Tuesday, April 22, 2008

A largely unexpected Zach Kutch update

It’s possible you thought you’d never again read those words, but here it is: An update on former Auburn kicker Zach Kutch, whose departure was announced without much fanfare last month.

Kutch has transferred to Illinois State, according to this report in The Pantagraph, the newspaper in Bloomington and Normal, Ill.

According to the story, the Redbirds needed some kicking strength: ISU has attempted just one field goal longer than 40 yards over the past three seasons and tried three kickers last year.

Kutch averaged a decent, but not great, 53.2 yards on 16 kickoffs last season and didn’t record a touchback. He had two touchbacks on 14 kickoffs as a freshman in 2005, but struggled at times to keep the ball in bounds.

Illinois State, though, is willing to take a chance. The Redbirds’ head coach, the tastefully named Denver Johnson, seems optimistic.

“We evaluated him, and Zach evaluated us,” Johnson told The Pantagraph. “He knows the situation, and we both feel like it is a good move for him to come to Illinois State. He will have to come in and earn (the position), but we expect him to compete for the place-kicking job.”

Weird historical note: Linebacker Cavari Dailey and wide receiver Joe Walkins previously transferred from Auburn to Illinois State.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Rise and shine, it’s scrimmage time

A 7 a.m. scrimmage? You betcha.

Auburn’s second scrimmage of spring practice will take place bright and early, at least by the noon-loving standards of sports writers. It’s not entirely clear how long the scrimmage will last, or what the main emphasis will be. A shortage of tailbacks made the Tigers’ first scrimmage even more boring than usual. This one could well be more of the same, since Brad Lester is still the only healthy tailback (as of Tuesday) and QB Chris Todd still isn’t entirely healthy.

But you can find out for yourself, if you’re unemployed—or at least free in the mornings—and near Auburn. The scrimmage, at Jordan-Hare Stadium, is open to the public. Enjoy!

Monday, March 03, 2008

Tuesday’s practice cancelled

When Tommy Tuberville moved the start of spring practice forward by five days, one of the explanations offered was that more time between the start of practice and A-Day would give AU some wiggle room if rain scratched any practices. After one week of practice, the Tigers are already using that wiggle room.

Auburn won’t practice Tuesday morning, as scheduled. The next spring practice will take place at 7 a.m. Thursday. The re-scheduled date for Tuesday’s practice hasn’t yet been announced.

Saturday, March 01, 2008

Coleman update

Very, very good news on the Antonio Coleman front. Auburn’s athletic department just released this statement:

Auburn junior defensive end Antonio Coleman has full mobility to all of his extremities after suffering a cervical sprain during Saturday’s scrimmage at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Coleman is expected to make a full recovery.

Coleman, a native of Mobile, Ala., was taken via ambulance to East Alabama Medical Center for evaluative purposes, where he was treated and released.  EAMC personnel were on site within five minutes of the injury.

Obviously, the primary feeling for everyone concerned has to be relief. The circumstances of the injury are still unclear, and I think there’s a chance we’ll never know exactly how he was hurt. But if there is indeed no serious damage, and if he does indeed make a full recovery, it’s a very fortunate thing.

Scary moments

Auburn’s first scrimmage of spring practice ended on an extremely bad note this morning: Junior defensive end Antonio Coleman was taken off the field in an ambulance after the final play of the scrimmage. It’s not clear what happened on the play: Offensive tackle Lee Ziemba was blocking Coleman, who hit the ground before the end of the play and lay—apparently motionless—for at least 15 minutes. Emergency medical personnel and Auburn’s trainers immobilized Coleman’s neck, lifted him onto a wheeled stretcher and placed him in the ambulance while the fans on hand cheered. A few more minutes passed before the stretcher left for East Alabama Medical Center.

It’s much, much too early to speculate about the injury, its causes or its duration. Coleman didn’t appear to be moving when he was carried to the ambulance, and no Auburn coach or player gave the crowd any kind of thumbs-up or other signal. However, Tommy Tuberville said Coleman was able to move and respond to coaches and medical staff. Obviously, that’s a very, very good sign.

I’ll have an update as soon as any news comes out about Coleman’s condition.