Auburn finds winning formula in youth

By JOHN ZENOR
AP Sports Writer

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) - The Auburn Tigers are seemingly getting younger and more banged up with every passing game.

Hey, whatever works.

The 22nd-ranked Tigers re-entered the Top 25 Sunday after a three-week absence, riding the strength of a 35-7 win over Vanderbilt that continued a recent hot streak.

They did it with four defensive starters out with injuries, three freshmen starting on the offensive line and a starting center who was hurt during the game.

``At times we look like a junior varsity team in terms of age, not how we were playing,'' coach Tommy Tuberville said. ``Man, we have a lot of guys hurt.''

Auburn (4-2, 2-1 Southeastern Conference) still carried a shutout into the final minutes and exploded to a 28-0 lead in the first half for a third straight win, but it was the first time this season the Tigers have dominated from the start.

Now, they visit Arkansas and unanimous No. 1 LSU in a key two-week stretch of SEC Western Division rivals.

Tuberville said Sunday he didn't yet know the status of linebackers Tray Blackmon (ankle) and Merrill Johnson (shoulder) or safety Aairon Savage (knee) and defensive end Quentin Groves (three dislocated toes). Or center Jason Bosley, who limped off the field with a sprained knee.

Auburn has played 15 freshmen and 11 redshirt freshmen this season, partly due to injuries. Tuberville decided to pull a redshirt off linebacker Josh Bynes and cornerback Ryan Williams, putting both on the field for the first time against Vandy because of the depth concerns.

It hasn't been all bad news for the Tigers. The offense benefited from the return of tailback Brad Lester from suspension, with the backs averaging 6.1 yards on 39 carries.

``It's a great addition,'' said Ben Tate, the team's leading rusher. ``He's a pretty good back. He just keeps us fresher. You can just see how many big plays we had. That's going to open up more big plays.''

Despite the injuries, here's something Tuberville couldn't have said three weeks ago when the Tigers were 1-2 and reeling from losses to Mississippi State and South Florida: ``I like where we stand.''

``We are making strides,'' he said. ``This team is getting confidence, and we are starting to believe in each other and starting to play as a team. We are 4-2 and we'd love to be a little bit better than that. But under the circumstances, I really feel good about our team and where we are after six games.''

Vandy (3-2, 1-2) left feeling less positive. Quarterback Chris Nickson struggled and was benched for the second half and receiver Earl Bennett was held to 31 yards on four catches.

``We've got a lot of football to play this year,'' Commodores coach Bobby Johnson said. ``This is a tough pill to swallow. I thought we would compete better. I thought we'd have a chance to come down here and have a great game, and we didn't do either.''

Mackenzi Adams replaced Nickson but they were a combined 12-for-31 for 88 yards, including an interception thrown by Adams.

``If you don't look good at that position, everybody sees it,'' Johnson said. ``That's part of playing it. Chris knows that. He's got to get better. We've got to get better at that position, and I think we will.''

Source: ncaafootball.com