Chizik: Labeling Fairley dirty is 'absurd'

Published Jan. 7, 2011 1:36 p.m. ET

foxsports

By JOHN ZENOR
AP Sports Writer
January 7, 2011

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- Auburn coach Gene Chizik calls talk that his star defensive tackle Nick Fairley is a dirty player "absurd."

Fairley has bodyslammed quarterbacks and knocked three out of games with hard hits. The talk escalated following a late hit on Georgia's Aaron Murray.

Asked Friday if he tries to hurt quarterbacks, Fairley responded, "Of course not."

Oregon quarterback Darron Thomas says the Ducks have "seen a lot of dirty plays, throwing people around after plays."

Chizik stuck up for the Lombardi Award winner. He says if an offense can't block a guy his size, "sometimes he's going to be very aggressive and people are going to get hurt."

Officials in Monday night's BCS national championship game might be keeping a close eye on Fairley.