a repository of post-game information. - Byron Isom has been suspended indefinitely ... hence his absence tonight.
- Injury update: Onterio McCalebb suffered an ankle injury. His status remains unclear, though he said afterward that he's expecting to play next week at Tennessee. ``I don’t have any doubts I’ll be ready," he said.
- Injury update: Kodi Burns took a helmet to the thigh (just above his left knee) and expects to play next week at Tennessee.
TOTAL YARDS
- AUB: 560 (254 rush)
- BSU: 260 (146 rush)
FIRST DOWNS
- AUB: 21
- BSU: 19
- Gene Chizik on why he stuck with backups: ``We have to get guys reps and we have to get those guys playing time. We felt like with a four touchdown lead at that point. We have to make decisions on ... again it goes back to the depth of our football team. Our objective is to win the game, not to win the stats. Win the game and get out healthy so we can go into a tough month of October. We did what we had to do to get out of the game and try to keep everybody healthy."
- Gus Malzahn: ``The first part of the game we tried to feel out what they were giving us. Once we figured it out our kids executed and made some big plays. It was real encouraging."
- Craig Stevens on overall situation: ``Feeling good. We've got a lot of ... young guys got a lot of work out there today. I feel like that's going to help us in the long run -- to give them a little experience under their belt. We have to come out faster than we did tonight."
Ball State @ AU: 2nd Half
 Hey everyone. We're watching the second half of the Ball State-Auburn game. You can find it on Fox Sports South HD. AUBURN WINS, 54-30.- Auburn's first possession: Darvin Adams 26 pass from Chris Todd ... PAT is good ... drive covers 76 yards in 10 plays.
- Ball State's first possession: Some guy scored a rushing touchdown.
- Auburn's second possession: TOUCHDOWN. Mario Fannin 36 pass from Chris Todd ... PAT good ... play covers 72 yards in 4 plays.
- Ball State's ... possession: TOUCHDOWN. Some guy catches a pass from the quarterback.
I no longer can keep up with this. Please follow along in the comments section for the LATEST IN-GAME NEWS.
Ball State @ AU: 1st half
 Welcome to Jordan-Hare Stadium, where the Auburn Tigers are playing the Ball State University Cardinals. - Ball State's first possession: Punt.
- Auburn's first possession: FUMBLE. Anthony Gulley fumbles the punt.
- Ball State's second possession: TOUCHDOWN ... MiQuale Lewis 2 run ... PAT good ... drive covers 18 yards in 4 plays.
- Auburn's second possession: TURNOVER ON DOWNS.
- Ball State's third possession: FUMBLE.
- Auburn's third possession: Punt.
- Ball State's fourth possession: FUMBLE.
- Auburn's fourth possession: TOUCHDOWN ... Tommy Trott 6 pass from Chris Todd ... PAT good ... drive covers 28 yards in 4 plays.
- Ball State's fifth possession: Punt.
- Auburn's fifth possession: TOUCHDOWN. Terrell Zachery 47 pass from Chris Todd ... PAT good ... drive covers 78 yards in 6 plays.
- Ball State's sixth possession: SAFETY. Two running plays net -8 yards.
- Auburn's sixth possession: TOUCHDOWN. Onterio McCalebb 1 run ... PAT good ... drive covers 63 yards in 2 plays.
- Ball State's seventh possession: Punt.
- Auburn's seventh possession: TOUCHDOWN. Terrell Zachery 65 pass from Chris Todd ... PAT good ... drive covers 77 yards in 3 plays.
- Ball State's eighth possession: TURNOVER ON DOWNS.
- Auburn's eighth possession: TURNOVER ON DOWNS. Fake punt loses one yard.
- Ball State's ninth possession: FIELD GOAL. Ian McGarvey 33 FG. Drive covers 18 yards in 5 plays.
- Auburn's ninth possession: FIELD GOAL. Wes Byrum 32 FG. Drive covers 49 yards in 9 plays.
- HALFTIME.
Welcome to Jordan-Hare Stadium
 Hey everyone. I have arrived at the stadium here in Auburn and let me tell you: It's wet again. Very wet. I was caught in a hellacious storm on the way here, but it hasn't hit this area yet. Or won't. I dunno. - PROGRAMMING NOTE: Kickoff has been delayed 30 minutes because of weather. Toe meets leather at 6:30 p.m. CDT.
- John Sullen will start at LG. No word on what's up with Byron Isom.
- Anthony Gulley is wearing No. 84 tonight.
- Mike Blanc is starting at DT. Nick Fairley is not.
- Your injury brigade looks like this: LB Spencer Pybus, DE Nosa Eguae, OL A.J. Greene, OL Jorell Bostrom, OL Vance Smith, S Mike McNeil and S Drew Cole.
Cole is on crutches and has a boot on his left foot.
Radio Appearance Forthcoming
Story on Darvin Adams
**For reasons that aren't clear to me, my story for Friday's newspaper didn't run. Here is the story you should be reading** By Jay G. TateMontgomery Advertiser jgtate@gannett.comAUBURN -- Cornerback Walter McFadden uses a different approach when a drill requires him to cover the team's leading receiver. Darvin Adams provides a unique challenge.  The sophomore has emerged as the Tigers' top receiving option this season, proving his worth with a three-touchdown performance against West Virginia last week. Yet Adams' method is far from normal. He outworks defenders. That's his best asset. ``He's not the greatest receiver. He's not the fastest receiver. He's just not," McFadden said. ``When you look at him on film, though, he's a threat. He works hard. You can't put nothing past him. His routes may not be the best, his hands may not be the best, but he's going to give you 100 percent on every play. And that's something I know about." Adams is a throwback. In a world dominated by combine-enhanced reputations, Auburn's top receiver figures effort remains a valuable commodity. Adams, who stands 6-foot-3, weighs only 185 pounds and rarely pulls away from any similarly proportioned defenders. He doesn't need break-away speed. Adams knows how to create a head start. He understands coverages, identifies their weaknesses in real time and exploits them by moving into position without pause. He's a useful blocker. He's a productive special-teams contributor. Still, he's not a household name. Adams' low-key game has yielded little exposure. Even his work against the Mountaineers, which included a nifty one-handed grab in the end zone, has earned him little respect across the league. He doesn't mind. He's not into self-promotion. ``I see myself as helping this team out," Adams said. ``If I have to play special teams every down -- if I get one catch for negative-2 yards and we get a win -- I'm still happy. I'm just out there to do whatever it takes for this team to win." That's not idle chatter. Adams arrived on campus last summer after choosing Auburn over Georgia Tech, Ole Miss, Tennessee and South Carolina. He soon found himself out of contention for a full-time gig at receiver, so he asked to help on coverage teams. He was a natural. Adams worked on punt coverage, kickoff coverage and punt return as a freshman last season. He showed no fear and impressed coaches with his tenacity. The Tigers' new staff, hired last winter, reached a similar conclusion.  Adams' unassuming nature blends well with offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, who asks that players limit their trash talking toward opponents. He wants emotions express with hits -- not taunts. That's fine with Adams. He's been following that rule all along. ``In the spring, he showed a lot of toughness," Malzahn said. ``He made plays. He was tough. We just felt like: This guy here, we can count on him. We knew he was a guy who had a chance." Adams creates chances by following the plan. His routes aren't flawless, but he's always headed in the correct direction. He's where he's supposed to be at any given moment, which helps him stand out among a corps of freshman receivers who often find themselves astray. In that sense, Adams is a role model. ``He has a knack for getting open and he's so long," tight end Tommy Trott said. ``He gets the balls you don't think he's going to get." Adams doesn't spend time comparing this season to 2008. So what that he's already caught 15 balls after catching three last year? Or that his receiving yards already have dwarfed his 2008 numbers? He learned a lot last season. He's not looking back. ``Sometimes, you have to sit back and wait your turn," Adams said. ``I tried to help the team out on special teams as a freshman. I was just waiting for my turn to get out there." Photo credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn University
First Post: Friday of Week Four
 Hey everyone. Thursday Night LIVE went really well. We were treated to only sporadic inanity on Tiger Talk and a swell ESPN game. Can't ask for more than that. Seemed like the Campfire® was a success. We had great participation, but I never felt like it was too crowded. We had 50-80 people at a time. That's an ideal number. We'll make that a weekly tradition. Here's the Auburn situation at this moment: TODAY'S STORIES- My story, for reasons that aren't clear to me, didn't run in the paper. So I posted it above.
PREVIOUS STORIESTHE VIDEO VAULTTODAY'S SCHEDULEFridays are the slowest day of the week. Auburn will hold a short walk-through around 4 p.m. and then head for LaGrange, Ga., for a night of motel relaxation. It's a hard-knock life. Here's what the next few days look like. All times are CDT: Fri., Sept. 25, OFF Sat., Sept. 26, vs. Ball State, 6 p.m. (Fox Sports South)Sun., Sept. 27, 5 p.m. Mon., Sept. 28, OFF Tue., Sept. 29, 4:30 p.m. (Chizik presser at 11:30 a.m.; Players available at 11:50 a.m.) Wed., Sept. 30, 4:30 p.m. Thu., Oct. 1, 4:30 p.m. (Tiger Talk at 7 p.m.) Fri., Oct. 2, OFF Sat., Oct. 3, at Tennessee, 6:45 p.m. (ESPN)Also, please pick up the Advertiser's print edition if you live around here! Our fine Auburn coverage is only one element of our award-winning product.
All we have are the embers
 Hey everyone. We held a 2-hour Campfire® on Thursday night that was well-attended and well-received. We hosted 303 users this time. Thanks for your support. BIG UP to the HOTTIES who went the distance: Sensi, Eddie, E-Bro, Kristina, DMiller, JD. I think WEG was there for most of the shindig as well. It's always nice seeing new members around: philly1, Wilson Tailgate. There were others.
Thursday night LIVE
 Welcome. We're watching Ole Miss @ South Carolina ... and listening to Tiger Talk on radio affiliates throughout Alabama. CURRENT SCORE (game is on ESPN HD) 
OLE MISS - 10 SOUTH CAROLINA - 16FinalTIGER TALK TIDBITS- They're babbling.
- Shannon from Hamilton wants to know why Auburn didn't tackle well last week. He thinks "we lost some of our fundamentals". Question drags on and on and on. ASK A QUESTION: ``We were very disappointed in that. You could make excuses. We didn't tackle well. That's the bottom line. We sat down and really revisited what we can do. It was glaring to everybody. There is a lot we can do to get better at that ... and we will."
- Gene and Rod are eating steak now. Exciting. "It looks delicious," Rod reports. You come to the HABOTN for hard-hitting journalism. I provide.
- Brian once took a bowling class and Auburn players were nice. No question asked. Oh well.
- Chizik on the fans: ``It shows you way when people come to Auburn for an event, they leave saying: `It's like no place I've ever been.'"
- Frank from Auburn wants to know why Chris Todd splits out wide on Wildcat: ``You're putting two quarterbacks in the game. No one really knows which (formation) you're really going to be in. It gives the defense a catch-me-if-you-can mentality. We feel really good about having that either-or situation on the field."
- Mike wants to know what effect Trooper Taylor's enthusiasm has on the ballclub: ``It's a definite advantage for us. People look at you and how you're acting -- when things are good or bad."
(J.Kev called and interrupted. Sorry.)
- Karen from Auburn wants to know about Gabe McKenzie: "Everything's great. He's playing a little bit of defense right now. We taught him a little bit in bits and pieces. We're thin on offense at some positions. We're trying to pick and choose, with a lot of discernment, what he can and can't handle. We have to be very particular about who we can move and if they can handle it."
- On Tommy Trott: ``He's played so much football, during the week he's like one of those NFL guys. You can practice him but you have to be careful about how much. The main thing is you want him healthy."
- On Hot Carter: ``He's almost in the same boat Timmy Hawthorne was in last week. We're trying to get him going in practice and giving him some reps. We'll see how that goes."
- Beth in Auburn wants to know why Auburn isn't ranked: ``That's a good question. We don't spend a lot of energy on things we can't control. All that other stuff takes care of itself."
- Bo in Moody wants to know why Blake and Benton aren't playing: ``It's been a learning process for them. There have been some nagging nicks and bruises. Certainly as we get into the meat of the SEC schedule, we're hoping they'll be able to play more for us."
- M.M. from Scottsboro wants to know about the Todd-Burns relationship: ``It's really good and it's permeating through the whole team. Going back to two-a-days and we had to name a starter and that whole thing unfolded, it was a great event that happened. That's told a lot to ... not just the people out there, but to their teammates. Everything with them is great."
- Chris in Birmingham wants to know about the future of the OL: ``We know where we're at right now. It's a point of contention with the depth issues after the first five. We've got our sights on ... probably around five (signees). It's really how many juniors you have. We've got to go out and five five great offensive linemen who can come in here and play."
- Tough to find good OL recruits?: ``It's almost beauty is in the eye of the beholder. You can't just put on the film and see them catch the ball and say: `He's way faster than everybody.' It's gets hairy."
- Stephen, a season ticket holder, wants to know about a missed holding call against WVU and why Auburn doesn't wear ALL ORANGE for the Ole Miss game: ``I don't know about the orange uniforms. We'll have to wait and see on that. You can't control the officiating. We should have tackled him and gotten him down, but we didn't."
- On why Chizik thinks this winless Ball State is awesome: ``"We're not good enough to overlook anybody. That's not where we're at. It's going to be a fight for us. Offensively, I'd like to see us have some consistency in moving the ball. When the tempo of the game takes over, you can wear them out."
- That's a wrap.
First Post: Thursday of Week Four
Hey everyone. Looks like more rain is on its way to central Alabama, which means the Tigers could be looking at another wet weekend. So it goes. I was just watching a replay of the Ball State @ Army game from last week. The winless Cardinals didn't look all that bad to me, but I suppose you have to consider the level of competition. Maybe my 95-7 prediction for this weekend's game is a bit off. Just joshin'. My real pick is Auburn 63, Ball State 10. Here's the Auburn situation at this moment: TODAY'S STORIESPREVIOUS STORIESTHE VIDEO VAULTTODAY'S SCHEDULECould be a fun night. I'll be LIVE BLOGGIN' for your NOGGIN tonight during coach Gene Chizik's appearance on Tiger Talk. Maybe we could start awarding a special award for the most inane question asked of Chizik each week. We'll also be chattin' it up during the Ole Miss @ South Carolina game. Sounds like fun to me. I hope you feel the same way. Here's what the next few days look like. All times are CDT: Thu., Sept. 24, 4:30 p.m. (Tiger Talk at 7 p.m.) Fri., Sept. 25, OFF Sat., Sept. 26, vs. Ball State, 6 p.m. (Fox Sports South)Sun., Sept. 27, 5 p.m. Mon., Sept. 28, OFF Tue., Sept. 29, 4:30 p.m. (Chizik presser at 11:30 a.m.; Players available at 11:50 a.m.) Also, please pick up the Advertiser's print edition if you live around here! Our fine Auburn coverage is only one element of our award-winning product.
Gabe McKenzie headed to defense?
 Hey everyone. I know you love blog titles that begin with a question mark. Gene Chizik told reporters tonight that senior Gabe McKenzie (again) has been experimenting at defense end this week. He may become an option on third downs ... possibly taking snaps away from freshman Dee Ford. McKenzie played end to begin the 2008 season, but finished the season at tight end. He's been playing "3" in Gus Malzahn's offense. That's what I call the utility back position and it's one typically handled by Mario Fannin. McKenzie sightings have been few and far between this season. Photo credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn University
First Post: Wednesday of Week Four
Hey everyone. Tuesday was fun. I expected The TV People to ask Chizik about Trooper Taylor, whom Paul Finebaum portrayed as racist, but that didn't happen. I didn't ask because I don't think the ESPN clip included any untoward language -- let alone racist rhetoric. As noted yesterday, O-A News ace Andrew Gribble went on Paul Finebaum's show yesterday and wasn't asked about Trooper Taylor. I find that odd. I also consider that confirmation that Finebaum knows the story isn't legitimate. He doesn't want to get crossed up by someone on the ground in Auburn. See what I mean? I hope you saw last night's video. It was a funny one. Here's the Auburn situation at this moment: TODAY'S STORIESPREVIOUS STORIESTHE VIDEO VAULTTODAY'S SCHEDULEI'm not planning to be at Auburn today. Wednesdays are my day to write the stuff for our weekend section (known to some as "GameDay") and that means blogging will be light. I'll be answering questions in the comments section as always, though. Here's what the next few days look like. All times are CDT: Wed., Sept. 23, 4:30 p.m. Thu., Sept. 24, 4:30 p.m. Fri., Sept. 25, OFF Sat., Sept. 26, vs. Ball State, 6 p.m. (Fox Sports South)Sun., Sept. 27, 5 p.m. Mon., Sept. 28, OFF Tue., Sept. 29, 4:30 p.m. (Chizik presser at 11:30 a.m.; Players available at 11:50 a.m.) Also, please pick up the Advertiser's print edition if you live around here! Our fine Auburn coverage is only one element of our award-winning product.
Other observations
Here's a list of some stuff that didn't fit elsewhere: - Auburn-Ball State television information:
- Live:
FOX Sports Midwest
FOX Sports South
FOX Sports Southwest
FOX Sports Houston
- On delay:
FOX Sports Arizona (9/28 @ 6:30 p.m. PT)
FOX Sports West (9/26 @ 11:15 p.m. PT)
- NEW DE Hot Carter said tonight that he expects to play this weekend against Ball State.
- NEW DT Mike Blanc said he played sparingly against Louisiana Tech because he was being disciplined for tardiness. That was the night Nick Fairley started.
- Gene Chizik has gone out of his way to make Auburn hospitable to NFL scouts. I see them much more often these days. Moments ago, I saw a gaggle of scouts rolling through the lobby. They represented the Raiders, Chargers, Chiefs and Bills.
- Remember how Trooper Taylor always said Tim Hawthorne can't make the club in the tub? He apparently told No. 13 the same thing to his face. ``(I) probably thought about
tatting it on my forearm just to remind me."
- Hawthorne described Anthony Gulley as "the countriest guy I know."
- Ben Tate on why Auburn has outscored opponents 66-19 in the second half: ``I think it has to do with the pace of our offense. The defense has to start wearing down in the second half. That's when you start piling on the rushing yards, passing yards, whatever. The blocking gets a little easier for the offensive linemen, and that's when things start to happen."
Gene Chizik speaks, 9/22
.jpg) Welcome to Gene Chizik's weekly chat with reporters and associated hangers-on. - He has arrived.
- "There's a lot of improvement that needs to be made in a lot of areas -- just as we thought."
- "We're playing a football team that hasn't won a game ... but they're a good football team. We have to get refocused. We have to make Auburn better."
- "We're perfectionists. We want that perfect game ... knowing that perfect game is hard to come by."
- On this week in practice: ``We've got to tackle better. Whatever we do and howeever we approach the week defensively, tackling will be (the emphasis.) Tackling has been average. We've got to pay attention to that this week."
- On the possibility of a fall-off: ``We have 12 games to play. Every week, you've got to show up and be ready to play. I don't know if there's a druther in there -- we'd rather do this or rather do that. We have to take it one day at a time. I know that's cliche-ish ... but we're not good enough to do anything else."
- On second-half strengths: ``In the first half, we're feeling out the (defense). At halftime, we've made the necessary adjustments we need to make to get the job done. That's what their job is on game day."
- On how that affects players: ``Right now, our kids believe ... and not pay attention to the scoreboard. It's a 60-minute game. You have to keep choppin' wood. That's where we're at right now."
- On the need to play backups: "It's going to be a rough five-week stretch here and we know that. Everybody that can come in and give us a chance and give these guys who have played so many snaps ... that's huge. It's great for team morale. The more guys who play, it's better for your team."
- On Hot Carter: "We've tried to ramp up his conditioning. We hope to get a glimpse of him."
- On the possibility of Auburn overlooking Ball State: "I don't think that's an issue -- at all."
- On Anthony Gulley: When we gave him a little room, you could see a guy who is willing to take it up in there. That's a courageous spot. I really feel good about him being able to do that down the road."
- More on Gulley: "He's a tough kid. He's got a lot of courage. He really wants to be good."
- On redshirts: ``It's such a long season. One play can change the complexion of what our plans are. Tyrik hasn't played. Dontae hasn't played. We'd like to keep it that way. We'll just take that week by week."
- On which positions have surpassed his expectations: ``I don't know if I can fairly answer that. I've seen so much improvement. I see so many areas of opportunity. I don't think I can say that."
- That's a wrap.
First Post: Tuesday of Week Four
Hey everyone. I listened to The Trooper Taylor Video® about 200 times yesterday and I just don't hear the offending word. Wifey seems more convinced (ie 50%) that Taylor said a bad word ... though neither of us would consider it a scandal had he said a bad word. I'd normally chalk it up to a slow radio day, but we're in the middle of football season. Is it slow? You'll have to draw your own conclusions there. I heard Scott Van Pelt break out a big WAR EAGLE during the late ESPN highlights around midnight CDT. He was praising Ronnie Brown, now of Miami Dolphins fame, for his world with the Wild Fish offense. Here's the Auburn situation at this moment: TODAY'S STORIESPREVIOUS STORIESTHE VIDEO VAULTTODAY'S SCHEDULEYou're looking at BLOGGIN' FOR YOUR NOGGIN' at 11:30 a.m. CDT followed by comments from selected players around 2. Classes prevent most kids from making that noon interview session, so we learn much more after practice ... around 8 p.m. A video is likely. Here's what the next few days look like. All times are CDT: Tue., Sept. 22, 4:30 p.m. (Chizik presser at 11:30 a.m.; Players available at 11:50 a.m.) Wed., Sept. 23, 4:30 p.m. Thu., Sept. 24, 4:30 p.m. Fri., Sept. 25, OFF Sat., Sept. 26, vs. Ball State, 6 p.m. (Fox Sports South)Sun., Sept. 27, 5 p.m. Mon., Sept. 28, OFF Tue., Sept. 29, 4:30 p.m. (Chizik presser at 11:30 a.m.; Players available at 11:50 a.m.) Also, please pick up the Advertiser's print edition if you live around here! Our fine Auburn coverage is only one element of our award-winning product.
Auburn vs. Tennessee game time announced
 Hey everyone. Everyone who had "night game" in the AU/UT pool is feeling mighty good about things right now. ESPN has picked up the game and will televise it beginning at 6:45 p.m. CDT on Oct. 3. The game will be played in Neyland Stadium, a large facility that holds lots of fans, and should provide an intriguing matchup. Tennessee's power-run game could be an issue for the Tigers' defensive front. Auburn's multi-dimensional offense could be an issue for Tennessee's linebackers.
Craig Stevens gets some love
 Hey everyone. Linebacker Craig Stevens, known to many as simply "Fo Sicks," has been named the SEC's Defensive Player of the Week. He notched a career-high mark of 11 tackles against West Virginia. You may also remember his 15-yard interception return that sealed Auburn's victory. He has long arms, too. Photo credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn University
First Post: Monday of Week Four
Hey everyone. I haven't seen rain for 24 hours now, which is the longest dry period at my house since Sept. 10. It's kinda wet. If you don't live down here, be glad right now. Last night's video was fun to shoot. Anthony Gulley, who is featured, was a difficult interview a month ago. He's a freshman from a very small town. He's quiet. He was too nervous. Last night, though, he was much more composed and insightful. As someone with a background in psychology, it's cool to see kids modify themselves as they gain experience. You're going to like Gulley a lot as he improves and gains more day-to-day relevance. Here's the Auburn situation at this moment: TODAY'S STORIESPREVIOUS STORIESTHE VIDEO VAULTTODAY'S SCHEDULELes Tigres are off today. Not much going on today. Suggestions? Here's what the next few days look like. All times are CDT: Mon., Sept. 21, OFF Tue., Sept. 22, 4:30 p.m. (Chizik presser at 11:30 a.m.; Players available at 11:50 a.m.) Wed., Sept. 23, 4:30 p.m. Thu., Sept. 24, 4:30 p.m. Fri., Sept. 25, OFF Sat., Sept. 26, vs. Ball State, 6 p.m. (Fox Sports South)Sun., Sept. 27, 5 p.m. Mon., Sept. 28, OFF Tue., Sept. 29, 4:30 p.m. (Chizik presser at 11:30 a.m.; Players available at 11:50 a.m.) Also, please pick up the Advertiser's print edition if you live around here! Our fine Auburn coverage is only one element of our award-winning product.
Chizik speaks: 9/21
Here we go: - ``It's great to be in a situation where we're 3-0."
- We just kinda hung in there, some good things happened and we won it. We have to fix some issues, but it was a good win for our team."
 - On Chris Todd: ``Gus has done a great job with him in terms of him having a great feel for the offense. It's a new year. The past is behind us. That doesn't mean we won't run into some stormy weather. It's all about how you want to approach it mentally. (Todd) has been really good with understanding that it's a long game."
- ``I'm just proud that he's got that sticktoitiveness to him."
- ``We've got a lot of work to do on defense. A lot of the yardage last night was just missed tackles, believe it or not. I'm not making excuses; I'm just stating what happened. We're still having a problem getting off the field on third down. We have to go back and revisit some of that."
- ``There are a lot of things to fix, but there were a lot of positives, too."
- ``They weren't your ordinary-type turnovers. Guys had to make plays to get them."
- On Tim Hawthorne: ``It was very meaningful for him. It was one of those situation where he's done everything he could do. He has such a hunger to get back out there. He's really worked hard to get in position to even be out there. I wasn't sure that he'd be able to come back after two games.
He loves football. He worked hard to get out there."
- On Eric Smith: ``He's a football players. That's just what he is. He bocks as a fullback, he can run as a tailback, he plays on return teams. He contributes a lot to our team."
- On the need for passing last night: ``Every week, we're not going to be able to run the ball. We're going to do what the defense allows us to do. A high percentage of the time last night, they were putting and eighth guy in there. He's unblockable. We go in every week knowing that we have to run the football. It's all based on what they're going to allow you to do.
- On Ball State: ``We're going to do what we always do. You hope you have enough older guys, a focus-enough team. They'll come in here. They'll be fired up play in this type of venue."
- On the need for momentum coming out of the Ball State game: ``We need to see a great deal of improvement between Game 3 and Game 4. We've won three games, but I can't say there's any phase that any coach, including me, is happy about. I'm happy that they've played hard. I'm happy that we've won. We haven't put a full game together."
- On Zaccheus Etheridge's apparent injury: ``His injuries aren't a concern."
- On Tommy Trott: ``He practiced a very little bit, but he has so much experience. It was more important for us to give him some healing time rather than have him run a route for the 105th time."
- On tackling with leverage: ``That's part of our problem right now. We've got to understand where our help is coming from. That's tackling 101 … and I'm not sure we're there yet. We're going to address all that."
- On what he learned about his team Saturday: ``They just keep playing. They don't let circumstances dictate how they play."
- On what he heard from recruits: ``Loved our crowd. That was the first thing that came out of their mouths. Take our students for instance. I don't think they left their spots. People take notice of that. That was the first thing that was very impressive to our recruits. And just the fact that we fought through and beat a good football team."
First Post: Sunday of Week Four
 Hey everyone. What an exciting game that was. I had on;y a few minutes to piece together today's main story (linked below) but I really enjoy those kinds of stories in a sense. I have to write based on gut instinct rather than taking time to review everything I'd seen during the past four hours. So I wrote about the defense. Yes, Auburn allowed more than 500 yards last night. That's not very good. On the other hand, the Tigers intercepted five passes and recovered a fumble. So the defense took center stage in the fact that a.) their troubles created suspense and b.) their opportunistic work eventually eliminated suspense. A mixed bag? I'd say so. Auburn defenders should expect plenty of tackling drills this week. The interesting thing about that is ... many of the missed tackles were by experienced players. I'm not sure what Josh Bynes or Craig Stevens are going to learn by participating in more tackling drills, but I'm sure they'll be participating anyway. We had great in-game participation last night. Thanks to you all for sharing your gameday with our fine little community. Here's the Auburn situation at this moment: TODAY'S STORIESPREVIOUS STORIESTHE VIDEO VAULTTODAY'S SCHEDULEChizik's teleconference has been delayed until 4:30. It will be held at 4:30 for the rest of the season. I'll post comments as soon as I get back from the powwow. I'll also build a video for evening consumption. That should be live around 8:30 p.m. Here's what the next few days look like. All times are CDT: Sun., Sept. 20, 5 p.m. Mon., Sept. 21, OFF Tue., Sept. 22, 4:30 p.m. (Chizik presser at 11:30 a.m.; Players available at 11:50 a.m.) Wed., Sept. 23, 4:30 p.m. Thu., Sept. 24, 4:30 p.m. Fri., Sept. 25, OFF Sat., Sept. 26, vs. Ball State, 6 p.m. (Fox Sports South)Sun., Sept. 27, 5 p.m. Also, please pick up the Advertiser's print edition if you live around here! Our fine Auburn coverage is only one element of our award-winning product. Photo credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn University
|
|
Hey everyone. I'll make this a repository of post-game information.
.jpg)
