Player Ratings: Auburn-Alabama
The following ratings are awarded on a 1-10 scale to the top 11 offensive players, 11 defensive players, and three substitutes for Auburn in today’s game.
Auburn Offense:
Cam Newton, QB - 7.0
Only 39 yards rushing , but 216 yards in the air helped account for three of his four touchdowns.
Mike Dyer, TB - 5.5
Rushed for 27 yards on nine carries.
Philip Lutzenkirchen, HB - 6.5
Hauled in a the game-tying touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, giving him three big touchdowns in the last two games.
Darvin Adams, WR - 6.0
Made two catches for 29 yards, both timely.
Terrell Zachery, WR - 7.0
The senior had a monster game with 79 receiving yards and a touchdown reception.
Kodi Burns, WR - 6.0
Earned the first big reception of the game for Auburn (two total for 32 yards).
Lee Ziemba, OT - 5.5
Blocked well late, but contributed to Cam Newton getting sacked four times in the first half.
Mike Berry, OG - 6.0
Helped with run-blocking, especially late with two big Onterio McCalebb runs.
Ryan Pugh, C - 5.5
Was a swinging gate in the first half, his normal prime-blocking self in the second.
Byron Isom, OG - 5.5
Like the rest of Auburn’s offensive line, his best came out in the second half.
Brandon Mosley, OT - 5.5
Blocked what he could early (he was targeted), but scrapped his penalty-prone tendencies.
**
Auburn Defense:
Antoine Carter, DE - 7.0
Punching out the ball on Mark Ingram’s longest carry of the day proved to be the game’s turning point.
Nick Fairley, DT - 8.5 (Star of the Game)
Recorded a sack, forced a fumble, and created havoc all game; the norm for Auburn’s best defensive tackle since Tracy Rocker.
Mike Blanc, DT - 7.0
After his first half suspension, helped the Auburn d-line — and Nick Fairley specifically — manhandle Alabama’s front five.
Michael Goggans, DE - 7.5
In one half, Goggans turned in his best performance of the season which included a sack on Greg McElroy on his first play.
Craig Stevens, OLB - 6.5
The senior linebacker roughed up Trent Richardson and Mark Ingram.
Josh Bynes, MLB - 6.0
Made some big pops in the second half that led the momentum to swing in Auburn’s favor.
Daren Bates, OLB - 5.5
Wrapped up on tackles when opportunity presented, but didn’t factor in too much as the d-line stifled the Alabama rushing game.
Neiko Thorpe, CB - 5.0
Julio Jones was too much for him, but his second half effort was solid.
Zac Etheridge, S - 5.5
Pitched in on run stoppages, not much of an aid against Alabama’s passing game.
Mike McNeil, S - 5.5
When he was in position, he made plays; however, he found himself out of position on several occasions.
Demond Washington, CB - 5.5
Left for dead in coverage, but contributed 65 yards to Auburn’s return efforts.
**
Auburn Key Subs:
T’Sharvan Bell, CB - 7.5
Strong in the second half, earned a sack from the nickel position and a late game pass breakup.
Onterio McCalebb, TB - 7.5
102 all-purpose yards made Auburn’s smallest runner a giant in the year’s biggest game.
Emory Blake, WR - 7.0
His three catches produced 39 yards and Auburn’s first points on the board.
@davidsmith28 @auburnjunglecat
The Jungle Cat is an online magazine dedicated to Auburn Tigers football, written by David Smith.
