Big week? Hard to tell with Auburn's Cox

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Posted 5:39PM on Thursday, September 1, 2005

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) Clearly it's a big week for Brandon Cox. The new Auburn quarterback is preparing for his first collegiate start against a top defense after three years of waiting, after all. Of course Tommy Tuberville noticed a difference in the soft-spoken sophomore around the football offices. ``He says two or three words a day instead of none,'' the Tigers' coach said. OK, so Cox's demeanor hasn't changed all that much even with Georgia Tech visiting Jordan-Hare Stadium Saturday night to open the season for both teams. In fact, it's that unflappable personality the 16th-ranked Tigers are depending on from the heir to NFL first-round pick Jason Campbell. And there's no warmup game, no lightweight opponent allowing him to work out the jitters and build up his confidence. Nope, it's Georgia Tech, a team that blew out Syracuse 51-14 in the Champs Sports Bowl in its last outing. Welcome to the starting job, Brandon. Even if he doesn't show it, Cox knows all eyes will be on him against the Yellow Jackets, wondering about the new guy who got most of his experience in relief appearances during blowout wins last season. Can he lead the Tigers to a solid encore to last year's 13-0 SEC championship team? Or will he and the team struggle? ``It's definitely different,'' Cox said. ``It's something I've been waiting for a long time. It's the reason I came here. It's something special, and I'm pumped up about it.'' The former Alabama Mr. Football worried some Auburn fans when he rested a weary shoulder for a few days in practice, but proclaimed it ``100 percent'' this week. Cox knows his nerves might not be in quite such good shape before the game. But once he gets on the field, it's just football. ``Once I get that first snap out of the way and that first completion, I'll be fine after that,'' Cox said. ``You just get into a zone and you don't even realize there's 90,000 people watching.'' Like the fans, Georgia Tech defenders are well aware they'll be facing a wet-behind-the-ears quarterback with a chance to spoil his starting debut. The Yellow Jackets frequently blitz anyway, recording 38 sacks last season, and return eight defensive starters. Then again, Reggie Ball was a freshman making only his second career start when he led Georgia Tech to a 17-3 victory over the Tigers two years ago. Tuberville remembers Ball's performance well, ``watching him throw perfect passes, on the run or from the pocket. He threw it on the money.'' Ball did exactly what the Tigers are hoping Cox will do: Played within himself and didn't make any huge mistakes. ``Anytime you have a brand new quarterback you have to function different, whether you're in high school, college or pro,'' Tech coach Chan Gailey said. ``You're trying to turn things toward that guy and you just don't turn everything on a dime. ``It takes time to get everybody on the same page. Jason Campbell had certain abilities and Cox has certain abilities. We'll have to adjust accordingly.'' The Tigers are also breaking in new tailbacks in Tre Smith and Kenny Irons, replacing two more NFL first-rounders in Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown. Receiver Courtney Taylor doesn't think all that will faze Cox too much considering how he's handled the pressures of mastering the Tigers' offense. ``There's so much stuff they've thrown at him. Basically they threw the kitchen sink at him,'' Taylor said. ``Just his demeanor and his approach to it, calm, never getting frustrated ... If you practice that way, it will carry into the game.'' Cox left the team as a freshman because of medical problems, but he's gone through two spring practices and two summers with offensive coordinator Al Borges. Plus, he played in seven games last season, though his final two outings were brief because he threw two interceptions in three attempts against Arkansas and Kentucky. He had the benefit, however, of observing how Campbell endured criticism and on-the-field adversity without lashing out or getting rattled. Tuberville sees the same poise in his new quarterback, calling him ``a clone of Jason Campbell.'' ``He's got great presence on the field, in the huddle, at the line,'' Tuberville said. ``Even when there's pressure around him in the pocket, even with six or seven people (rushing) and he's got to get rid of it, Brandon always looks like he's in control. That's the sign of a good quarterback.'' (Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Big week? Hard to tell with Auburn&#39;s Cox

Big week? Hard to tell with Auburn's Cox