AU FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK: Former Tiger LB Trahan returns as Ole Miss starter

When Ole Miss linebacker Patrick Trahan comes back to Auburn on Saturday, he better bring his checkbook.

Walt McFadden wants his money back.

McFadden and Trahan were supposed to be roommates for the 2007 season, but when Trahan was ruled academically ineligible, he immediately dropped out and transferred to Northwest Mississippi Community College.

That left McFadden in a bind.

“He left me with all the rent,” the senior cornerback said with a chuckle. “And I had to pay a fine for that. So, hopefully, I can try to get that back this weekend.”

Trahan spent two years at Auburn, redshirting the 2005 season and playing some in 2006.

He was poised to get a crack at the starting lineup in 2007, but his academic ineligibility slammed the door.

Trahan has repeatedly expressed frustration with how Auburn’s coaches handled his situation.

“I look at it like a missed opportunity,” Trahan told the Jackson Clarion-Ledger. “I would have started as a sophomore there and I think I was taking steps to being what I wanted to be. But that (academic situation) derailed me. But now I’m fighting back to getting
where I want to be. I look at it like that. This (game) can be a step forward.”

After a year in junior college, Trahan signed with Ole Miss in 2008. He started two games that year, but has truly come on this season.

Trahan is third on the Rebels with 36 tackles and leads with four sacks.

Auburn players still refer to Trahan as “Gator,” — a nickname that had more than one origin, depending on whom you ask.

“He used to run up and down the field clapping his hands (like a gator),” McFadden said. “We used to tease him and say he looked like a gator.”

Fresh legs
Auburn held its first practice since Saturday’s loss at LSU on Tuesday — a two-hour session that players and offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn said had a renewed sense of energy.

“I think they had a little extra step, looked a little quicker, looked a little fresher,” Malzahn said. “And I think their mind was a little
fresher, too.”

Coach Gene Chizik opted to forego Sunday’s practice in favor of extra film study and positional meetings. Auburn is always off on Mondays, which gave the Tigers more than 48 hours of rest from the 31-10 loss.

“I thought that the timing was really good and that was great,” Chizik said. “They were excited about really looking at the film. Their response was great, and I think that the timing was just right.”

More support
Malzahn said he wasn’t surprised, but still impressed by the support backup quarterback Neil Caudle aired for embattled starter Chris Todd on Sunday.

Caudle played one series Saturday, driving the Tigers down the field and throwing his first career touchdown pass in the waning moments, but said he fully supported Todd as the team’s starter.

“Neil’s a winner,” Malzahn said. “And Neil’s a solid quarterback also and you saw that when he came in. He gave us a lift toward the end, found a way to get in the end zone, which was very encouraging.

“He’s a team guy. He’s a winner. He’ll do whatever it takes to help this team win. He’ll be ready if called upon.”

Center Ryan Pugh also voiced his support for Todd and said the team was surprised that Chizik had to say he would start Saturday against Ole Miss.

“He’s still the same quarterback we named as a starter Day 1, and he’s still our quarterback,” Pugh said. “Everyone is behind him.
He’s a great player. He’s going through the same thing we’re all going through right now. It’s tough on him because when you’re the quarterback you’re going to get a lot of the blame.”

More looks
Freshman tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen was on the receiving end of Caudle’s touchdown pass Saturday. It was his second catch of the drive and second touchdown catch of the year.

Malzahn said Lutzenkirchen has made major progress since he’s arrived.

“He’s an extremely talented pass-catcher,” Malzahn said. “He’s gotten better at blocking and the things we’re asking him to do and he’s practicing well, getting more confidence.”

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