Jason Caldwell
Inside The Auburn Tigers/AUTigers.com
November 15, 2010
Auburn, Ala. -- Following a 49-31 win over Georgia Saturday in Jordan-Hare Stadium that improved Auburn to 11-0 and gave the Tigers the SEC Western Division title, the focus for Gene Chizik's team now turns to rival Alabama in a game that will take place the day after Thanksgiving in Tuscaloosa.
With its first week off of the regular season following 11 consecutive games, Auburn will use the time wisely Chizik said. In addition to getting some much needed rest and relaxation, the second-year coach said the Tigers will begin to work on the Crimson Tide in addition to seeking improvement on both sides of the ball.
"We're obviously very pleased we were able to beat a very tough Georgia team," Chizik said. "We have our first open date we've had all year, which I think comes at a very good time. We're a little bit beat up right now. I think this rest is going to help us.
"With the Iron Bowl coming up in two weeks we've got an extremely tough task at hand. We've got to go and prepare. This week it's going to be imperative that we practice the right amount and rest the right amount and do the right things to get ready for this game because it's going to be a tough one in Tuscaloosa."
After a crazy stretch the last 10 days surrounding quarterback Cameron Newton, Chizik refused to comment on that situation again on Sunday. He did however talk about the play of the junior in the win and what he brings to the table each and every time the Tigers step on the field.
"He's rushed for over 1,000 yards in SEC games," Chizik said of Cam's value. "It's everything. Whether it's third down conversions, what he means in the red zone, he's just a big part of our offense. When the game is on the line he wants the ball in his hands. If there's ever a situation where it's a third and one or fourth and one and the game is on the line or the end of the half, he wants the ball in his hands because he's so competitive. We know that about him and we feel really good about being able to have it in his hands with the game on the line."
Despite all the distractions surrounding him throughout the week Newton was again fantastic for the Tigers. Rushing 30 times for 151 yards and two touchdowns while completing 12-15 passes for 148 yards and two more scores, Newton added to his already impressive totals this season. He became the first player in SEC history to surpass 2,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards in the same season. He also tied Bo Jackson and Carnell Williams for the most rushing touchdowns in a season at Auburn with 17. His 21 touchdown passes are just one off the school record set last season by Chris Todd.
Defensively, Auburn again struggled early, allowing 21 first quarter points to fall behind the Bulldogs by two touchdowns. From that point forward it was all Tigers though, as they dominated the rest of the way by outscoring the visitors 42-10 the final three quarters.
The old saying goes that you win football games by running the football and stopping the run. That is exactly the formula Auburn has used to win 11 games this season and it has been especially apparent in SEC games. In the seven conference wins this season, the Tigers have allowed a total of just 858 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground. To put those numbers into perspective, Newton alone has 1,045 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns in SEC play this year. As a team, Auburn has gained 2,263 yards on the ground in conference action this season. That is over 1,000 more than the number two team LSU.
If the Tigers can keep up that pace in the season
