The Auburn Plainsman Ole Miss Game Day tab 10.03.13

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OCTOBER 3, 2013

AUBURN vs. OLE MISS

GAME DAY PAGE

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6 PAGE

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Know Your Enemy: Q&A with The Daily Mississippian

Auburn salutes the troops with Military Appreciation Day

Rodney Garner brings his passion back to The Plains


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Thursday, October 3, 2013

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TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE 3 Plainsman sports editor Will Gaines previews Saturday’s game PAGE 4 Know Your Enemy: Q&A with The Daily Mississippian’s David Collier

PAGE 5 Top Five Games vs. Ole Miss

PAGE 9 Senior Spotlight: Dee Ford Freshman Focus: Marcus Davis

PAGE 6 Military Appreciation Game

PAGE 10 Rodney Garner brings his inner fire back to The Plains

PAGE 8 Auburn in the NFL

PAGE 11 Plainsman Picks

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EDITOR’S PREVIEW

Tigers need to utilize 12th-man advantage vs. Ole Miss Will Gaines sports@ theplainsman.com

After a much-needed bye week for the Tigers, it’s back to football this week as Auburn takes on the Ole Miss Rebels in the third SEC game of the season. With the injuries the Tigers sustained so far this season, the bye week could not have come at a better time. Defensive playmakers Dee Ford, Chris Davis and Justin Garrett needed the off week to get back to 100 percent before the Tigers reached the meat of the conference schedule. Coming off the loss to LSU, the Tigers need to get back on track at home against the Rebels. Ole Miss is coming off a poor offensive performance against Alabama, a 25–0 shutout loss. But the Rebels are talented and will

provide a tough test for Auburn. Most of their talent is young, and it showed against the Crimson Tide last week. The Tigers demonstrated this season that they can be dangerous on the ground. Auburn’s rushing attack is led by junior Tre Mason, who has 338 yards rushing and four touchdowns this season. On the other side of the field, the Rebels have one of the better defensive lines in the conference. In the first half against Alabama, Ole Miss held the Tide to less than 50 yards on the ground. Even though the Crimson Tide went on to finish with 254 yards rushing, the defensive line’s performance at Bryant-Denny Stadium was still an impressive feat for the Rebels. However, if the Auburn run game is going to be successful, it’s going to take more than just solid offensive line play. Nick Marshall is going to need a game like he had against Mississippi State. Auburn can’t win

this game with overthrown and dropped passes. Marshall does not have to win this game by himself, but he will need to be a factor for Auburn to come away victorious. Defensively, this could be the biggest challenge Auburn has faced this season. Ole Miss has a balanced offense like LSU, but the Rebels have a Malzahn-like tempo that could give Auburn trouble. Not allowing big plays will be vital for Auburn on defense. Ole Miss running back Jeff Scott has great perimeter speed, and if they let him and other running backs, make explosive plays, then it could be a long day for Auburn. Ole Miss quarterback Bo Wallace does not have great speed, but he does have the ability to run the football. Running quarterbacks have given Auburn trouble this season, and they will need to account for Wallace. This is the hardest game so far this season to predict because of the unknowns. In my opinion, Auburn has more

talent than Ole Miss right now, even though the Rebels did add a lot of big-time recruits this offseason. However, Ole Miss has more of an identity than Auburn on both sides of the ball. I think this will be a high-scoring game. Based on what I saw from Auburn’s second half against LSU and Ole Miss’s second half against Alabama, Auburn will come in with more confidence than the

Rebels. The game being in JordanHare Stadium will be an advantage for the Tigers, who will outscore the Rebels 35–31 for the first big win of the Malzahn Era. It will be a hard-fought win for the Tigers, but this game could be a big step for this team moving forward. Ole Miss is one of those borderline games that could go either way, and the Tigers need to win to keep their goals in sight.

katherine mccahey / sports photographer

The student section celebrates a big play during the Mississippi State game.


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Thursday, October 3, 2013

KNOW YOUR ENEMY

The Daily Mississippian’s sports editor breaks down Ole Miss vs. Auburn David Collier thedmsports@ gmail.com

David Collier, sports editor for Ole Miss’s The Daily Mississippian, answers five questions regarding this week’s matchup against the Rebels. Ole Miss started off the season with big wins against Vanderbilt and Texas, but last weekend’s shutout loss at No. 1 Alabama was a bit of a surprise. What were your thoughts on the Rebels’ performance in Tuscaloosa? It was an ugly game for Ole Miss’ offense. The defense played tough for most of the contest, but the offense looked timid. Instead of playing with a nothing-to-lose attitude, they played tense, and it showed all night. The question mark is if it will be a blueprint to shutdown Hugh Freeze’s offensive attack, or if the Rebels will bounce back and put up

points in different ways like they were earlier this year. I think Ole Miss will continue to score a lot of points going forward, but they have to learn to play loose and confident against the elite teams in the SEC. If not, the struggles may continue. After a monster recruiting class and a 3–1 start to the season, what is the buzz like around this team in Oxford? The Alabama loss probably put a damper on things, but how far do fans think this team can go in 2013 and beyond? Fans are definitely excited about the future of Ole Miss football with Freeze running the show. If the Rebels capitalize on a easy backend of the schedule this season, they should improve on their win total from last season and get that needed momentum that Freeze and his staff want to carry into the recruiting season. Freeze has said many times that his squad does not have SEC depth quite yet, but if he continues the success on the recruiting front, it won’t be long before Ole Miss has

as much talent as anyone in the league. If that happens and Freeze continues to progress as a coach, the Rebels could find themselves among the SEC’s elite. Can it be done? Sure. I think it can be done anywhere. But so far, no one in the modern era has found the right recipe for success in Oxford. Maybe Freeze is the guy to figure it all out. How do Ole Miss fans view the Auburn program and this SEC West rivalry? I think all teams in the SEC West have somewhat of a rivalry with each other. But with the rivalry between Ole Miss and Auburn, it was turned up a notch when Tommy Tuberville took the Auburn job back in the late ‘90s. Does that anger for the Tigers still exist? Probably not with the younger generation, but for the fans that remember Tuberville’s pine box comments like it was yesterday, you can bet they have a special hate for the Auburn blue and orange.

CONTRIBUTED by THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

Ole Miss running back Jeff Scott takes a carry up the middle against Alabama last weekend.

Who are some Ole Miss players Auburn fans need to keep their eye on in this SEC battle? Offensively, it starts with junior quarterback Bo Wallace. Last season, he injured his shoulder, but now, Wallace is completely healthy and has taken serious strides in protecting the football. He has mastered the read option and is more of a threat running the ball than you would think. Also on the offensive side of the ball, senior running back Jeff Scott and freshman tight end Evan Engram can be difference makers. Scott is a home run threat if he can get to the edge, and he’s also a dynamite punt returner. Engram doesn’t get a lot of attention because of wideouts Donte Moncrief and Laquon Treadwell, but Engram is a fast tight end that has already shown he can be a asset if Wallace finds him in the right matchup. Defensively, look out for the Nkemdiche brothers. Sophomore linebacker Denzel Nkemdiche returned to action last weekend after tearing his meniscus in the season opener. He’s the emotional leader

for Ole Miss and makes big plays for the Rebel defense. His younger brother Robert, a freshman defensive end, is a guy that Ole Miss will move inside if they feel he can be more of a disruption. He’s big and fast and stronger than you’d expect a freshman to be. Also, watch out for junior defensive end C.J. Johnson and sophomore cornerback Mike Hilton. Johnson is a big playmaker for Ole Miss, but has been hampered by injuries this season. Hilton originally started out as the starting huskie, a hybrid linebacker/safety position, but with the emergence of freshman Tony Conner at huskie, the coaches moved Hilton to corner. Since the move, Hilton has continued to be a breath of fresh air in a thin Ole Miss secondary. Alright, prediction time. Who wins, and what do you think the final score will be? I think this will be a fun chess match between two close friends, but I think Ole Miss gets the win in this one 34–24.

CONTRIBUTED by THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN

Ole Miss cornerback Mike Hilton tackles a Texas receiver in a game earlier this season.


Thursday, October 3, 2013

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TOP FIVE GAMES VS. OLE MISS COMPILED BY JUSTIN FERGUSON / ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

No. 1 Auburn – 16 Ole Miss – 12 Sept. 2, 1993

No. 2 Auburn – 35 Ole Miss – 28 Jan. 1, 1971

No. 3 Auburn – 31 Ole Miss – 24 Nov. 2, 2002

No. 4 Auburn – 35 Ole Miss – 27 Sept. 9, 2000

No. 5 Auburn – 14 Ole Miss – 7 Oct. 29, 1932

When new head coach Terry Bowden and his 1993 Auburn Tigers opened their season with a dramatic SEC victory at JordanHare Stadium, no one could have expected what would follow. Auburn needed a late fourthquarter defensive stand to repel the Rebels at home. After the victory, the Tigers rattled off 10 straight wins to complete a perfect season as “The Best Team on Radio.” Although the Rebels finished with the nation’s No. 1 defense in 1993, a losing record and allegations of improper recruiting by head coach Billy Brewer paved the way for Tommy Tuberville’s arrival in Oxford.

The 1971 Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, featured two of the decade’s top quarterbacks in the SEC. One year before winning the Heisman Trophy, junior Pat Sullivan led Auburn to a 21–0 lead on legendary Ole Miss quarterback Archie Manning and the Rebels. Although the Auburn offense stalled several times in the red zone, Sullivan still had a career day on the Ole Miss defense. Sullivan threw for 351 yards in the win, including 143 to his favorite target, Terry Beasley. The Gator Bowl victory improved Ralph “Shug” Jordan’s team to 9–2 on the season and a No. 5 finish in the national UPI poll.

This matchup comes in at No. 3 on this countdown for the number of interceptions the Tigers forced from future two-time Super Bowlwinning quarterback Eli Manning. Archie’s famous son tried to ignite a late comeback on the Tigers, but the Rebels’ 21 secondhalf points were not enough to take down Tommy Tuberville’s team. The narrow win at VaughtHemingway Stadium in Oxford was a huge boost for the Tigers as they headed back to The Loveliest Village on The Plains. Auburn defeated Nick Saban’s No. 10 -ranked LSU Tigers the following week by 24 points.

Ole Miss might have “turned Deuce loose” in 2000, but Auburn finished the trip to Oxford with an advantage in the most important statistic: points. Future NFL running back Deuce McAllister racked up 257 all-purpose yards on Tommy Tuberville’s Auburn defense, but the Tigers still had the offensive firepower to outlast head coach David Cutcliffe’s No. 19 Rebels. This first SEC win kickstarted a successful conference campaign for Auburn. By the end of the season, Tuberville and the Tigers were celebrating their second SEC West title in four years.

Head coach Chet Wynne’s 1932 Auburn Tigers were known for their blowout wins en route to their Southern Conference championship, but they faced their stiffest defensive test of the season against the Ole Miss Rebels. Auburn, who outscored opponents 275–54 in this championship season, could only score two touchdowns on the Rebels during this October clash in “neutral” Montgomery. The Tigers made their way north to Birmingham weeks later, where head coach Billy Laval and South Carolina spoiled their perfect season with a 20–20 tie.

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Thursday, October 3, 2013

Auburn salutes the troops in second annual Military Appreciation Day festivities COMPILED BY GRAHAM BROOKS / SPORTS WRITER For the second straight season, Auburn football will honor the men and women who serve and have served our country during the Military Appreciation Day game against Ole Miss.

Tiger Walk, which begins at 3:40 p.m., will be led by members of the Auburn ROTC.

The coin toss in Saturday’s game will feature Auburn’s team captains as well as four wounded warriors, and there will be multiple in-game recognitions honoring Auburn University veterans that will occur throughout the night.

The Black Diamond jet team will conduct a pregame flyover featuring Aero L-39 Albatross jets.

The Auburn University Marching Band will present a special halftime tribute that includes Armed Forces Salute and The Battle Hymn of the Republic. The halftime show will incorporate veterans representing each branch of the armed forces.

The Auburn Football coaching staff will be wearing a special Military Appreciation patch on the sleeve of their gameday shirts, and the team will wear the custommade Auburn military appreciation shirt during Tiger Walk.

Auburn has partnered with the Dixie Division Military Vehicle Club to bring in historic military display vehicles which will be presented at multiple locations on campus, including the Nichols Center, Dawson Building Lawn and the east side of Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Auburn and Under Armour have partnered to give the Boot Campaign 15 percent of the proceeds from the sales of the military appreciation T-shirt. The shirt will be available at the Auburn Team Shop and other local retailers.

In addition to the championship flags and banners inside Jordan-Hare Stadium, military branch and POW flags will also be flying Saturday night.

Fans can join in the festivities by purchasing tickets online to donate to active military members and veterans through the Gameday For Heroes organization at AuburnTigers.com.

file

TOP: Auburn players wore a special edition decal on their helmets during last year’s Military Appreciation Day. The team will wear a similar decal this Saturday against Ole Miss. LEFT: Members of Auburn’s ROTC carry flags of individual states at last year’s Military Appreciation Day against Texas A&M.


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Auburn IN THE No. 3:

No. 3:

Miami 20, Auburn 18

Miami 20, Auburn 18

With the NFL season now in full swing, we take a look at how 20 former Tigers are doing so far in 2013. This season-opening matchup

Name (No.) Nick Fairley (98) Will Herring (54) Cam Newton (1) Karlos Dansby (55) Ben Grubbs (66) Josh Harris (47) Daren Bates (51) Ben Tate (44) Ronnie Brown (23) Josh Bynes (56) Jason Campbell (17) King Dunlap (77) Quentin Groves (54) Corey Lemonier (96) Sen’Derrick Marks (99) Ben Obamanu (15) Jerraud Powers (25) Jay Ratliff (90) Carlos Rogers (22) Pat Sims (90)

Team Detroit Lions New Orleans Saints Carolina Panthers Arizona Cardinals New Orleans Saints Atlanta Falcons St. Louis Rams Houston Texans San Diego Chargers Baltimore Ravens Cleveland Browns San Diego Chargers Cleveland Browns San Francisco 49ers Jacksonville Jaguars New York Jets Arizona Cardinals Dallas Cowboys San Francisco 49ers Oakland Raiders

Pos. DT OLB QB MLB G LS LB RB RB ILB QB T OLB LB DT WR CB NT CB DT

between college football powerNFL Season Stats houses was filled with bad blood. Defensive When thetouchdown No. 1 Tigersvs. andCHI the Interception in MNF MIA No. 10 Hurricanes met vs. at Giants 655 yards and Rutherford, seven TDs N.J., it Stadium in East 12 tackles vs. NO two sides that was a battle between Started all four had rightful claimgames to the 1983 naStarted allDespite four games tional title. having identical Three tackles four games records, “The U”in jumped Auburn in 228final rush in four games the APyards poll after defeating No. yards and one rushing 155 Nebraska in the Orange Bowl.TD 14Unfortunately tackles in four games Miami for Auburn, Played one Bernie seriesKosar vs. CLE quarterback had one Inactive of the bestWeek games4ofvs. hisDAL career, and Recorded onelimited sack vs. MIA the defense that future HeisThree tackles vs. STLto less than man winner Bo Jackson Seven tackles four games 100 yards forced in a late fumble to seOnethe catch vs. victory. TEN cure narrow

13 tackles in four games Placed on IR in all four games One tackle in four games 12 tackles in four games

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SENIOR SPOTLIGHT

Ford focuses on being an all-around leader Jeffrey Moore Sports Reporter

FILE

Dee Ford sacks Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray in the 2012 edition of The Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry.

Entering the 2013 season, senior defensive end Dee Ford was one of the few proven veterans expected to make an early impact in defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson’s new 4-2-5 defense. Ford recorded six sacks while battling the injury bug in 2012 and was named to the 2013 preseason All-SEC second team. In addition to his proven results on the field, Ford is also recognized as one of Auburn’s more vocal, colorful characters off the field. “As much winning as we are destined for — if you put in the work during the week, there’s no telling how much winning there can be,” Ford said at SEC Media Days.

But shortly after the start of fall camp and three weeks before Ford’s senior campaign was set to begin, disaster struck. Ford suffered a sprained knee ligament during a scrimmage Aug. 10. Though Ford was obviously disappointed with sustaining another injury, he said he responded to the decision “as a leader should.” “It was frustrating, but I just had to do what was in my best interests and the best interests of the team,” Ford said. “I couldn’t shut down. The team still needed me to be a vocal leader.” So he didn’t. Ford patiently cheered his teammates on, and was finally cleared to return to action in Auburn’s SEC opener against Missis-

sippi State. Ford repeatedly wreaked havoc in the Bulldogs’ backfield on his way to six tackles and two quarterback hurries. “With him coming back, you could notice that he was obviously a little better on the edge than some of these guys,” said defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson. “Dee, obviously he gives us the experience and that edge capability.” Head coach Gus Malzahn also applauded the immediate impact of Ford and Justin Garrett in their first action of the season. “It’s the fact they were on the field, and their leadership,” Malzahn said. “Their playmaking ability really helps.” The following week in Ba-

ton Rouge, Ford’s impact wasn’t quite as evident — he notched only one tackle in the two-touchdown loss to LSU. Yet, even when he fails to fill the stat sheet with sacks, tackles for loss and quarterback hurries, Ford is the one his teammates look to for guidance and encouragement. Coming off of a muchneeded bye week, Auburn will welcome Ole Miss to Jordan-Hare Stadium in a pivotal SEC west matchup Saturday, Oct. 5. Against the Rebels, Ford’s leadership will be called upon once again. If history is any indicator of how Ford will answer that call, he will respond “as a leader should.”

FRESHMAN FOCUS

Davis taking multiple changes in perfect stride Kyle Van Fechtmann Sports Writer

At 5-foot-9, 175 pounds, Marcus Davis knew he would have to make a change. Even though he started under center all four years at American Heritage High School in Boca-Delray, Fla., Davis was simply too small to be a quarterback in Division I college football. While most schools that recruited Davis saw him as a college cornerback, Auburn coaches thought he could still fit into an offensive position. Wide receivers coach Dameyune Craig, a former dual-threat quarterback during his playing days, pinned Davis as a great potential slot receiver.

Once Davis found out a big-time college program had interest in him at an offensive position, he knew he wanted to check Auburn out. “It was near the end of the recruiting process,” Davis said. “(Auburn) flew me up here on my official visit, and as soon as I got here, I felt the family atmosphere. “I knew if I kept working things would come. I just stayed patient, and Auburn came along.” Even though he first started practicing at the position in May, Davis has had an early impact on Auburn’s season at wide receiver. Although he did not play in the season opener against Washington State, Davis capitalized on his playing

time as soon as he stepped onto the field. His first collegiate reception was an 18-yard touchdown in the Arkansas State game. Davis got a few more chances against the Red Wolves and went on to have another reception in that game. “They just wanted me fresh, to get a feel of the college level,” Davis said after the win. “I feel like my playing time will continue to increase.” Davis was right. His playing time has increased, and he made an even bigger impact in the Mississippi State game. He led all receivers with six catches on the game, but what mattered most was the timing of his receptions.

Davis caught four consecutive passes for 38 yards on the last drive to help Auburn move up the field before Nick Marshall’s game winning touchdown pass to tight end C.J. Uzomah. “I was really proud of him,” said offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee. “For a freshman, he came in, he made a lot of big catches, and he was smart. He caught it and got out of bounds, or he caught it and got the first down. “He responded the same way the whole offense did. ‘Hey, this is just another drive. The moment’s not too big for us.’” Davis was Marshall’s goto target in the game winning drive, and the fourth quarter pressure did not get to the true freshman.

daniel oramas / multimedia EDITOR

Marcus Davis tries to break a tackle against Mississippi State.

“To be honest, I wasn’t even looking at it that way,” Davis said. “I was just out there playing football.” Although Davis only had two receptions for 21 yards in the LSU game, he is continuing to make an impact

as a freshman receiver. “Marcus is a guy that, he’s a freshman, but he’s not playing like a freshman,” head coach Gus Malzahn. “He’s really stepped up and you’ll see him on the field more.”


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PLAINSMAN PICKS

Week 5 matchups to watch COMPILED BY ERIC WALLACE / SPORTS WRITER

No. 25 Maryland at No. 8 Florida State - Florida State freshman quarterback and Hueytown, Ala. native Jameis Winston has thrown for 12 touchdowns with a 73.6 completion percentage in his first four career games. - Persevering through a 6–18 start to his tenure, Maryland head coach Randy Edsall has the upstart Terrapins undefeated and ranked heading into a monster ACC showdown.

No. 4 Ohio State at No. 18 Northwestern - Coming off last season’s 10–3 finish and their first bowl win since 1949, Pat Fitzgerald has proven that Northwestern’s lofty academic standards are not a total roadblock to success on the football field. - Urban Meyer has Ohio State eyeing a second straight undefeated season after ripping through their first few games on the schedule. Braxton Miller’s outstanding performance against Wisconsin re-established him as the top quarterback.

No. 15 Washington at No. 5 Stanford - A matchup with big implications in the Pac-12 North division, this week begins a three-game gauntlet for Washington. The Huskies will face powerful Stanford, speedy Oregon and a surprising Arizona State team that just thrashed USC head coach Lane Kiffin into unemployment.

LARGE PIZZA

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Ole Miss vs. Auburn

Maryland vs. Washington vs. Florida State Stanford

Ohio State vs. Northwestern

Missouri vs. Vanderbilt

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COACHES’ CORNER

Garner brings his passion back to The Plains Taylor Jones Sports writer

After being away from The Loveliest Village on The Plains since 1995, Rodney Garner has finally returned home as an assistant coach. In Garner’s college days, he played as an offensive lineman for Auburn. Garner captained Auburn’s 1988 SEC Championship team, earned an All-SEC offensive line award and received honorable mention as an All-American. After a short time playing for the Pittsburgh Gladiators, an arena football team, Garner returned to Auburn. This time, Garner was on the sidelines as Auburn’s recruiting coordinator, tight ends coach and assistant strength and conditioning coach. In 1996, Garner accepted a job at

the University of Tennessee as the Volunteers’ tight ends and offensive tackles coach. In his two years with Tennessee, the Vols had a record of 21-4 and won the SEC Championship in 1997. Garner also coached for 15 years at the University of Georgia. During his tenure in Athens, Garner made a name for himself as being a feisty and fiercely competitive coach. At Georgia, Garner served as the Bulldogs’ defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator. In 2005, head coach Mark Richt promoted Garner to assistant head coach. “(Garner) was the first assistant I hired when I came to Georgia, and it turned out to be a great decision,” Richt said in a press release after Garner left for Auburn. “He’s a tremendous ball coach, recruiter, and mentor and a great example of what a good father and husband should

ANNA GRAFTON / PHOTO EDITOR Rodney Garner motivates a defensive player during fall camp.

be.” In Garner’s time at Georgia, the Bulldogs amassed 117 wins as well as SEC Championships in 2002 and

2005. The Bulldogs also finished with five SEC Eastern Division titles, seven bowl victories and six Top 10 finishes. While at Georgia, five players Garner coached were drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft, including Richard Seymour and David Pollack. After reportedly turning down several offers from other schools, Garner accepted an offer from Auburn to serve as the Tigers’ assistant head coach, recruiting coordinator and defensive line coach under Gus Malzahn. “Auburn has always been a very special place for me and my wife, Kimberly, who is also an Auburn graduate,” Garner said after he was hired at Auburn. “I owe a lot to Auburn and the men who helped mold me to who I am today, both professionally and personally.

Friday, October 4

“I have a lot of love for Auburn and I felt this was a great chance to help give back to a place that has given me so much.” Garner returns to Auburn after one of the most disappointing seasons in his alma mater’s history, and he has immediately helped turn things around for the Tigers. “(Garner) is the coach we needed,” said junior defensive tackle Angelo Blackson. “He has great energy every day, never lets up.” He is well-known for his fiery and competitive temperament, something his players love to see. “That’s how you would want it,” said junior defensive tackle Gabe Wright. “You want to go into the meeting room, and we pretty much know what we messed up on in practice, and we just can’t wait to hear it from Coach G, he never misses anything.”

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Saturday, October

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Art Changes Lives! 2003-2013

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The Auburn Plainsman Game Day Edition

Thursday, October 3, 2013


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