TigerEyes1914
09-23-2007, 02:05 PM
Young guns lead the way
As youth movements go, the one Auburn unveiled on its offensive line Saturday against New Mexico State was pretty successful.
Three true freshmen started up front for AU: Right tackle Lee Ziemba, right guard Chaz Ramsey and left tackle Ryan Pugh. Ziemba has started every game for AU; the other two freshmen had never played in a game.
The rookies weren’t perfect - coaches said the trio missed a few blocks and occasionally blocked the wrong man. But it was tough to argue with the results.
AU ran for 229 yards, the Tigers’ highest total since last year’s season opener against Washington State. And New Mexico State’s defense managed just one sack, though Auburn’s quarterbacks dropped back 25 times.
"It was good to see some fresh faces out there," Tuberville said. "Whether they blocked the right guy or not, they were down the field trying to make a block."
Quarterback Brandon Cox agreed.
"They’ll get after it," the quarterback said. "They might not know who they’re blocking every time, but they’re coming off the ball and blocking somebody.
"They were really excited to be out there, and they took advantage tonight."
Injury report
Three AU starters - linebacker Tray Blackmon (ankle), linebacker Merrill Johnson (shoulder) and left tackle King Dunlap (elbow) - did not dress out Saturday. Blackmon is expected to return next Saturday against Florida; the status of Johnson and Dunlap’s is unknown.
Offensive guard Mike Berry (shoulder) dressed out, but was replaced by Ramsey. Berry played in the fourth quarter with the second-team offense.
Punter Ryan Shoemaker didn’t start; his replacement, walk-on Patrick Tatum, averaged 45.5 yards per punt. Shoemaker kicked once in the fourth quarter, booming a 62-yard punt into the NMSU end zone.
Place-kicker Wes Byrum kicked off for the first time since suffering an ankle injury in the season opener. Byrum had four touchbacks; the freshman also hit seven of eight extra points.
WR commits to AU
When Columbus, Ga., quarterback Deron Furr committed to Auburn in June, Furr was more than a recruit. The quarterback was also a recruiter.
Furr’s teammate, wide receiver Jarmon Fortson, was one of Auburn’s top targets in the 2008 recruiting class. When Furr committed, he vowed to sell Fortson on AU as well.
Saturday, those recruiting efforts paid off.
Fortson committed to AU on Saturday, becoming the Tigers’ 12th verbal commitment.
"I decided to go ahead and do it after talking with Deron, my mom and my coaches. It just felt like the right place for me," Fortson told Auburnsports.com. "It takes a lot of pressure of me now. I can just concentrate on my senior season."
The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Fortson is rated a three-star prospect by Rivals.com. Rivals also rates Fortson the No. 38 player in Georgia.
Fortson chose AU over scholarship offers from Kentucky, Louisville, South Carolina, Alabama and Troy.
Etc…
CB Jonathan Wilhite’s two interceptions are the most for an Auburn defender since Junior Rosegreen had four against Tennessee in 2004. … WR Rod Smith had 86 receiving yards, a career high; Smith also scored two touchdowns. … Tatum gained 9 yards on a third-quarter fake punt, his first career carry. … DE Sen’Derrick Marks recorded his first career interception in the third quarter.
Best of the Day
Best hit: Jerraud Powers laid the wood to NMSU’s A.J. Harris on a short pass completion, knocking Harris’ helmet off and jarring the ball loose. The fumble was returned for a 21-yard touchdown by Pat Sims.
Best first pass: Kodi Burns’ first pass attempt of the day went to Rodgeriqus Smith for a 58-yard touchdown in the first quarter.
Best sign Riverboat Gambler still tricky: Punter Patrick Tatum took the long snap on fourth and five, tucked the pigskin and took off around the right end for a first down late in the third period.
Best drive killer: AU’s Jonathan Wilhite made a diving interception on NMSU’s first drive of the third quarter. The Aggies cruised to the Auburn 45 until Wilhite’s pick.
Worst of the Day
Worst start: Auburn takes opening kickoff and goes three-and-out on three consecutive rushes by Kodi Burns. Tigers also go three-and-out on their second possession. This time the Auburn strategy was three rushes from Ben Tate.
Worst road ahead: Three of Auburn’s next four games are on the road: at Florida, at Arkansas and at LSU. Pretty tough for a team still fighting to break .500.
Worst intro: Brandon Cox entered the game in the second quarter and fumbled the snap on his first play. The gaffe set up an Aggie touchdown.
Worst drops: WR Robert Dunn had a pair of tough drops. The first was from Kodi Burns on a comeback-route that should have been an easy catch. The second would have been a TD bomb from Brandon Cox.:sad::sad:
Unsung Hero
Quentin Groves
Still looking for his record-tying 26th career sack, the AU senior defensive end made a huge play that won’t go down in any record or stat book. On New Mexico State’s second possession of the third quarter, Groves, dropping in pass coverage, knocked Aggie running back Justine Buries off his screen route just enough for NMSU quarterback to make a bad thrown. AU defensive tackle Sen’Derrick Marks was there to make the interception, setting up Auburn’s game-clinching touchdown.
As youth movements go, the one Auburn unveiled on its offensive line Saturday against New Mexico State was pretty successful.
Three true freshmen started up front for AU: Right tackle Lee Ziemba, right guard Chaz Ramsey and left tackle Ryan Pugh. Ziemba has started every game for AU; the other two freshmen had never played in a game.
The rookies weren’t perfect - coaches said the trio missed a few blocks and occasionally blocked the wrong man. But it was tough to argue with the results.
AU ran for 229 yards, the Tigers’ highest total since last year’s season opener against Washington State. And New Mexico State’s defense managed just one sack, though Auburn’s quarterbacks dropped back 25 times.
"It was good to see some fresh faces out there," Tuberville said. "Whether they blocked the right guy or not, they were down the field trying to make a block."
Quarterback Brandon Cox agreed.
"They’ll get after it," the quarterback said. "They might not know who they’re blocking every time, but they’re coming off the ball and blocking somebody.
"They were really excited to be out there, and they took advantage tonight."
Injury report
Three AU starters - linebacker Tray Blackmon (ankle), linebacker Merrill Johnson (shoulder) and left tackle King Dunlap (elbow) - did not dress out Saturday. Blackmon is expected to return next Saturday against Florida; the status of Johnson and Dunlap’s is unknown.
Offensive guard Mike Berry (shoulder) dressed out, but was replaced by Ramsey. Berry played in the fourth quarter with the second-team offense.
Punter Ryan Shoemaker didn’t start; his replacement, walk-on Patrick Tatum, averaged 45.5 yards per punt. Shoemaker kicked once in the fourth quarter, booming a 62-yard punt into the NMSU end zone.
Place-kicker Wes Byrum kicked off for the first time since suffering an ankle injury in the season opener. Byrum had four touchbacks; the freshman also hit seven of eight extra points.
WR commits to AU
When Columbus, Ga., quarterback Deron Furr committed to Auburn in June, Furr was more than a recruit. The quarterback was also a recruiter.
Furr’s teammate, wide receiver Jarmon Fortson, was one of Auburn’s top targets in the 2008 recruiting class. When Furr committed, he vowed to sell Fortson on AU as well.
Saturday, those recruiting efforts paid off.
Fortson committed to AU on Saturday, becoming the Tigers’ 12th verbal commitment.
"I decided to go ahead and do it after talking with Deron, my mom and my coaches. It just felt like the right place for me," Fortson told Auburnsports.com. "It takes a lot of pressure of me now. I can just concentrate on my senior season."
The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Fortson is rated a three-star prospect by Rivals.com. Rivals also rates Fortson the No. 38 player in Georgia.
Fortson chose AU over scholarship offers from Kentucky, Louisville, South Carolina, Alabama and Troy.
Etc…
CB Jonathan Wilhite’s two interceptions are the most for an Auburn defender since Junior Rosegreen had four against Tennessee in 2004. … WR Rod Smith had 86 receiving yards, a career high; Smith also scored two touchdowns. … Tatum gained 9 yards on a third-quarter fake punt, his first career carry. … DE Sen’Derrick Marks recorded his first career interception in the third quarter.
Best of the Day
Best hit: Jerraud Powers laid the wood to NMSU’s A.J. Harris on a short pass completion, knocking Harris’ helmet off and jarring the ball loose. The fumble was returned for a 21-yard touchdown by Pat Sims.
Best first pass: Kodi Burns’ first pass attempt of the day went to Rodgeriqus Smith for a 58-yard touchdown in the first quarter.
Best sign Riverboat Gambler still tricky: Punter Patrick Tatum took the long snap on fourth and five, tucked the pigskin and took off around the right end for a first down late in the third period.
Best drive killer: AU’s Jonathan Wilhite made a diving interception on NMSU’s first drive of the third quarter. The Aggies cruised to the Auburn 45 until Wilhite’s pick.
Worst of the Day
Worst start: Auburn takes opening kickoff and goes three-and-out on three consecutive rushes by Kodi Burns. Tigers also go three-and-out on their second possession. This time the Auburn strategy was three rushes from Ben Tate.
Worst road ahead: Three of Auburn’s next four games are on the road: at Florida, at Arkansas and at LSU. Pretty tough for a team still fighting to break .500.
Worst intro: Brandon Cox entered the game in the second quarter and fumbled the snap on his first play. The gaffe set up an Aggie touchdown.
Worst drops: WR Robert Dunn had a pair of tough drops. The first was from Kodi Burns on a comeback-route that should have been an easy catch. The second would have been a TD bomb from Brandon Cox.:sad::sad:
Unsung Hero
Quentin Groves
Still looking for his record-tying 26th career sack, the AU senior defensive end made a huge play that won’t go down in any record or stat book. On New Mexico State’s second possession of the third quarter, Groves, dropping in pass coverage, knocked Aggie running back Justine Buries off his screen route just enough for NMSU quarterback to make a bad thrown. AU defensive tackle Sen’Derrick Marks was there to make the interception, setting up Auburn’s game-clinching touchdown.