I cannot remember in my over 40 years of watching Auburn football a game like this one coming up today. That's because there's never been a situation like we face today. Auburn is 10 and 0. A win puts in the SEC championship game. The controversy swirling around Cam Newton and father over the last 10 days is unique.
A report overnight now comes that Cecil Newton admits he did indeed talk to MSU about money for his son signing at State, but alledgedly no money changed hands, the son & wife knew nothing about it, and Auburn is not implicated. Who knows.
The intriguing thing is that nobody knows for sure if Cam Newton will play today. We've been led to believe by Auburn that he will play. But until the game actually starts, who knows for sure.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
The Cam Situation
I've learned to let this story play out. There is no use in following every news story or listening to what every person has to say. There is nothing to implicate Auburn so far. Auburn seems secure in saying that Newton is eligible to play. Our compliance person is supposed to be the best. You can hear so many varied opinions as to where this is headed. It's foolish to speculate.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Anticipation
We haven't had such anticipation since 2004. The season is right in front of the Auburn Tigers. Win out and we win it all. Georgia will be tough no doubt. No need for style points; just win!
Saturday, November 6, 2010
The Chattanooga Game
Historically the Auburn homecoming game is a sleeper. We play a team we are supposed to beat and we beat them though typically looking sloppy and the game is not memorable. But after the Cam Newton thing started Thursday, this one will be different. Everyone will looking to see the attitude of this team and of our QB. We will listen on the radio as in the old days as this will be the only Auburn game that will not be on free TV
It's a cold day & windy at Jordan-Hare. Kickoff is at noon. As our announcers say, it's good to play a game after the nonsense of the last two days.
UTC wins the toss and for some reason decides to defer. The Tigers start on their 39and it only takes 2 passing plays and 30 seconds to score. The TD comes with Newton passing to Adams. Auburn is up quickly 7 to 0.
UTC comes out quick passing as we expected. The Tigers yield a couple of first downs before the Mocs punt from their 46. The punt comes off of Carr's chest but he falls on the ball at the Tiger 26.
(As we listen to the game unfortunately we have to watch Florida roll over Vanderbilt)
The Tigers move quickly again throwing on almost every down. Newton hits Blake in the end zone for the 20-yd. TD pass. With 9:33 to go Auburn leads 14 to 0. Newton makes a great throw, throwing to a spot before Blake came open.
UTC goes 3 and out and punts from their 33.
Carr catches this punt and after a 10-yd. return AU is at the 37.
On a 3rd and 10 Newton scrambles for a first down--his first carry of the game. On a third and 4 Newton runs the QB draw to the Moc 38. On another 3rd down Newton runs to the 20. New play there's a pass to Burns to the 1 yard line. Newton walks into the end zone on the next play. With 4;51 in the first it's Auburn 21 UTC 0.
UTC goes 3 and out again and Auburn starts around midfield. The TD pass goes 39 yards to Darvin Adams into the wind. Great throw! Auburn 27 UTC 0 still in the first quarter as Byrum misses his first point after of the year.
The first quarter ends with the Tigers up 27 to 0.
Early in the second, Cam Newton hits Terrell Zachary 3 yards beyond the line of scrimmage and Tzac takes it 80 yards for the touchdown. Auburn 34 UTC 0. Has it ever been easier so far?
Newton has already passed for 76 yards.
Then Auburn gives up a TD on the kickoff return. After such good kickoff coverage this year, Auburn has a breakdown here. Auburn 34 UTC 7. Our coverage got out of its lanes Stan White says. Officially it's a 98 yard kickoff return.
Auburn starts on the UTC 49. On the first play McCalebb takes it the distance with blazing speeds like he's shot out of a cannon. Auburn 41 UTC 7.
There is still over 13 minutes to go in the half. Auburn is averaging 4 plays per drive per touchdown.
UTC punts from midfield. Adams returns 11 yards to the AU 22. Mike Dyer runs the wrap around draw to the UTC 47. Newton is sacked and AU goes to 3rd and long after a penalty that should have called against Carr is not called. Newton runs to the UTC 43. Auburn will for it on 4th and about 5. The Tigers get the first down on a proper interference call against Adams. First down at the 33. Newton is dropped for a loss. The Mocs are getting pressure on our QB all of a sudden. Another 9 yard loss. Dyer runs to the 36 but quickly it's 3rd and 13. Newton is sacked again! This is highly unusual. This drive will end with Auburn's first punt. How are they getting pressure all of a sudden?
Stephen Clark makes a terrible 19 yard punt with the wind at his back. Our punting all year has been awful. With a little over 6 minutes left AU continues to lead 41 to 7. We sure got sloppy on that last possession.
With 1:26 to go in the half, the Mocs face 4th and 6 from the Auburn 23. The Tigers have substituting liberally already. The Mocs get TD pass into the end zone to their tight end over Jake Holland. Good throw and catch. Auburn 41 UTC 14 with 1:19to go in the half. Quentin Riggins says it's a good learning experience for Holland in that he has to get deep quicker covering his man.
Auburn starts from the 32. There's a holding penalty on Auburn against Ryan Pugh. Our offense continues to be sloppy and complacent here at the end of the half. A pass to Zachary for 17 yards. A complete pass to Burns and a first down at the 46. Auburn goes to the UTC 37 with 18 seconds to go. Then Mike Dyer takes it to the house! Dyer explodes for the touchdown. Auburn 48 UTC 14. Auburn has 484 yards of total offense in just one half. That's your halftime score.
Auburn 48 UTC 14 at the half.
The Tigers roll in the second half winning 62 to 24. The only disappointing thing is that UTC takes the second half kickoff and marches for a touchdown. No starters play in the second half. Mario Fanin gets two rushing touchdowns. I think the Tigers have something like 625 yards of total offense.
This game goes as expected with Auburn rolling up big yardage and points and giving up some points. Seven of those points come on a kickoff return.
Now comes Amen Corner. It starts next week at 2:30 against Georgia for AU's 11th consecutive game.
AUBURN 62 UTC 24
It's a cold day & windy at Jordan-Hare. Kickoff is at noon. As our announcers say, it's good to play a game after the nonsense of the last two days.
UTC wins the toss and for some reason decides to defer. The Tigers start on their 39and it only takes 2 passing plays and 30 seconds to score. The TD comes with Newton passing to Adams. Auburn is up quickly 7 to 0.
UTC comes out quick passing as we expected. The Tigers yield a couple of first downs before the Mocs punt from their 46. The punt comes off of Carr's chest but he falls on the ball at the Tiger 26.
(As we listen to the game unfortunately we have to watch Florida roll over Vanderbilt)
The Tigers move quickly again throwing on almost every down. Newton hits Blake in the end zone for the 20-yd. TD pass. With 9:33 to go Auburn leads 14 to 0. Newton makes a great throw, throwing to a spot before Blake came open.
UTC goes 3 and out and punts from their 33.
Carr catches this punt and after a 10-yd. return AU is at the 37.
On a 3rd and 10 Newton scrambles for a first down--his first carry of the game. On a third and 4 Newton runs the QB draw to the Moc 38. On another 3rd down Newton runs to the 20. New play there's a pass to Burns to the 1 yard line. Newton walks into the end zone on the next play. With 4;51 in the first it's Auburn 21 UTC 0.
UTC goes 3 and out again and Auburn starts around midfield. The TD pass goes 39 yards to Darvin Adams into the wind. Great throw! Auburn 27 UTC 0 still in the first quarter as Byrum misses his first point after of the year.
The first quarter ends with the Tigers up 27 to 0.
Early in the second, Cam Newton hits Terrell Zachary 3 yards beyond the line of scrimmage and Tzac takes it 80 yards for the touchdown. Auburn 34 UTC 0. Has it ever been easier so far?
Newton has already passed for 76 yards.
Then Auburn gives up a TD on the kickoff return. After such good kickoff coverage this year, Auburn has a breakdown here. Auburn 34 UTC 7. Our coverage got out of its lanes Stan White says. Officially it's a 98 yard kickoff return.
Auburn starts on the UTC 49. On the first play McCalebb takes it the distance with blazing speeds like he's shot out of a cannon. Auburn 41 UTC 7.
There is still over 13 minutes to go in the half. Auburn is averaging 4 plays per drive per touchdown.
UTC punts from midfield. Adams returns 11 yards to the AU 22. Mike Dyer runs the wrap around draw to the UTC 47. Newton is sacked and AU goes to 3rd and long after a penalty that should have called against Carr is not called. Newton runs to the UTC 43. Auburn will for it on 4th and about 5. The Tigers get the first down on a proper interference call against Adams. First down at the 33. Newton is dropped for a loss. The Mocs are getting pressure on our QB all of a sudden. Another 9 yard loss. Dyer runs to the 36 but quickly it's 3rd and 13. Newton is sacked again! This is highly unusual. This drive will end with Auburn's first punt. How are they getting pressure all of a sudden?
Stephen Clark makes a terrible 19 yard punt with the wind at his back. Our punting all year has been awful. With a little over 6 minutes left AU continues to lead 41 to 7. We sure got sloppy on that last possession.
With 1:26 to go in the half, the Mocs face 4th and 6 from the Auburn 23. The Tigers have substituting liberally already. The Mocs get TD pass into the end zone to their tight end over Jake Holland. Good throw and catch. Auburn 41 UTC 14 with 1:19to go in the half. Quentin Riggins says it's a good learning experience for Holland in that he has to get deep quicker covering his man.
Auburn starts from the 32. There's a holding penalty on Auburn against Ryan Pugh. Our offense continues to be sloppy and complacent here at the end of the half. A pass to Zachary for 17 yards. A complete pass to Burns and a first down at the 46. Auburn goes to the UTC 37 with 18 seconds to go. Then Mike Dyer takes it to the house! Dyer explodes for the touchdown. Auburn 48 UTC 14. Auburn has 484 yards of total offense in just one half. That's your halftime score.
Auburn 48 UTC 14 at the half.
The Tigers roll in the second half winning 62 to 24. The only disappointing thing is that UTC takes the second half kickoff and marches for a touchdown. No starters play in the second half. Mario Fanin gets two rushing touchdowns. I think the Tigers have something like 625 yards of total offense.
This game goes as expected with Auburn rolling up big yardage and points and giving up some points. Seven of those points come on a kickoff return.
Now comes Amen Corner. It starts next week at 2:30 against Georgia for AU's 11th consecutive game.
AUBURN 62 UTC 24
Friday, November 5, 2010
Newton a Victim
Newton A "Victim," Sources Say
Cameron Newton By Mark Murphy
Inside the Auburn Tigers
Posted Nov 5, 2010
Sources tell Inside the Auburn Tigers that Auburn University has no evidence of any wrongdoing by Cam Newton or anybody associated with Auburn.
Auburn, Ala.--Sources very close to the Auburn University Athletic Department have told Inside the Auburn Tigers that Auburn has “no evidence whatsoever” of any wrongdoing by any member of the athletic department or by Cameron Newton in the wake of media reports on Thursday that an investigation is being conducted into Newton’s recruitment by Mississippi State.
According to reports, agent Kenny Rogers, a former football player at Mississippi State, is being investigated for trying to solicit money from Mississippi State in exchange for having Newton sign with the Bulldogs out of Blinn Junior College in Texas. Cecil Newton, the quarterback’s father, denied that was the case or that there were any improprieties in the recruiting of his son who committed to Auburn last New Year’s Eve, choosing the Tigers over Mississippi State and Oklahoma.
“There is no evidence whatsoever of any contact between Mr. Rogers and anyone on the staff at Auburn University or anyone associated with Auburn University,” the source said, noting that Auburn looked into the matter over the summer before the start of the season and found no issues with Newton.
“There have also been no NCAA allegations made against Auburn University or anybody on the Auburn staff regarding the recruitment of Cam Newton,” the source said.
“This is a really sad and disgusting situation,” the source added. “Cameron Newton and his family have become the victim of a rogue agent with a questionable past and of other people who are out to hurt Cam Newton and his family.”
Auburn officials have had little to say about the matter for the record other than Coach Gene Chizik’s comment that Newton remains eligible to play football at Auburn. On Friday, Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs said that if there was any gray area concerning any athlete's eligibility or compliance with NCAA rules, including Newton, that athlete would not be allowed to compete for Auburn. Jacobs then noted that Newton will continue to play for the Tigers.
“Concentrate on that comment about Cam Newton being eligible to play at Auburn,” the source said regarding Chizik's public statement. “That comment is short, but it says a lot. Auburn’s NCAA compliance director (Rich McGlynn) has a reputation for being extremely competent and tough in his position. He believes strongly in following NCAA rules to the letter. If there was any doubt whatsoever about Cam Newton’s status you can be assured that he would have not been on the football field playing for the Tigers this year.”
Commenting on why Auburn is not publicly defending the quarterback and speaking out on the matter, the source said, “In a situation like this the NCAA rules do not allow the university to comment. It is unfortunate that is the case now because members of the Auburn staff believe that Cam did nothing wrong and he is a terrific young man
Cameron Newton By Mark Murphy
Inside the Auburn Tigers
Posted Nov 5, 2010
Sources tell Inside the Auburn Tigers that Auburn University has no evidence of any wrongdoing by Cam Newton or anybody associated with Auburn.
Auburn, Ala.--Sources very close to the Auburn University Athletic Department have told Inside the Auburn Tigers that Auburn has “no evidence whatsoever” of any wrongdoing by any member of the athletic department or by Cameron Newton in the wake of media reports on Thursday that an investigation is being conducted into Newton’s recruitment by Mississippi State.
According to reports, agent Kenny Rogers, a former football player at Mississippi State, is being investigated for trying to solicit money from Mississippi State in exchange for having Newton sign with the Bulldogs out of Blinn Junior College in Texas. Cecil Newton, the quarterback’s father, denied that was the case or that there were any improprieties in the recruiting of his son who committed to Auburn last New Year’s Eve, choosing the Tigers over Mississippi State and Oklahoma.
“There is no evidence whatsoever of any contact between Mr. Rogers and anyone on the staff at Auburn University or anyone associated with Auburn University,” the source said, noting that Auburn looked into the matter over the summer before the start of the season and found no issues with Newton.
“There have also been no NCAA allegations made against Auburn University or anybody on the Auburn staff regarding the recruitment of Cam Newton,” the source said.
“This is a really sad and disgusting situation,” the source added. “Cameron Newton and his family have become the victim of a rogue agent with a questionable past and of other people who are out to hurt Cam Newton and his family.”
Auburn officials have had little to say about the matter for the record other than Coach Gene Chizik’s comment that Newton remains eligible to play football at Auburn. On Friday, Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs said that if there was any gray area concerning any athlete's eligibility or compliance with NCAA rules, including Newton, that athlete would not be allowed to compete for Auburn. Jacobs then noted that Newton will continue to play for the Tigers.
“Concentrate on that comment about Cam Newton being eligible to play at Auburn,” the source said regarding Chizik's public statement. “That comment is short, but it says a lot. Auburn’s NCAA compliance director (Rich McGlynn) has a reputation for being extremely competent and tough in his position. He believes strongly in following NCAA rules to the letter. If there was any doubt whatsoever about Cam Newton’s status you can be assured that he would have not been on the football field playing for the Tigers this year.”
Commenting on why Auburn is not publicly defending the quarterback and speaking out on the matter, the source said, “In a situation like this the NCAA rules do not allow the university to comment. It is unfortunate that is the case now because members of the Auburn staff believe that Cam did nothing wrong and he is a terrific young man
The Cam Newton Story
Phillip Marshall's story "Long on Inuendo" is great. Assuming there is nothing to this story except the timing, it's a set-up by somebody. Alabama's Red Elephant Club, Urban Meyer, who knows, but it's an awful travesty perpetrated a fine young man and his family. All it takes is a story like this to tarnish Cam Newton and Auburn. It's quite amazing.
Monday, November 1, 2010
So Far this Season
So far in this magical football season the Tigers are undefeated now at 9 & 0. We had the distinct pleasure of seeing the Ole Miss demolition. It seemed that the Tigers could score almost at will. We fumbled once and punted only once. Otherwise, we scored on every possession.
The defense is what it is. We've given up a lot of points, which certain national pundits never cease to remind us of, but the defense has its moments. It's just that we still give up too many big plays like that long Ole Miss had on their second play from scrimmage. I guess you can say our defense is inconsistent. On the other hand, our kickoff coverage and return game is magnificient as witnessed by Demond Washington's dash for the endzone Saturday night. We have yet to get consistent punting, and Quindarius Carr can't seem to ever get a punt return although at least he hasn't fumbled lately.
We drop to 2nd in the BCS standings. I don't think that matters because it won't matter unless we keep winning.
On we go to a win against Chattanooga and then Amen Corner with Georgia coming into Jordan-Hare. It will be interesting to say the least to see how this season ends up.
Football ScheduleRecord: 9-0 (6-0)
Date Opponent Result
Sept. 4 Arkansas State W 52-26
Sept. 9 at Mississippi State W 17-14
Sept. 18 Clemson W 27-24 OT
Sept. 25 South Carolina W 35-27
Oct. 2 Louisiana-Monroe W 52-3
Oct. 9 at Kentucky W 37-34
Oct. 16 Arkansas W 65-43
Oct. 23 LSU W 24-17
Oct. 30 at Ole Miss W 51-31
Nov. 6 Chattanooga TBA
Nov. 13 Georgia TBA
Nov. 26 at Alabama 2:30 p.m.
The defense is what it is. We've given up a lot of points, which certain national pundits never cease to remind us of, but the defense has its moments. It's just that we still give up too many big plays like that long Ole Miss had on their second play from scrimmage. I guess you can say our defense is inconsistent. On the other hand, our kickoff coverage and return game is magnificient as witnessed by Demond Washington's dash for the endzone Saturday night. We have yet to get consistent punting, and Quindarius Carr can't seem to ever get a punt return although at least he hasn't fumbled lately.
We drop to 2nd in the BCS standings. I don't think that matters because it won't matter unless we keep winning.
On we go to a win against Chattanooga and then Amen Corner with Georgia coming into Jordan-Hare. It will be interesting to say the least to see how this season ends up.
Football ScheduleRecord: 9-0 (6-0)
Date Opponent Result
Sept. 4 Arkansas State W 52-26
Sept. 9 at Mississippi State W 17-14
Sept. 18 Clemson W 27-24 OT
Sept. 25 South Carolina W 35-27
Oct. 2 Louisiana-Monroe W 52-3
Oct. 9 at Kentucky W 37-34
Oct. 16 Arkansas W 65-43
Oct. 23 LSU W 24-17
Oct. 30 at Ole Miss W 51-31
Nov. 6 Chattanooga TBA
Nov. 13 Georgia TBA
Nov. 26 at Alabama 2:30 p.m.
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