Tuberville wants players to play for AU, not him

Tommy Tuberville doesn’t want his team to play for his job.

“Coaches go and come,” he said. “The color of their jerseys and the symbol on their helmet doesn’t go anywhere.

“I want them to play for them and Auburn. That’s what it’s all about,” Tuberville said. “Our guys and coaches are working very hard. I’m not putting any pressure on the coaches.”

Several Auburn players said they don’t let the speculation of Tuberville’s job status bother them. Linebacker Craig Stevens said Tuberville hasn’t brought up the possibility of him not being back next year to the players.

Cornerback Walter McFadden spoke adamantly about his and the team’s commitment to Tuberville.

“It’s nothing for us right now,” McFadden said. “We’re a team, and coach (Tuberville) has our back and we have his back.

“I’ll put it out there and say that’s our coach. There’s no way they’re trying to get rid of him because if they do, we all feel like we need to leave.”

Hood steps up

D’Antoine Hood got the hint that he would be starting for Jerraud Powers almost a full week before Saturday’s kickoff.

The added time, however, had no effect on his nerves.

“I’m always nervous before a game, because you don’t know what to expect, if you’re going to do bad or good,” said Hood, a true freshman who picked up his first career start against Ole Miss. “I always try to stay positive.

“If you ain’t nervous, I don’t think you’re ready to play.”

Tuberville said Powers (hamstring) tried to go a couple days in practice this week and said he figured Friday’s travel day would help his junior cornerback.

“He’s not even close,” Tuberville said.

For the most part, Hood, a Phenix City product, filled Powers’ shoes admirably.

He was tested on Ole Miss’ very first play from scrimmage, which went for an incomplete pass. He didn’t allow Ole Miss quarterback Jevan Snead to burn him deep and his only true blemish of the day was being whistled once for pass interference.

“He was scared to death as you can imagine,” Tuberville said. “He was out there covering two of the better receivers we’ve seen all year. I’m proud of him.

“I tried to stay away from him as most coaches did before the game. I’m sure he had to drink quite a bit of water during the game.”

More injuries
Wide receiver Rod Smith was sidelined with a hip pointer after Auburn’s first drive and didn’t see the field the rest of the day. He was in street clothes for the entire second half.

“They tried to get him going,” Tuberville said. “He just couldn’t hardly walk so we took him out.“

Auburn’s banged-up defense took some more nicks Saturday. Both Antonio Coleman and McFadden went down briefly and required medical attention during the first quarter.

Coleman returned for the following series and McFadden returned the very next play.

Tez Doolittle (groin) did not start, but played in the second half, while Sen’Derrick Marks played sparingly.

Penalties a killer

Auburn was flagged for nine penalties that resulted in an extra 67 yards for Ole Miss on Saturday.

A number of flags came on personal fouls. Three of those personal fouls came on Ole Miss’ touchdown-scoring drive early in the fourth quarter.

“You can’t have that many penalties,” Tuberville said. “That came out of nowhere.”

Two for the road
James Swinton’s reception in the fourth quarter saved the senior from a dubious distinction.

The reception was just Swinton’s second of the season. He caught his first pass in the first quarter of Auburn’s season opener against Louisiana-Monroe before missing three games with an injury and subsequently falling out of the mix.

In his three previous seasons, Swinton finished each year with just once reception.

Best/Worst
Best Entrance: Before Saturday’s kickoff, six paratroopers sailed from behind the Vaught-Hemingway scoreboard, turned mid-air above the opposite end zone and landed near the 50-yard line. None, however, landed directly on the blue capital “M.“

Best response: After a miserable first half, Auburn uncharacteristically turned it around in the second half and scored on its first drive. Kodi Burns hooked up with Chris Slaughter for 37 yards down the sideline before Ben Tate punched it in the end zone from 27 yards.

Best time for a running play: It would have been after Auburn called a timeout to set up third-and-12 on the Rebels’ 19. Instead, a short passing play was called and Burns threw it into cornerback Marshay Green’s arms. Chance to tie: gone. Game over.

Worst first half: For the first time all season, Auburn was held scoreless in the first half. The Tigers mustered just 80 yards of offense and had had just four first downs. Clinton Durst punted six times and the Tigers never advanced into Rebels’ territory.

Worst two minutes of football: The final two minutes of the first half didn’t go as planned for Auburn. The Rebels took possession with 2:04 to play and drove 86 yards to take a 10-0 lead. As if the Rebels needed more momentum heading into the locker room, Burns was hit hard on Auburn’s last play, an ugly incompletion.

Worst time for an interception: Deep in Rebels’ territory with a chance to tie or possibly take the lead, Burns hit Rebels’ cornerback Marshay Green right in the numbers early in the fourth quarter. The Rebels rode the momentum all the way down the field for the game-clinching touchdown.