Auburn coach Curtis Luper looking for better play from his tailbacks against Arkansas
Auburn running backs coach Curtis Luper said Wednesday he's looking for better play for his tailbacks in Saturday's game against Arkansas.
Luper said his tailback have done well, "but not well enough. We've got to play better. I'm looking for us to contribute to this football team."
Quarterback Cam Newton leads Auburn in rushing with 672 yards. The No. 1 tailback, Mike Dyer, has 390 yards.
Luper said Mario Fannin is playing better since his return from injury.
"He's moved the chains, but I need more than moving chains, I need touchdowns,"
Luper said.
**Coach Gene Chizik said the Tigers had a good practice Wednesday, which was a more positive assessment than the one offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn gave of Tuesday's workout.
"The tempo was upbeat. It's been a good week,"
Chizik said.
He also said the Tigers have been on an even keel heading to the game between his No. 7 Tigers and No. 12 Arkansas.
"I think our players kind of get that,"
Chizik said. "Win or lose, we have to come back the next week and play another great opponent."
"I feel good that's where they've been in other weeks."
**Chizik said freshman punter Steven Clark is in line to punt for the second consecutive week and for the second time in his career.
**Chizik said linebacker Eltoro Freeman, who didn't play last week because of undisclosed injury, is "day-to-day."
Chizik also reaffirmed that it doesn't look as if receiver Trovon Reed will play again because of bad knee. He briefly appeared in one game.
"It's getting to the point now it's going to be close to redshirt time,"
Chizik said.
**Chizik was asked about Wes Byrum's game-winning field goal last week. Chizik took the opportunity to praise the clutch snap of Josh Harris and the hold of Neil Caudle.
"They haven't been perfect all year, but I think they've done a nice job,"
Chizik said.
**Defensive line coach Tracy Rocker had plenty of nice things to say about Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett, the SEC's No. 1 passer. Besides having a "big arm" and being a "big prospect," Rocker said Mallett "doesn't let you tackle him; he doesn't like you sack him."
"He's a sight to watch. He's got everyone around here awake thinking about what we're going to do."
**Cornerback Devin Gaulden, who committed to Auburn in July, has decommitted. The 5-foot-10, 177-pounder from the University School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., had played just one year of high school football when he committed.
Auburn has other cornerbacks on their recruiting list, including Robenson Therezie from Jackson High School in Miami, Fla., who will be visiting the Tigers this weekend, according to the website auburn.247Sports.com.
Auburn is also recruiting Marcus Roberson from St. Thomas Aquinas in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Jermaine Whitehead from Amanda Elzy in Greenwood, Miss., and Ahmad Christian from Trinity Christian in Jacksonville, Fla.
