Auburn offense struggles through first preseason scrimmage
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Posted 6:28AM on Thursday, August 15, 2002
AUBURN, ALABAMA - Auburn coaches got a good look at players auditioning for starting jobs at quarterback and receiver Wednesday during the team's first preseason scrimmage. <br>
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Tigers coach Tommy Tuberville said the defense outperformed the offense during the hour-long scrimmage, even though many defensive starters didn't participate. <br>
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``The quarterbacks looked rusty and the wide receivers didn't catch the ball very well,'' Tuberville said. ``We blocked a lot better than we have been doing. <br>
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``We have a long way to go on offense. Defensively, we're a lot further ahead.'' <br>
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Sophomore Jason Campbell and senior Daniel Cobb continued their battle for the starting nod at quarterback. Campbell completed 6-of-11 passes for 50 yards, while Cobb threw for 67 yards on 4-of-9 passing. <br>
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Josh Sullivan, a baseball player walking on to the football team, was 2-of-5 for 32 yards. <br>
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``We'll look at the film of the quarterbacks,'' Tuberville said. ``It's hard to tell because a lot of the time, we didn't block the right player. It's hard to throw off your back foot when you have someone in your face all the time.'' <br>
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Ronnie Brown led all Tiger rushers with 72 yards on 13 carries, and Tre Smith added 56 yards on 10 carries. Carnell Williams was held out of the scrimmage. <br>
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The receivers were led by running back Chris Butler, who had three catches for 22 yards. Cooper Wallace and Anthony Mix had two catches apiece.