Cotton/Poly Blend, 12/31: Early kickoff no problem
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BY STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star
The Cotton Bowl’s 10:40 a.m. kickoff Monday will require an extremely early wake-up call for a bunch of college kids.
Yet Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville said Saturday the early kickoff isn’t as big a concern as the fact that a bowl game typically takes a team far from its normal buildup for a regular-season game.
“You don’t have your guys in a regular routine as much as you would like,” said Tuberville, who has a 4-3 record all-time in bowl games as a head coach, including 3-3 at Auburn. “The guys are going to be a little bit harder to get focused because there are so many outside distractions. But that’s our job as coaches, to try to get them ready and try to get their legs back the next couple of days.”
Tuberville said he turns to his seniors for help at bowl time.
“You’ve got to depend on your senior leadership in any situation,” the coach said.
“Players win games; coaches don’t. We can put curfews out and do other things to try to get them ready to go in the morning. But when it’s all said and done, your senior leadership has to step in.”
At any rate, Auburn had a 2-2 record this season in games that featured morning kickoffs. The Tigers won road games against Mississippi State (34-0) and Mississippi (23-17) and lost home contests to Arkansas (27-10) and Georgia (37-15).
“I think those losses were just a fluke,” said Auburn quarterback Brandon Cox, noting the Tigers practiced at 6 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday throughout the season. “We had great practices. We just came out and had two bad games, and they happened to be in the morning.”
Meanwhile, Nebraska was 1-1 in 11 a.m. games, losing to Texas (22-20) and defeating Missouri (34-20). Both games were in Lincoln.
“I think having gone through it, certainly it helps,” said Nebraska coach Bill Callahan. “You have to wake up nasty and be ready to play.”
SIZE MATTERS: Nebraska’s front four on defense has Auburn’s attention, if only because of the group’s size. The starters are ends Jay Moore (6-foot-4, 280 pounds) and Adam Carriker (6-6, 295) and tackles Ola Dagunduro (6-2, 300) and Barry Cryer (6-2, 280). Ndamukong Suh (6-4, 305) also gets playing time.
“When they were born, I think they were all over 10 pounds and I think it all just stuck with them,” Tigers tailback Kenny Irons said. “They are some pretty big guys. I mean, they’re huge. They must eat every hour, and I mean keep eating.”
Nebraska’s linemen are more than just a bunch of big guys; they’re also fundamentally sound, said Auburn offensive coordinator Al Borges.
“They’re as good up front techniquewise as anybody we’ve played,” Borges said. Nevertheless, “We’re going to try to run straight at them. They’ve been good, but we can’t concede against anybody. You can’t concede that you aren’t going to be able to run the ball just because they’ve done a good job in other games. You have to make them prove it.”
FULLBACK KEY: Both Nebraska and Auburn are physical rushing teams that often feature two running backs in the backfield. Listening to Callahan on Saturday, it’s clear he isn’t about to change his philosophy regarding the importance of the running game, including the use of a fullback.
“Our fullback, Dane Todd, has done a beautiful job of providing that role. And I truly believe that if your defense is going to be better, you’ve got to have a fullback who’s going to come down and ice the weakside linebacker, the strong side, and the Mike linebacker. It just toughens up your defense. Not taking anything away from the spread teams and what they’re trying to accomplish these days, but I really truly believe if you’re going to be a great run-stopping defense, you’ve got to see two-back sets in practice and you’ve got to see a lead back and those linebackers have got to learn to take on the (fullback).
“There are not many teams around the country that have a two-back offense. But we still believe in it. We still believe that the fullback plays a vital role in the running game.”
INJURY UPDATE: The Huskers apparently will be close to full-strength offensively in both the backfield and on the line. Callahan said Saturday that all four I-backs, as well as sophomore right tackle/guard Matt Slauson (knee) and guard Greg Austin (knee), will be available for the bowl game.
TOO MUCH FUN: Boys will be boys, and apparently Auburn players did a little too much carousing in the days leading to last January’s Capital One Bowl loss to Wisconsin in Orlando, Fla. The Badgers jumped to a 17-0 lead and finished with 548 total yards. “If you’re coming in at 3 or 4 in the morning, you can’t perform to your best in practice,” said Tigers standout offensive guard Ben Grubbs. He said Auburn’s curfews are stricter for this year’s bowl game. “The feeling after that loss wasn’t good. We sent the seniors out on a bad note.” Now, Grubbs is a senior. “I definitely don’t want to lose this game.”
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