Tigers say coach talk not a distraction

ATHENS, Ga. - For a solid week leading up to Saturday’s game at Georgia, fans and media members were abuzz with speculation about Auburn head coach Tommy Tuberville’s job status.

The questions about Tuberville’s future - with a possible opening at Texas A&M leading the way - even dominated the coach’s radio call-in show Thursday night, with several callers begging him to stay.

But no one associated with AU believed all the talk affected Saturday’s game.

“That ain’t got nothing to do with it,“ Tuberville said. “Media talked about that.

“Not one player said anything about it, not one coach.“

For Tuberville, the answer was much simpler than curiosity about his future.

“We got beat tonight,“ the coach said. “That’s all there is to it. …We didn’t coach or play very good tonight.“

Senior noseguard Josh Thompson, a Georgia native, agreed.

“We don’t even pay attention to that,“ Thompson said.

Texas A&M lost, 40-26, at Missouri on Saturday, dropping the Aggies and head coach Dennis Franchione to 6-5. Auburn is 7-4.

Injury report

Freshman Ryan Pugh started at left tackle. Pugh had missed the previous three games with an ankle injury; King Dunlap started in his absence. Dunlap played at least one series in relief of Pugh.

Linebacker Craig Stevens (ankle) and tailback Tristan Davis (toe) didn’t play.

Dawgs’ blackout a success

Heading into Saturday’s game, Georgia’s seniors called on their fans to “black out” Sanford Stadium by wearing black clothing. Pregame speculation centered on whether the Bulldogs would also be clad in black.

When Georgia’s captains took the field for the pregame coin toss, all four wore red jerseys. But when the Bulldogs took the field a few minutes later, every player wore black - including the captains, who took off their red jerseys to reveal black ones underneath.

The appearance of the black uniforms gave the crowd of 92,746 a jolt, but AU head coach Tommy Tuberville said the blackout didn’t affect the Tigers.

“That didn’t bother us,“ Tuberville said. “We’re going to tackle the team in the other color jersey - or try to.“

Etc…

The loss snapped Auburn’s 15-game win streak in white uniforms. … For the first time all season, Auburn trailed at the half. Entering the game, AU was the only Football Bowl Subdivision team to have led at halftime in every game. … Cox recorded his 500th career completion, joining Jason Campbell and Pat Sullivan as the only AU quarterbacks with 500 completions. … Cox’s first-quarter interception was his first in 89 attempts, dating back to Oct. 6 against Vanderbilt.

Best of the Day

Best fake-out: Georgia’s captains came out for the coin toss in red jerseys, making everyone think the “Blackout” was just for Bulldog fans. However, when the entire Georgia team ran on the field, it was wearing black jerseys. The captains were hiding their black tops underneath the red ones.

Best pick: Auburn defensive back Jerraud Powers stepped in front of a Matthew Stafford pass on the Bulldogs’ opening drive of the third quarter. Powers returned the ball back to the UGA 27-yard line, setting up …

Best tight-rope walk: Auburn running back Mario Fannin came oh-so-close to stepping out of bounds on his way to the tying touchdown after catching a Brandon Cox pass in the flat. Fannin, however, was able to control his body and stop short of the sideline and tiptoe in for a 12-yard score.

Best stop: After making it a 7-point game in the second quarter, Auburn’s defense came up with a big three-and-out, paced by a first-down sack by DE Antonio Coleman.

Worst of the Day

Worst start: On the first play of the game, AU quarterback Brandon Cox drops to throw over the middle to senior tight end Cole Bennett. The ball was picked off by Georgia safety Kelin Johnson. That looked familiar.

Worst coverage: There wasn’t an Auburn defender within 10 yards of Georgia wideout Mohamed Massaquoi on his 58-yard touchdown reception from Matthew Stafford.

Worst dive: On his final punt of the first half, Georgia’s Brian Mimbs was rushed by the Auburn defense. He wasn’t touched on the play, but fell on the ground like he had been “roughed.“ Somewhere Charlie Brown is shaking his head.

Unsung Hero

Antonio Coleman

The redshirt sophomore defensive end finished the game with eight tackles, including four for loss and a sack.