Jacobs says no to proposed game with UCLA

AUBURN — Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs said Wednesday he nixed a proposed nationally televised game with UCLA at the Georgia Dome in 2010 because the Tigers’ schedule is already full.

“We were contacted to see if we had an opening on our 2010 schedule and we did not,” Jacobs said. “Our schedule had already been completed, and contracts had been executed for the 2010 season.”

According to the Los Angeles Times, ABC was attempting to broker a deal for the game. The Bruins are still seeking to replace an originally scheduled game against Kansas State.

Auburn is set to play Chattanooga, Louisiana-Monroe, Arkansas State and Clemson — all at Jordan-Hare Stadium — to fulfill the non-conference portion of its 2010 schedule. The Tigers will play at Clemson in 2011, per a two-year contract the schools signed in June 2007.

Under Jacobs’ scheduling philosophy, Auburn looks to obtain one marquee, non-conference matchup per season.

“We welcome the opportunity to talk about future schedules with UCLA and other BCS conference schools,” Jacobs said.

Byrum back in front: Wes Byrum, who has been the starting kicker in all but one game the past two seasons, has emerged as Jay Boulware’s top option.

“I’ve been really pleased with the last couple of practices with Wes,” Boulware said. “He’s gotten better with pre-practice kicks each day.”

Byrum had fallen out of favor in the first weeks of spring practice, as Boulware said walk-on Chandler Brooks was the most consistent among him, Byrum and fellow walk-on Morgan Hull. Less than five days later, Boulware said all three were too inconsistent to name a favorite.

Now, it’s Byrum’s turn to respond to praise.

“Right now,” Boulware said, “he’s back on top.”

Boulware said he’s not comfortable with the leg strength of any of the three when it comes to kickoffs, but Morgan Hull is currently the best.

“But he’s not very consistent,” Boulware said.

“We’re really hurting in that department right now.”

Clinton Durst, who started all but one game in 2008, is leading the battle at punter over Ryan Shoemaker, Boulware said.
“Durst is doing a phenomenal job,” Boulware said. “Shoe is still coming along. Durst, right now, he’s a better punter.”
A-Day scoring system unveiled: Gene Chizik released the previously top-secret scoring system Auburn used for its first two scrimmages Wednesday, so fans at Saturday’s A-Day can follow along.

Both the offense and defense can garner points in a variety of ways. The Jordan-Hare Stadium scoreboard will have one of its busiest days of the year, as the Tigers have put up scores of 44-40 and 61-34 in the first two scrimmages.

Here’s a full run-down of the scoring system.
Offense
- Touchdown — 6
- Field goal — 3
- “Explosive play” (15+ yard play) — 2
- Three consecutive first downs — 2
- PAT — 1
Defense
- Touchdown — 7
- Turnover (Unless TD) — 5
- Sack — 4
- Blocked field goal — 3
- Three and out — 2
- Tackle for loss — 2
- Blocked PAT – 1

Chased down: Onterio McCalebb has gained almost instant notoriety as the team’s fastest sprinter this spring, but the prep-school transfer tailback was chased down from behind not once, but twice in Saturday’s scrimmage.

What gives?

“I made the left corner miss and then I went and tried to take the outside and then my leg started hurting so I was slowing down,” said McCalebb, who has been nursing a sore hamstring for the bulk of spring practice. “I just ran out of bounds at the 5-yard line.”

McCalebb said he was near 100 percent for Tuesday night’s practice and guaranteed full health for Saturday’s A-Day game.

Asked what would have happened had he been at full strength this past Saturday, McCalebb smiled and said “I would’ve been gone.”