The Auburn Plainsman Mississippi State Game Day tab 09.12.13

SEPTEMBER 12, 2013

AUBURN vs. MISSISSIPPI STATE

GAME DAY

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4 PAGE

7 PAGE

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Know Your Enemy: Q&A with MSU’s The Reflector

Auburn’s Top 5 Games vs. Mississippi State

Freshman Focus: ‘Rudy’ wants ‘to win right now’

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The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day Edition

Thursday, September 12, 2013

TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S PAGE 3 The Plainsman sports editor Will Gaines previews Saturday’s game PAGE 4 Know Your Enemy: Q&A with The Reflector’s John Galatas PAGE 5 Campus Corner: Fans sound off on early successes

PAGE 7 Top Five Games vs. Mississippi State

PAGE 10 Senior Spotlight: Steven Clark Freshman Focus: Johnathan Ford

PAGE 8 Auburn and Mississippi State Depth Charts

PAGE 11 Plainsman Picks

PAGE 9 What to watch for in Auburn’s first SEC showdown of 2013

PAGE 12 Auburn in the NFL:Week 1

COVER PHOTO: KATHERINE MCCAHEY / SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHER

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The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day Edition

EDITOR’S PREVIEW

Can Auburn end its SEC winless streak?

After victories over Washington State and Arkansas State to kick off the Malzahn Era, the Tigers aim for their first conference win since October 2011 Will Gaines sports@theplainsman. com

Last week’s win against Arkansas State was a good win for the Tigers, but more improvement is still necessary.

The good news for Auburn fans is improvements are being made.

Auburn finished with 301 yards rushing against Arkansas State, which was slightly more than week one’s rushing total of 297 yards.

However, in the second game, the ground game was more solid.

All three running backs got involved, and Cameron Artis-Payne was better at getting the tough yards between the tackles.

Nick Marshall is still a work in progress, but he played better in game two, going 10for-17 for 167 yards with two touchdown passes and 65 rushing yards.

He looked more comfortable, but he still needs to make quicker passing decisions, because the game is only going to get faster as Auburn transitions into SEC play.

The biggest factor for Marshall is he still has not thrown an interception.

This trend needs to continue.

Defensively, Auburn still has a lot of holes, but against Arkansas State they showed more fight than an Auburn defense has shown in a long time.

Stopping the Red Wolves three times on fourth down was nice to see, especially against a team that runs the ball well.

Further, not allowing any touchdowns and forcing Arkansas State to only score field goals was a big defensive improvement.

This defense still has a long way to go, but improvements are being made and they need to continue to be made.

Now it’s time for Mississippi State.

This is an important game for Auburn, and it has been for a few years.

Auburn will be looking to snap a 10-game losing streak against SEC opponents this

week.

Also, this is a game that will determine the ceiling for this year’s team.

Because Auburn will likely be underdogs in most of their SEC games, Auburn needs to win both favored games and tossup games against teams such as Mississippi State.

Auburn also has the revenge factor working in its favor.

Last season, Mississippi State embarrassed the Tigers and gave a glimpse into how bad the 2012 season was going to be.

This season, Auburn will be looking to get revenge on the Bulldogs and kick the SEC season off right.

A big factor for Mississippi State is the playing status of their quarterback Tyler Russell. He suffered a concussion in week one against Oklahoma State, and did not play last week against Alcorn State.

Russell torched Auburn’s defense last year, throwing for 222 yards and three touchdowns. If Auburn does not find a way to contain him this year, it will be a long day for the Tigers’ defense.

Replacing Russell last week was freshman Dak Prescott, who went 12-for-19 for 174 yards in the 51-7 victory against Alcorn State.

Prescott is a solid quarterback, but Russell will be much tougher to defend.

This game is a tough one to predict, but home-field advantage should work in Auburn’s favor.

If Auburn wants to walk away with a victory, the run game will need to be effective, and turnovers on the defensive side of the ball will be pivotal.

This game will be a close, physical, game that could be decided late in the fourth quarter.

Auburn wins this game 24–20, but it will be a tough victory.

Auburn’s defense must make big plays because the offense does not have enough firepower to take control of a game yet.

Revenge will be a big motivator because Auburn wants its respect back in the SEC, and this week will be a good first step on the journey back up the SEC ladder.

Katherine mccahey / Sports photographer

Kicker Cody Parkey ponders a call on the field during the Arkansas State game.

Katherine mccahey / Sports photographer

Linebacker JaViere Mitchell sprints towards the ball carrier during the Arkansas State game.

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The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day Edition

Thursday, September 12, 2013

KNOW YOUR ENEMY

The Reflector’s sports editor talks Tigers vs. Bulldogs John Galatas reflectorsports@ gmail.com

John Galatas, sports editor for Mississippi State University’s The Reflector, answers six questions regarding this week’s matchup against the Bulldogs.

1. Mississippi State started the 2013 season with a neutral site loss to Oklahoma State, but the Bulldogs bounced back with a win over Alcorn State last week.

How would you grade the team at this point in the early season?

With Mississippi State’s 1-1 record, it’s tough to grade this team so far after looking at its opponents and injuries. There were a lot

of questions entering the season, and even more questions arose after posting just three points in the loss to Oklahoma State. MSU was plagued with injuries in the opening game, and several starters did not play against Alcorn.

Fans are eager to get most of the starters back for the Auburn game to get a better understanding of where the team is. This Auburn game, I think, is going to be the swing game of the season for the Bulldogs and set the tone for the rest of the season.

2. How do Bulldog fans view Dan Mullen right now? Do they still have faith that he can lead Mississippi State to bigger things in the SEC? For years Mississippi State served as the doormat of the SEC. Then Mullen came along in 2009, and fans

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saw optimism right away. Although the Bulldogs finished 5-7 in his first year, MSU ended the season with an upset win over Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl. With highs and lows throughout 2010 and 2011, faith was at an all-time high last season after a 7-0 start. Then the schedule provided Alabama, LSU and Texas A&M, and MSU went on to lose 5 of its next 6 games.

I think overall there is a concern in the drop of offensive production. Mullen is an offensive-minded coach, and many questions surround his use of players. There is still optimism Mullen can lead this program to a conference title, it just may take a little more time to plug in the right players to fit the offense.

Obviously, that is easier said than done when you’re competing in the SEC to recruit.

3. With most of the schedule still left, what do you think Mississippi State’s record will be at season’s end?

At the beginning of the season I predicted Mississippi State to finish with a 5-7 record. I’ll stand by that mark, but I think the range can be as great as 7-5. The Bulldogs opened with a tough non-conference opponent in Oklahoma State, but beat Alcorn and still have Troy and Bowling Green which should boost the win column. MSU hosts LSU and Alabama and travels to Texas A&M and South Carolina, each of which I think will be too much for the Dogs to handle.

If MSU were to steal one of those match ups, I like the way the LSU game sets itself up. Troy and Bowling Green bookend the LSU game for the Bulldogs, and I think the Tigers are set up for a classic trap game as they play at Georgia the week before and Florida the week after.

MSU still hosts Kentucky on a Thursday night, but I think the swing games will come at Auburn, at Arkansas and Ole Miss.

The Auburn series always provides classic games, Arkansas is still questionable as they contin-

ue to find their identity and tensions will run high on Thanksgiving night when the Rebels come to town. That season-ending Egg Bowl match up can determine whether or not the Dogs will go bowling this season.

4. Who are some Mississippi State players Auburn fans need to keep their eye on in this SEC opener?

Offensively, Auburn fans need to keep on eye quarterback Tyler Russell at the helm of the offense. Russell has a strong arm and can spread the field with multiple targets.

Quarterback Dak Prescott adds a running element to the offense in short-yard situations as well.

Also watch out for Bulldog wide receiver Jameon Lewis. Lewis is a play maker as a down-field threat and can provide the big play when needed. He also reminds me of Auburn’s Onterrio McCalebb as a dangerous special teams player.

Fans got a good glimpse of running backs Josh Robinson and Nick Griffin in Perkins’ absence last week, and it would not surprise me if one of those two gets some reps to balance the running game.

The defense runs through linebackers Benardrick McKinney and Deontae Skinner. Both players are talented in stopping the run and creating traffic in the passing lanes.

The ‘Dogs will also get defensive backs Nickoe Whitley and Jamerson Love from injuries to defend the long ball.

5. What do Mississippi State fans think about Auburn and this divisional rivalry?

Auburn has a firm hand on the overall series, but there’s no question games between these two teams have given fans quality match ups as of late. I’ve been to my fair share of games, both in Starkville and Jordan-Hare, and I can honestly say this series has provided the most memories for me.

But I think 2010 with Cam Newton was when fans really started to recognize this as a rivalry, or when it

really took off, at least. I don’t think Bulldog fans can ignore (or forget) MSU’s involvement in Newton’s recruiting investigation, and since then Auburn has become one of those games that subtly determines the rest of the season.

I can honestly say, though, I love the atmosphere Auburn provides on game day. Out of the 11 SEC stadiums I’ve visited, I’ve never felt more welcomed or experienced more hospitality that I have at Auburn. I’m certainly looking forward to another visit to the loveliest village on the plains this year.

6. Alright, prediction time.

How do you see this one going down?

Offensively, I have to give Auburn the advantage. State has some younger wide receivers that will be playing in a hostile road environment. MSU did not look very strong in its season opener against Oklahoma State, and questions still surround the offense as most of its key performers sat out in week 2.

Red zone chances will be at a premium Saturday. Auburn is going to be a great test of where the Bulldog offense stands going forward the rest of the way.

Defensively, I’m going to give MSU a slight advantage. The Dogs have a veteran defensive line that can battle in the trenches and a secondary defense that can eliminate the deep ball.

The question, for me, comes at linebacker. MSU has talent, but it’s going to be interesting to see how they can contain Auburn’s loaded backfield.

Special teams is another aspect I think will be a factor. The kick return game and field position will be key for possessions, and Auburn has more experience in the kicking game with Cody Parkey.

Overall, this game is going to be another tight battle that we’ve seen lately between these two. I think whoever can win the turnover battle will come out on top. I’ll give the home team the advantage in a close one.

Thursday, September 12, 2013

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The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day Edition

CAMPUS CORNER

Fans ‘cautiously hopeful’ after early successes Eric Wallace Sports Writer

The return of head football coach Gus Malzahn’s spread offense has brought excitement and hope to an Auburn fan base that is still shaking off the disappointment of last year’s 3–9 season.

Two early victories and the return of explosive offensive plays have fans optimistic about the program’s future.

“I won’t say that I’ll be satisfied with going to a bowl, but it would obviously be an improvement,” said Jackson Bradford, senior in applied mathematics. “As far as the next couple years, I think we’re moving in the right direction.”

After last season’s failed attempt at running a pro-style offense, fans seem encouraged by the return of the spread system many of Auburn’s players were recruited for originally.

“We didn’t recruit to the pro-style and the players just weren’t suited for it,” said Carey Farr, a long time Auburn fan from Huntsville. “The spread lets us take advantage of our quick running backs and let them use their speed.”

Malzahn’s most successful season at Auburn as offensive coordinator showed the nation what a dual-threat quarterback could do in his system.

“Malzahn is a genius at this type of stuff,” Bradford said. “They may not have the throwing ability of a pocket passer, but we’ve seen it before with guys like Cam Newton that they can be even better.”

Mobile quarterbacks have become increasingly common in college football, and many Auburn fans seem comfortable relying on a dual-threat quarterback against stout SEC defenses.

Though optimism abounds, the struggles Malzahn’s offense experienced in 2011 leave some wondering if his offense depends on the strength of a Heisman-caliber quarterback.

“I’m concerned about how 2011 went after we lost Cam [Newton], so I’m interested to see if that’ll happen again,” said Keith Morris, a fan from Perdido Beach. “I’m cautiously hopeful about our chances.”

Some went as far to say that a pocket passer may provide the Tigers with more consistency in future seasons.

“The mobile quarterbacks are coming on strong right now, but in recent years we’ve had our struggles,” said Wes Bredehoft, freshman in chemistry. “I wouldn’t mind seeing a pocket passer.”

While not everyone agrees on what direction will bring Auburn

jenna burgess / photographer

The student section celebrates Auburn’s 38–9 over Arkansas State.

the most success, early wins and recruiting success have brought cautious optimism to a fan base desperate for a return to relevancy.

Friday, October 4

“I think hiring Malzahn gave a lot of people optimism around here,” Farr said. “Obviously, if possible, I’d like another Cam Newton, too.”

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AUBURN’S TOP FIVE GAMES VS. MISSISSIPPI STATE

After a thrilling victory in their season opener against Utah State, the 2011 Auburn Tigers had to pull off another last-second victory in their next game.

The defending national champions raced out to a 14–0 lead on touchdowns from running back Michael Dyer and defensive back Demetruce McNeal. But the Bulldogs, led by quarterback Chris Relf, turned the game into a must-see shootout over the final three quarters.

Philip Lutzenkirchen’s touchdown reception early in the fourth quarter proved to be the game-winning score.

Relf ’s offense came close to a gametying touchdown, but safety Ryan Smith made a superb tackle inches in front of the goal line for the win.

No. 3: Auburn – 17 Mississippi State – 16 Oct. 27, 1990

No. 2: Auburn – 16 Mississippi State – 14 Oct. 6, 2001

No. 1: Auburn – 41 Mississippi State – 34 Sept. 10, 2011

No. 4: Auburn – 17 Mississippi State – 14 Sept. 9, 2010 The eventual BCS National Champions faced their toughest defensive test of the season in Starkville, where the high-octane Tiger offense was held to its lowest point total of the season.

Despite over 350 yards of total offense, Cam Newton did not enjoy a ton of scoring success against the team that almost signed him earlier that year.

Auburn scored all of their points in the first half of this game, with Wes Byrum notching the eventual game-winning points in the second quarter. After giving up a long touchdown drive in the third quarter, the Auburn defense stood strong in the fourth, preserving their second win of 2010.

October 2001 would go down in Auburn football history as The Month of Damon Duval.

One week before his game-winning kick sank the No. 1 Florida Gators, Duval kicked three field goals in the fourth quarter of this matchup with Mississippi State, who led for most of this game.

The Auburn running game racked up an impressive 214 yards on 48 carries in this game but was only held to one touchdown, a 50yard score from Casinious Moore.

The visiting Bulldogs held a touchdown lead heading into the fourth quarter on the road.

Then Duval took over, kicking a 47-yard field goal with just seconds left on the game clock.

No. 5: Auburn – 3 Mississippi State – 2 Sept. 13, 2008

Then the No. 2 team in the country, the 1990 Auburn Tigers also needed some special team heroics to pull off a win over Mississippi State.

A stronger Auburn team jumped out to an early lead, but the Bulldogs were not going to have their shot at an upset denied that easily.

Mississippi State quarterback Chris Shell heroically led the Bulldogs to touchdowns in the final minutes of each half.

However, Auburn linebacker Darrel Crawford blocked Mississippi State’s extra-point attempt late in the fourth quarter. The visiting Tigers would run out the clock to keep their high ranking intact and extend their winning streak over the Bulldogs to eight games.

You cannot go through a list of memorable Auburn-Mississippi State games without mentioning “the game that set football back 100 years.”

The Tigers got a short field goal from Wes Byrum in the second half of this battle in Starkville, and that would be all the points they needed in a scoreline that resembled an average baseball game.

It was not pretty, but it was certainly memorable. Even defensiveminded head coach Tommy Tuberville said he wished there were more points scored in this one.

Byrum missed two field goals, the Auburn offfense had three turnovers and Mississippi State’s only points came off a rare safety.

COMPILED BY JUSTIN FERGUSON / ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

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The Auburn Plainsman Start your football weekend with...

Game day Publication Dates:

Team depth charts

offense QUARTERBACK Nick Marshall - 14 Jonathan Wallace - 12 Jeremy Johnson - 6 RUNNING BACK Tre Mason - 21 Corey Grant - 20 Cameron Artis-Payne

Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 24 N o v. 1 4 N o v. 2 1

vs. Ole Miss vs. W. Carolina (HC) vs. Florida Atlantic vs. Georgia Iron Bowl vs. Alabama

LOOK F O NEXT I R OUR SS OCTOB UE ON ER 3RD !

RVE E E S E R SPAC D A R YOU ODAY! T

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Thursday, September 12, 2013

- 44 H-BACK Jay Prosch - 35 Gage Batten - 40 WIDE RECEIVERS Sammie Coates - 18 Jaylon Denson - 89 Quan Bray - 4 Ricardo Louis - 5 Trovon Reed - 1 Marcus Davis -80 TIGHT END Brandon Fulse - 11 C.J. Uzomah - 81 LEFT TACKLE Greg Robinson - 73 Shon Coleman - 72

offense QUARTERBACK Tyler Russell - 17 Dak Prescott - 15 RUNNING BACK LaDarius Perkins - 27 Josh Robinson - 34 Nick Griffin - 7 WIDE RECEIVERS Joe Morrow - 16 Jameon Lewis - 4 Robert Johnson - 12’ De’Runnya Wilson - 81 Brandon Holloway - 10 Jeremey Chappelle - 84 TIGHT END Malcolm Johnson - 6 Brandon Hill - 18 LEFT TACKLE Blaine Clausell - 75 Damien Robinson - 78 LEFT GUARD Gabe Jackson - 61

LEFT GUARD Alex Kozan - 63 Devonte Danzey - 53 CENTER Reese Dismukes - 50 Tunde Fariyike - 65 RIGHT GUARD Chad Slade - 62 Jordan Diamond - 76 RIGHT TACKLE Patrick Miller - 51 Avery Young - 56

Defense DEFENSIVE END Craig Sanders - 13 Nosa Eguae - 94 Elijah Daniel - 97 DEF. TACKLE Angelo Blackson - 98 Montravius Adams - 1 JaBrian Niles - 93 DEF. TACKLE Angelo Blackson - 54 Gabe Wright -90 Ben Bradley - 50

Archie Muniz - 59 CENTER Dillon Day - 63 Dylan Holley - 55 RIGHT GUARD Ben Beckwith - 66 Damien Robinson - 78 RIGHT TACKLE Charles Siddoway - 77 Justin Senior - 58

Defense DEFENSIVE END Preston Smith - 91 Ryan Brown - 48 DEF. TACKLE Chris Jones - 96 Nelson Adams - 94 DEF. TACKLE Kaleb Eulls - 92 Jordan Washington - 95 DEFENSIVE END Denico Autry - 90 Chris Jones - 96

DEFENSIVE END LaDarius Owens - 10 Kenneth Carter - 92 Carl Lawson - 55 MIDDLE LINEBACKER Jake Holland - 5 *Kris Frost - 17 WILL LINEBACKER Cassanova McKinzy - 8 Anthony Swain - 43 JaViere Mitchell - 16 STAR Justin Garrett - 26 Robenson Therezie - 27 CORNERBACK Jonathan Mincy - 6 Kamryn Melton - 37 FREE SAFETY Jermaine Whitehead - 9 Ryan Smith - 24 STRONG SAFETY Joshua Holsey - 15 Kiehl Frazier - 25 CORNERBACK Chris Davis -11 Ryan White - 19

special teams

OUTSIDE LINEBACKER Matthew Wells - 22 Zach Jackson - 14 MIDDLE LINEBACKER

special Teams

Benardrick McKinney

- 50 Richie Brown - 39 OUTSIDE LINEBACKER Deonate Skinner - 11 Beniquez Brown - 42 CORNERBACK Cedric Jiles - 13 Kivon Coman - 33 FREE SAFETY Nickoe Whitley - 1 Dee Arrington - 38 STRONG SAFETY Kendrick Market - 26 Quandray Antoine - 29 CORNERBACK Taveze Calhoun - 23 Justin Cox - 9

PLACE KICKER Cody Parkey - 36 Alex Carlson - 38 PUNTER Steven Clark - 30 Jimmy Hutchinson - 20 DEEP SNAPPER Jake Lembke - 59 Forrest Hill - 48 HOLDER Ryan White - 19 Jonathan Wallace-12 PUNT RETURNER Chris Davis - 11 Quan Bray - 4 KICK RETURNER Tre Mason - 21 Corey Grant - 20 Quan Bray - 4 Ricardo Louis - 5 *Suspended for First Half of MSU Game

PLACE KICKER Devon Bell - 40 Evan Sobiesk - 40 PUNTER Baker Swedenberg - 41 Mike Mordecai - 39 DEEP SNAPPER Winston Chapman - 72 PUNT RETURNER Jameon Lewis - 4 KICK RETURNER Jameon Lewis - 4 LaDarius Perkins - 27

Thursday, September 12, 2013

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The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day Edition

What to watch for in Auburn’s first SEC showdown Kyle Van Fechtmann SPORTS@THEPLAINSMAN. COM

After an impressive 38–9 victory against Arkansas State, Auburn is ready to go 3–0 in their SEC opener at home against the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

In order to win Saturday, Sept. 14, Auburn must jump out to an early lead.

Why? Since head coach Dan Mullen arrived in Starkville in 2009, Mississippi State is 25–2 when leading at halftime. Mississippi State is also 28–0 when ahead of their opponent after three quarters under Mullen.

THE GROUND GAME A main factor in which team jumps out to that early lead first will be which team’s running game will have a bigger impact. The running back unit that ends the game with more yards should be the team that ends up winning.

Auburn’s running back trio of Cameron Artis-Payne, Corey Grant and Tre Mason totaled 512 rushing yards in the first two

games.

In Auburn’s season opener Aug. 31 against Washington State, Auburn rushed for 295 yards and Grant shined by rushing for 146 yards with a 75-yard touchdown run.

Auburn’s running game looked even stronger Saturday, Sept. 7, against Arkansas State.

The team ran for 301 yards with Artis-Payne rushing for 102 yards and a touchdown and Mason added 99 total rushing yards with another touchdown on the year for him.

It’s hard to find a better running back unit than Auburn’s in the SEC right now, but Mississippi State has showcased a solid running game through their first two games.

In their opening 21–3 loss to No. 13 Oklahoma State, preseason All-SEC second team running back LaDarius Perkins rushed for 50 yards with his longest carry at 22 yards. But Perkins suffered a sprained ankle during the game and sat out against Alcorn State.

Although the Bulldogs were without their star running back Saturday, Sept. 7, they had no problems rushing through the Alcorn State defense on their way to a 51–7 victory.

Mississippi State rushed for 277 total rushing yards, and freshman running back Ashton Shumpert delivered with 98 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Perkins is

KATHERINE MCCAHEY / SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHER

Cameron Artis-Payne bursts through the defensive line against Arkansas State.

expected to play aginst Auburn, and he will need to bring his best running game in order to give the Bulldogs a win.

KICKOFF RETURNS Special teams will also play a major role in deciding the outcome of this game. Both teams’ kick returners have already had early success this season.

Jameon Lewis had a 65-yard kickoff return against Oklahoma State, and Brandon Holloway had a 95-yard kickoff return against Alcorn State.

Mason had 141 total return yards against Washington State, including a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Quan Bray had a 33-yard return against Arkansas State.

Look for at least one of these teams to have a big kickoff return in Saturday’s game.

AUBURN SECONDARY VS. MISSISSIPPI STATE PASS ATTACK Whether fifth-year senior starting quarterback Tyler Russell is cleared to play after his concussion against Oklahoma State, or sophomore quarterback Dak Prescott gets his second consecutive start, Mississippi State’s receivers will need to be successful against Auburn’s young defense and second-

ary, no matter who is receiving the snaps for the Bulldogs.

Although Mullen’s spread option offense struggled to score against Oklahoma State, their receivers had 17 total receptions with seven different receivers recording at least one catch. Junior wide receiver Jameon Lewis led the Bulldogs with five receptions for 55 yards.

Since the Bulldogs have a lot of receiving depth, this game will be a major test for Auburn’s secondary.

Auburn’s secondary showed promise in their season opener against one of the nation’s stronger passing offenses. Robenson Therezie had the biggest impact with two interceptions and safety Josh Holsey had one.

Auburn’s defense held Arkansas State’s high-powered offense to only nine points.

Auburn’s safeties need to continue to contain the receivers and not get burned on the deep ball. Expect to see the cornerbacks and safeties getting plenty of action against Mullen’s offense.

If Auburn’s defensive tackles continue to put pressure on the quarterback, and if the secondary is able to contain Mississippi State’s many receivers, Auburn should be able to get the victory.

CONTRIBUTED BY THE REFLECTOR

Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott breaks a tackle against Alcorn State.

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The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day Edition

Thursday, September 12, 2013

FRESHMAN FOCUS

Auburn’s ‘Rudy’ wants ‘to win right now’ Taylor Jones SPORTS WRITER

He’s only been here for a short amount of time, but freshman Johnathan “Rudy” Ford has already made a name for himself on The Plains.

Recruited by running backs coach Tim Horton and offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee out of New Hope, Ford came to Auburn as a four-star running back hungry to win.

The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Ford rushed 155 times for 1,526 yards and 23 touchdowns in his senior season for the New Hope Indians, earning Ford a No. 15 overall running back ranking from Rivals.com.

Ford received offers from numerous schools, including Georgia, Tennessee and Florida State before picking Auburn.

With a 40-yard dash time of 4.41 seconds, Scout.com said Ford’s strengths as a running back include cutback ability, elusiveness and vision.

As summer camp went on, Lashlee commended Ford and fellow true freshman running back Peyton Barber for their hard work.

“They’re working hard, and there’s no fear in them,” Lashlee said. “They might not always block the right man, but they’re going to go and hit them in the mouth hard—they’ve shown out.”

As the season opener approached, the Tigers suffered an unfortunate series of events in their secondary.

Veteran senior safety Demetruce McNeal was dismissed after a marijuana-related arrest, and sophomore cornerback Jonathan Jones broke a bone in his foot, which required surgery.

While Ford could have continued to work on gaining a role in the backfield, he committed a rare deed in today’s world of college sports.

He put his team before his own interests and volunteered to switch from running back to corner back.

“We have got to do what’s best for the team,” Lashlee said in August. “(Ford) came

to us and said, ‘Coach, I want to help the team win. I want to win right now.’ And right now, that’s what’s best for our football team.”

Though Ford is struggling with inexperience, his coaches said his work ethic and athleticism drive him to succeed.

Defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson believes while Ford may not be familiar with his new position’s fundamentals, he will have a bright future.

“I think he physically is really going to be a good player [at cornerback],” Johnson said. “He’s not ready yet, but physically he is the most impressive of the bunch.”

Ford recorded his first

ANNA GRAFTON / PHOTO EDITOR

Johnathan Ford goes through offensive drills during fall camp.

solo tackle against Arkansas State in an impressive showing by the Auburn defense.

Ford’s athleticism and selflessness have The Plains buzzing about his potential.

When asked about Ford’s abilities during an August interview, his running back coach’s response was simple.

“Johnathan Ford can make a play,” Horton said.

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT

The sky’s the limit for Clark and his punts Jeffrey Moore SPORTS REPORTER

Auburn punter Steven Clark has been a key member of Auburn’s special teams unit for the past two seasons.

During Auburn’s forgettable 3–9 campaign in 2012, Clark was one of the few players that performed at a high level on a consistent basis.

In 2011, he was named one of three finalists for the Ray Guy Award, given to the nation’s top punter, and a semifinalist in 2012.

Though his 2012 season average of 39.8 yards per punt was not jaw-dropping, Clark specializes in launching sky-high punts that are nearly impossible to return.

In fact, opponents managed to return only 5 of his 70 offerings last year and 15 of his 144 career punts going into the 2013 season.

Statistically, Clark was an even more effective weapon in 2011.

He downed a whopping 33 punts inside the opponent’s 20-yard line, which led the SEC and was third in the nation.

Nine of those punts pinned the opponent inside their own 10-yard line.

But even with gaudy stats like Clark’s, the punter still sees room for improvement in his already reputable game, most notably in the distance category.

“I honestly don’t even feel like I did the best that I could have last year or the year be-

KATHERINE MCCAHEY / SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHER

Steven Clark launches a long punt against Arkansas State.

fore necessarily,” Clark said.

“Even whenever I do go for hang time, I feel like I should at least get 45 yards.

“So what would happen is I would hit some good ones 45-50, and then I would hit a bad one.”

Though Clark was one of

the most effective punters in the nation, he spent time in 2012 fretting over his lessthan-spectacular distance average.

In an art requiring perfect technique and fundamentals to be successful such as punting, this method of

thinking can do more harm than good.

“I don’t really worry about average much anymore,” Clark said. “I had gotten caught up with that in the past and it’s something that really messes with your head trying to worry about all that stuff.

“You don’t do numbers.

All you can do is punt and you can prepare yourself as best you can. That’s all you really can control.”

Clark spent time at kicking guru Jamie Kohl’s National Elite Camp in Whitewater, Wis. this summer to improve his distance by tweaking his technique and trying new methods.

“It’s also really great to get around some really great special teams players in col-

lege and kind of look and see what other people are doing,” Clark said. “We’d mess around with different styles of punts and toy with things, and get some ideas and then you get to finish out the rest of the summer messing around, see if you want to implement some new things.”

Entering the 2013 season, Clark is hopeful the time and effort he put in during the summer will pay dividends on the field.

During fall camp, Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn said he had already noticed Clark’s hard work paying off.

“He can place the football,” Malzahn said. “He has really worked hard and gotten better at length, and believe it or not, height also.”

Thursday, September 12, 2013

11

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12

The Auburn Plainsman: Game Day Edition

Thursday, September 12, 2013

AUBURN IN THE No. 3: Miami 20, Auburn 18 (1984)

No. 3: Miami 20, Auburn 18 (1984) Here are the top four performances from former Tigers during the first weekend of NFL action.

This season-opening matchup

NICK FAIRLEY (Detroit Lions) between college football power- The defensive tackle led the way for the Lions’ defense in their 2013 season opener, recording houses was filled with bad blood.five tackles and 1.5 sacks in Detroit’s 34–24 win against NFC North rivalWhen Minnesota. the No. 1 Tigers and the - Fairley, who won the 2010 Lombardi Award, missed part of the 2012 season with anmet injury.

He No. 10 Hurricanes at Giants started all four of the Lions’ preseason games.

Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., it was a battle between two sides that

CAM NEWTON (Carolina Panthers) had rightful claim to the 1983 na- Newton went 16-of-23 for 175 passing yards and 38 rushing yards in Carolina’s 12–7 home loss tional title. Despite having identical to Seattle. records, “The U” jumped Auburn in - The 2010 Heisman Trophy winner had a 3-yard touchdown passthe to veteran wideafter receiver Steve final AP poll defeating No. Smith for the Panthers’ only scoring play of the game.

1 Nebraska in the Orange Bowl.

Unfortunately for Auburn, Miami

CARLOS ROGERS (San Francisco 49ers) quarterback Bernie Kosar had one - Rogers started at cornerback during the defending NFC champions’ victory over the and of the34–28 best games of his career, Green Bay Packers. the defense that limited future Heis- The 2004 winner of the Jim Thorpe Award was named the No. 69man player in the winner Boleague Jacksonaccording to less than to a survey of NFL players last season.

100 yards forced a late fumble to secure the narrow victory.

KING DUNLAP (San Diego Chargers) - Dunlap started at offensive tackle in the Chargers’ narrow 31–28 loss to the Houston Texans on Monday Night Football.

- After several years in Philadelphia, the former Auburn lineman is entering his first season in San Diego.

CONTRIBUTED BY THE DETROIT LIONS

Former Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley sacks Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder.