Tomorrow’s Notes Today—the “empty returns” edition

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Jay Boulware makes our job entertaining.

So does Trooper Taylor, but you already knew that.

Enjoy.

Boulware undecided with punt returners
Jay Boulware sat down in front of a few cameras and a bunch of recorders Wednesday with his focus divided.

While Boulware answered questions during his weekly meeting with reporters, a handful of players were still on the practice fields in hopes of winning the revolving door job as Auburn’s punt returner.

“They told me I had a stinkin’ interview,” Boulware said with a chuckle, “so I came up here.”

Before he returned to the field, Boulware divulged few details regarding the depth chart at punt returner, only acknowledging that it is, indeed, still an open job.

“I’m trying to figure that one out, too,” he said. “We’ve had about three guys back there and, in my mind, we haven’t done a great job—either one of those three.

“Those guys have either got it or they don’t, in my opinion, and I haven’t seen anybody who’s got it as of yet, so we’ll see.”

Wide receivers coach Trooper Taylor, who has a hand in monitoring Auburn’s punt returners, said Anthony Gulley, Demond Washington, Quindarius Carr, Eric Smith and Onterio McCalebb have been getting looks in practice this week.

Taylor said McCalebb worked with the group earlier in the week but has been slowed by his injured ankle.

Gulley started against Ball State but was yanked before the end of the first half after fumbling his first attempt and muffing another. Carr replaced him but never had to catch a punt. Washington returned three punts against Mississippi State, muffing one.

All told, the Tigers have three muffed punts, a fumble and rank 111th in the nation in punt return yards.

Tigers snag commitment from Tide
After four months of being committed to Alabama, four-star defensive end Craig Sanders abruptly changed courses and chose Auburn on Wednesday, according to AuburnSports.com.

Sanders (Antioch) is the first commitment Auburn has persuaded away from Alabama in more than six years, according to the Web site. In that same time, Alabama has convinced four Auburn commits to switch.

Sanders, a 6-foot-4, 230-pounder, is considered the No. 7 overall recruit in Alabama, the country’s No. 12 weakside defensive end and No. 199 overall prospect, according to Rivals.com.

Sanders is Auburn’s 17th commitment in the 2010 recruiting class and third defensive end.

UT: Tiger Walk unsafe
The University of Tennessee has put limitations on Saturday’s Tiger Walk because it is a “huge safety issue.”

In an e-mail, UT Assistant Athletics Director for Public Relations Tiffany Carpenter said Auburn fans can still greet the team as they get off the bus, but there will be no cheerleaders or marching band because of the “tight space.”

When the Tigers last played in Knoxville (2004), approximately 5,000 fans showed up, Carpenter said.

“If something had happened to a fan in that area, EMT would not have been able to respond because of the crowd size,” she said.

Mum’s the word
Offensive line coach Jeff Grimes wouldn’t tip his hand Wednesday regarding the ambiguity surrounding Auburn’s right guard situation in the wake of Byron Isom’s indefinite suspension.

Grimes referred all questions to coach Gene Chizik, who has yet to answer the question either, and did not elaborate on the progress of potential candidates to replace Isom.

“They’ve all done OK,” he said, referring to freshman John Sullen, Bart Eddins and Jared Cooper.

“I would say I’ve got to be confident in who I put on the field. If not, I haven’t done my job as a coach.”

On second thought
Freshman Andre Harris did not play against Ball State, refuting an original report in Auburn’s participation chart and maintaining his redshirt so far this season.

Chizik, when asked Sunday about Harris, said he played in the fourth quarter, but was confusing the freshman with junior reserve Darrell Roseman, an Auburn media relations official said Wednesday.

Grimes helped correct the mistake Wednesday.

“He didn’t play a snap and has not played a snap all year,” Grimes said.

Burns doing OK
Wildcat triggerman Kodi Burns, who was knocked out of Saturday’s game early with a bruised quadriceps, is “doing fine,” Taylor said.

“I don’t see why Kodi wouldn’t be playing,” Taylor said. “He’s done well in practice.”

(Photo credit: Cliff Williams)

UT: Tiger Walk a ‘huge safety issue’

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Friend of the blog Austin Ward of the Knoxville News-Sentinel just forwarded us an e-mail that details the reasoning behind the University of Tennessee putting the kaibosh on Tiger Walk.

This is from the desk of Tiffany Carpenter, Assistant Athletics Director for Public Relations.

The area where the visiting teams drops off is on a hill in a very tight space (by Gate 10). In 2004 when the Tigers played here, we had approximately 5,000 fans show up with the band and the cheerleaders, which was a great atmosphere but a huge safety issue for the student-athletes, band, cheerleaders and fans because of the tight space. If something had happened to a fan in that area, EMT would not have been able to respond because of the crowd size.

Auburn fans can still come greet the team as they get off the bus, we have just requested that the band and cheerleaders not set up because it does create a safety issue.

(Photo credit: Todd Van Emst)

Quotes of note from the Tuesday that was

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The players trickled in slowly during the afternoon yesterday, but it was a full-on bumrush in the evening.

Here are the coolest things each one, including a couple coaches, had to say.

Gene Chizik

(On the importance of Saturday’s game)
“Going to Tennessee is going to be a huge indicator of who we are for the rest of the year. We have not played on the road yet and we have not played in this type of venue with all these new guys. If you can go to a place like Tennessee and get a win, then it reveals more about your team and helps us into the month of October in a very good way.“

Walt McFadden

(On WRs Darvin Adams and Terrell Zachery)
“I knew they were going to be great receivers, but I didn’t think they’d jump out that fast like in the first four games. I thought it would be like Game 7, Game 8 when they would show out their true talent, because now they’ve got the feeling of being a full-time starter, understanding our offense and all that. But coach (Gus) Malzahn and coach Trooper (Taylor) have been doing a good job with them, and the results are showing.“

Mike Berry

(On the perceived lack of national respect)
“They’re not talking about us now, but they’re going to have a reason to talk about us. It’s about us going out there and putting up big numbers and having a great offense that can put up points. That’s proving it week to week.“

Gus Malzahn

(On Monte Kiffin’s defense)
“Well, they’re sound. They’re going to make you earn it. They play extremely hard and they’re very athletic too. He’s got some good players and he does a great job.“

Onterio McCalebb

(On returning punts)
“I’ve been wanting to do it since day one. But they wouldn’t put me back there because I was doing a whole bunch of other stuff.“

Daren Bates

(On Chizik yelling at him after a tackle against Ball State)
“He did after one of those tackles. I felt like that game was just a stepping stone for this coming weekend and I was just hyped. He had to settle me down and told me to celebrate with my teammates next time.“

Antoine Carter

(On if he’ll be more comfortable with his surgically repaired right knee this weekend)
“I’ll be confident because I’ll have guys coming down hill at me and I’ll have to hold my ground, get off blocks and get up field. I think Ol’ Sparky’s (slapping right knee) going to hold me down.“

Ryan Pugh

(On going to a silent count because of crowd noise)
“It doesn’t really change anything I do. We just have to practice for the noise. If we get up early you can take the crowd out of it. If not, we’ll play with the crowd and whole time and I’m sure we’ll manage.“

Darvin Adams

(On facing Eric Berry)
“When it’s a big name or a top player, it definitely does get you excited. It shows what you can do or what you can’t do.“

Antonio Coleman

(On this weekend’s game being a test of manhood)
“I would hope if you step on the field in my starting 11, I would hope you’ll be a man or I’ll make a man out of you.“

Craig Stevens

(On Tennessee being run-heavy on offense)
“It just simplifies it for me, to tell you the truth, because we both know what each other is doing. In the spread offense, you have to be on your toes. You never know what direction they’re coming from or anything. With this, it’s just more downhill, just simplifies the game. Just man on man.“

(Photo credit: Todd Van Emst)

Have you taken your ICSGA-2A capsules yet?

Down the hatch.

And thanks to the better David in the Media General family, David Mundee of the Dothan Eagle, and Buster Wolfe of the Selma Times-Journal for the help on the non-area teams.

Zion Chapel (1-4, 1-2) at No. 4 Reeltown (4-1, 3-0)
Zion Chapel Key Players: TB/CB Wesley Black (Jr., 5-7, 150); FB/LB Garrett Stinson (Sr., 5-10,190); QB/S Lance Walden (Sr., 5-11, 170)
Reeltown Key Players: QB/DB Milton Chambliss (Jr., 5-7, 155); RB/DB Trey McKeithen (Sr., 5-9, 175); RB/DB Willie McKenzie (Sr., 5-8, 150)
Stat Pack: Reeltown is averaging 295 rushing yards per game ... The Rebels defense surrendered 94 yards to Loachapoka last week ... Chambliss is 7-of-7 passing over the past two games.
Series Information: Reeltown beat the other Rebels, 43-0, last year in the teams’ only meeting.

No. 3 Clay County (5-0, 3-0) at Lanett (2-3, 1-2)
Lanett Key Players: TE/LB Nirobi Huguley (Sr., 6-2, 200); RB Aspen Peterson (Sr., 5-8, 200); QB/S Deontrelle Silmon (Jr., 6-2, 165)
Stat Pack: Peterson has rushed for 659 yards this year.
Series Information: Clay County beat the other Panthers, 41-8, last year in the teams’ only meeting.

Winterboro (3-2, 3-0) at No. 6 Loachapoka (4-1, 3-0)
Winterboro Key Players: RB Bacardy McClendon (Jr., 6-1, 195); RB/LB Coby Richardson (Sr., 5-9, 185); QB Josh Taylor (So., 6-0, 170)
Loachapoka Key Players: TE/DE Marvin Hunter (Jr., 6-3, 260); QB/DB Patrick Moore (Sr., 5-11, 170); WR/S Quindravius Richardson (Sr., 6-2, 190)
Stat Pack: The Indians gave up 13 more points to Reeltown than they had the rest of the season ... Richardson leads the team with three interceptions ... Moore has 749 passing yards and nine touchdowns.
Series Information: Loachapoka beat the Bulldogs, 30-0, last year. The Indians have won two of three meetings.

Notasulga (0-5, 0-3) at Talladega Co. Central (3-2, 2-1)
Notasulga Key Players: OL/DL Jamal Bowen (Jr., 6-0, 240); RB/LB Ledarious Stewart (So., 5-9, 165); RB/LB Cortavius Watkins (Jr., 5-9, 170)
Stat Pack: Stewart scored the Blue Devils’ lone touchdown last week ... Notasulga had 240 yards of total offense against LaFayette.
Series Information: Talladega beat the Blue Devils, 43-8, last year. The Fighting Tigers have won three of five.
What the coach says: “When (TCC’s) losing, it’s because they’re doing stupid things here or there, and they’re learning from those mistakes. They’re no slouch. They’re big and athletic as they ever were.” — Notasulga coach Roland Bell

Evangel Christian (2-3) at No. Lee-Scott (3-2)
Lee-Scott Key Players: RB/LB Will Garner (Sr., 5-9, 175); QB Trey Moreman (Sr., 5-11, 190); FB/DL Max White (Jr.)
Stat Pack: Garner and Moreman scored two of Lee-Scott’s four rushing touchdowns last week ... The Warriors’ defense has allowed 27 points over the past three weeks.
Series Information: Lee-Scott beat the Lions, 49-0, last season. The Warriors have won all three meetings.

Lowndes (4-1) at Glenwood (0-6)
Lowndes Key Players: RB/LB Tyler Bozeman (Jr., 5-10, 195); TE Kristian Kilpatrick (Jr., 6-3, 185); RB/LB Brandon Pate (Jr., 5-9, 175)
Glenwood Key Players: RB/LB Judson Humphries (Jr., 5-8, 180); WR/DB Elliott Lynn (Sr., 6-2, 175); OL/DL Austin Williams (Jr., 5-7, 200)
Stat Pack: Gators starting quarterback Will Allison is doubtful this week ... so is leading receiver Chase SIlvani ... Lowndes was the Class AA runner-up last season.
Series Information: Glenwood beat the Rebels, 35-21, last year. The Gators have won two in a row.
What the coach says: “They’re a bunch of big country boys that like to run it at you. Like every week, it hasn’t been a question of if we have anybody hurt, but how many.” — Glenwood coach Chris Holmes

Chambers (1-4, 0-3) at Dixie (2-3, 2-2)
Chambers Key Players: RB/LB Brandon Ashford (Jr.); RB/LB Chris Ashford (Sr.); RB/DB Kevin Swatts (Jr., 6-0, 170)
Dixie Key Players: WR/S/K Jordan Green (Sr., 6-2, 160); RB/QB/LB Eddie Marteli (Jr., 5-11, 180); QB/LB Mack Williams (Sr., 5-9, 160)
Stat Pack: The younger Ashford ran for 73 yards last week after missing almost two games with an ankle injury ... He and his brother have combined for 871 yards this season.
Series Information: Loachapoka beat the Bulldogs, 30-0, last year. The Indians have won two of three meetings.
What the coach says: “They got low numbers like we do, so it’s nice to play somebody in our situation, but we expect a battle from them. Our schedule was really front-loaded, so we feel like we can compete better in the second half.” — Chambers coach Jason Allen

Crenshaw Christian (4-1, 4-0) at Lyman Ward (0-4, 0-4)
Crenshaw Christian Key Players: RB/LB Darren Foster (Sr., 5-9, 172); FB/DB Nick Kilpatrick (Sr., 5-9, 147); RB/DB Tyler McGough (Sr., 5-10, 148)
Lyman Ward Key Players: TE/DE Brian Hollis (Jr., 6-4, 215); RB/LB John Koob; QB Robert Stegall
Stat Pack: The Rangers lost on a 97-yard blocked field goal returned for a score in the final minute last week ... Hollis had two fumble recoveries ... Stegall threw two touchdown passes.
Series Information: Crenshaw beat the Rangers, 46-14, last year in the teams’ only meeting.
What the coach says: “Now we realize that we can play with just about anybody. We’re just trying to stay productive, stay positive and grow from that.” —
Lyman Ward coach Sheldon Ward

Ballard Christian (6-0) at Covenant Christian (Ga.) (3-1)
Ballard Key Players: RB Judson Butler (Sr., 6-2, 175); TE Ben Causland (Sr., 6-1, 170); RB Jacob Hall (So., 6-0, 175)
Covenant Key Players: RB/CB Tyler Bliss (Sr., 5-11, 189); RB/LB Aaron Cline (Sr., 6-3, 231); TE/DE Jordan Hardee (Jr., 6-2, 155)
Stat Pack: Causland returns for the first time since injuring his knee in the preseason ... Butler leads the Eagles with 638 rushing yards ... Hall is right behind at 634.
Series Information: Covenant beat the Eagles, 24-7, last year in the teams’ only meeting.

Tomorrow’s Notes Today—the “thanks but no ranks” edition

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As we’ve said before, we think Auburn should be ranked somewhere in the top 25. Not really high, but ranked.

That’s what a 4-0 SEC team deserves.

We think the players are thinking that, too.

You be the judge.

Perceived ranking snub not bothering Tigers
Auburn is one of just four undefeated teams yet to be ranked, three if you’re limiting it to 4-0 teams and the only one left out among the SEC’s four unbeatens.

Two SEC teams saddled with a loss (Georgia and Ole Miss) are still ranked.

It’s the first time Auburn has been perfect after four games and unranked since 1963.

Is that fair?

If you don’t think so, file your complaints somewhere other than Gene Chizik’s office.

“I don’t control that and I don’t even have a thought on it,” Chizik said at his weekly press conference Tuesday. “Week to week we have to win and all that other stuff takes care of itself.”

Here’s the thing, though. Auburn didn’t lose a single game in 2004, finishing 13-0 after its Sugar Bowl victory over Virginia Tech, but everything didn’t figure itself out. All the Tigers have to show for that season is the “People’s Choice National Championship” and a top spot on the list of reasons why the current Bowl Championship Series system is flawed.

Chizik was here for that season, too.

“I think the circumstances of each year … there are a lot of moving parts in those decisions,” Chizik said. “Again, it’s something I have no control over. So do I worry about it? No, I really don’t.”

Preseason projections appear to be the hurdle Auburn currently faces, as 13 teams in both the Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today coaches’ polls have a loss. Even in the Harris Poll, which was released for the first time Sunday and, in theory, is supposed to ignore preseason expectations, Auburn sits at No. 26.

“It’s kind of frustrating, but it’s something we can’t control,” offensive guard Mike Berry said. “We go out there and try to win every game that we can.”

Though coaches’ ballots aren’t released to the public, it’s pretty safe to assume Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin had the Tigers on his ballot.

“This team, looking at the rankings this week, I’m very surprised that this opponent is not in the top 25,” Kiffin told reporters in Knoxville on Tuesday. “They’re 4-0 coming into the game, and they haven’t played a game that has been within 10 points.

“They’re extremely explosive. … Two weeks ago we played, at the time, the most explosive offense in college football and here we go again with one of the top three. This is going to be a big matchup for us.”

Even with the added media presence that comes with Tennessee week, Tigers’ players were comfortable with the dimmed spotlight that has followed them since the start of the season.

“We haven’t been caring,” cornerback Walt McFadden said. “Eventually, as long as we keep winning and as long as we stay undefeated, they’ve got to talk about us sooner or later.”

Don’t walk
Auburn announced on its Web site Tuesday that, at the University of Tennessee’s request, there will be no Tiger Walk before Saturday’s game.

UT is citing “safety and security measures” for the decision.

Isom update
Chizik had no news to report regarding suspended offensive guard Byron Isom on Tuesday, reverting to his “you’ll see him when you see him” stance – the same he had for previously suspended tailback Eric Smith.

Isom is practicing with the team, Chizik said, something Smith did not do until the week leading up to his return against Mississippi State.

If Isom is not available, the Tigers will use a rotation of freshman John Sullen, Bart Eddins and Jared Cooper at right guard.

Punt return update
Two days since he reopened the punt returning competition for the fifth time in as many weeks, Chizik said the field is still wide open, all the way from his son, defensive tackles and reporters.

Asked specifically if speedy tailback Onterio McCalebb was getting looks at the position, Chizik neither confirmed nor denied it.

“We are looking at everyone as a punt returner,” he said. “We are opening options and not kicking anyone to the curb. We are open-minded to some different guys. We have to keep working the ones we’ve already invested so much time and energy on because they are young guys who have a lot of time left to play.”

The Tigers are struggling in nearly every special teams category with the exception of kicker Wes Byrum’s perfect start to the season. Chizik said there’s been no change in how he and his coaching staff have stressed special teams in practice.

“We are coaching like we always coach, we don’t change,” Chizik said. “We are very demanding and very precise about what we want. We have to execute better, we have to coach better.”

(Photo credit: Cliff Williams)