Auburn fans may find Tigers’ attack offensive
AUBURN ? An e-mail from Dean of Students Johnny Green landed in the in-box of every Auburn student this week. The note included all the requisite admonitions about class and sportsmanship, but the second sentence got to the heart of the matter: “Please join me by agreeing to demonstrate your support for, and not criticism of, our football team. That means no booing!”
Green’s note was well-intentioned, but it will probably be fruitless. If Auburn’s offense struggles as it did last week, there will be booing. Quarterback Chris Todd will be booed. Offensive coordinator Tony Franklin will be booed. Chants for Kodi Burns will be initiated. (One downtown Auburn bar already posted a pro-Kodi message on its marquee this week.)
Brandon Cox, whose name can be found atop many of Auburn’s career passing records, was booed heartily at times. Todd could suffer the same indignity this week.
Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville doesn’t worry about that.
“It wouldn’t make much difference because I’m here to win games,” he said. “We are 3-0, right? I’ve always noticed that the backup quarterback is the most popular guy when you’re not playing good offense. That’s part of it and I’m glad that our people care.”
Auburn is, in fact, 3-0, which is a lot better than 1-2, Auburn’s record a year ago when the offense was struggling in a similar manner. Like this year, Burns was the popular backup. Cox lost his job very briefly before regaining it and leading Auburn to wins over Florida, Alabama and Clemson and a successful year.
al.com
9/18/08
