TAMPA, Fla. — Only four quarters remain in Auburn quarterback Chris Todd’s winding career, one in which he’s played the scapegoat and the hero, sometimes within a matter of a few weeks.
“People are trying to remind me, but I’m trying to treat it like it’s the next week,” Todd said. “After I’m done I can kind of look back on it and I can really cherish some of the stuff I went through.”
It’s been an unusual career for Todd, one that’s included two transfers, shoulder problems and occasional backlash from the home crowd.
But the senior has made his mark on the Plains regardless. Todd, who is 10-7 as a starter at Auburn, threw 21 touchdowns this year, setting the school’s single-season record, a remarkable feat considering he didn’t enter the quarterback picture until the summer following shoulder surgery last December.
“Everything he went through, he was battle-tested,” offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn said. “He doesn’t get too high or too low. A quarterback at Auburn or a quarterback in the SEC, that’s what you’ve got to do. I think he’s had fun. And he’s gone above and beyond our expectations.”
Todd gained his teammates’ respect for the hours he logged at Auburn’s athletic complex during the offseason, trying to soak in everything he could about Malzahn’s system so he could jump into the quarterback mix once his arm allowed him to. He said he never stayed overnight but conceded that he had napped there a few times.
“Between the workout time that they already require of us, that coupled with the rehab he was doing on his shoulder, and then when the coaching staff got here trying to learn a new offense, that doesn’t leave much time in the day other than to do those things and to go to class,” right tackle Andrew McCain said. “And he’s one of those guys that just really embraced his opportunity.”
Todd grew to appreciate the school’s traditions and history, even if he took his fair share of abuse from Auburn fans.
“Coming through certain situations and working hard and really giving everything you’ve got, that’s all you can do to try to carry on what Auburn’s already done,” he said. “I feel humbled and very grateful to be a part of a program like Auburn.”
‘Good Guy’ honored
In a nearly unanimous vote, Auburn beat writers selected cornerback Walt McFadden as the first recipient of the “Good Guy Award,” which will be presented annually to recognize a player who is consistently congenial and professional in his interactions with the media.
“I really do appreciate that,” McFadden said when informed of the honor. “I want to thank everybody. ... I feel like I’m at an awards show.”
Several other players were considered, including Todd, tight end Tommy Trott, H-back Mario Fannin and linebackers Josh Bynes and Craig Stevens.
McFadden, a native of Pompano Beach, Fla., has started 24 consecutive games for the Tigers and was an All-SEC second-team selection. He is also a member of the SEC’s community service team.
“You couldn’t have picked a better one,” Auburn head coach Gene Chizik said. “He’s a great ambassador for Auburn. He’s a great person. He’s a great football player. He’s always the same. He never changes, so what you see is what you get. I wasn’t aware of the award, but now that I am I don’t think you could have picked a better one. That was a good pick.”
Amusing afternoon
The Tigers enjoyed a trip to the amusement park Busch Gardens on Monday evening, although roller coasters weren’t high on everybody’s to-do list.
McCain said it was the first time left tackle Lee Ziemba had ever been on a roller coaster.
“I looked over there and he was sweating, almost to the point of tears because he was so nervous,” McCain said with a laugh. “That was probably the most exciting moment for me was to watch him suffer when the roller coaster took off.”
Some Auburn players avoided the roller coasters altogether.
“Man, I don’t do all the heights and stuff,” defensive end Antonio Coleman said. “I like to ride in the teacup sand stuff like that. I’m a real slow and gentle guy. I like to coast.”
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