AUBURN, Ala. — Fog persisted but the rains cleared Sunday, allowing the Auburn football team to move back outside for a full-pad, two-hour workout during its second practice prior to the Outback Bowl.
“Guys got in a couple skirmishes,” wide receivers coach Trooper Taylor said. “It sounded like football.”
The Tigers coaches used the practice to take an extended look at a group of inexperienced players usually stuck on the scout team. Taylor was particularly impressed by three true freshmen that are redshirting this season — running back Dontae Aycock, tight end Robert Cooper and quarterback Clint Moseley.
“I was really good to see those guys get a chance to compete,” Taylor said. “Some of them jumped out.”
Auburn hopes to work its freshmen and redshirt players extensively during the first week of pre-bowl practices before shifting its focus toward Northwestern.
“This is a very important time for those guys to get some extra work, learning how to play the game and do fundamental work,” defensive line coach Tracy Rocker said. “Today was a great day for those, I call them the ‘Young Tigers,’ the ‘Future Tigers.’”
All-SEC snub
Count Auburn’s coaches as those scratching their heads about wide receiver Darvin Adams’ omission from the All-SEC teams that were released last week.
The sophomore finished with a team-high 48 catches, 855 yards and 10 touchdowns. He was fourth in the SEC in receptions and yards and tied for first in receiving touchdowns.
“He’s done a great job for us, I’ll tell you that,” offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn said. “He’s been very solid. He’s played hurt and banged up. A lot of times he’s double-teamed and he’s still found ways to get the ball.”
Ole Miss’ Shay Hodge and Georgia’s A.J. Green were first-team selections on the Associated Press All-SEC team. The second team consisted of Arkansas’ Joe Adams, Florida’s Riley Cooper and LSU’s Brandon LaFell.
Adams, who missed part of the season because of a stroke, finished with 28 catches for 553 yards and seven touchdowns, but he had more name recognition than Darvin coming into the season.
“You like to know that that’s going to motivate him,” wide receivers coach Tayor said.
And the winner is ...
Auburn held an awards banquet for its players Saturday night. Running back Ben Tate was the big winner, voted by the coaches and players as the Team and Offensive MVP.
Defensive lineman Antonio Coleman and linebacker Craig Stevens were co-Defensive MVPs. Place-kicker Wes Byrum won the Special Teams MVP.
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