Auburn's limping defense gets linebacker back

AUBURN, Ala. - Tray Blackmon felt even more helpless than his fellow Auburn defenders in the past two games.<br> <br> The redshirt freshman linebacker, his suspension finally lifted, can try to give the 11th-ranked Tigers&#39; beleaguered defense a hand against No. 2 Florida.<br> <br> Blackmon will see his first college action Saturday following a six-game suspension for an underage drinking arrest in May.<br> <br> ``Watching my guys out there going through some bad times, I kind of feel bad because I feel like I let them and myself down,&#39;&#39; Blackmon said. ``I could be out there trying to make a difference.<br> <br> ``I said to myself that the way to take care of that is when I do come back, to make a difference.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> The Tigers (5-1, 3-1 Southeastern Conference) could certainly use the help after back-to-back struggles. They couldn&#39;t stop Syvelle Newton and South Carolina&#39;s passing game, then allowed 279 yards rushing in a 27-10 loss to Arkansas.<br> <br> Blackmon&#39;s return prompts a shuffling in the linebacking corps. A projected starter before his suspension, the former Parade All-American is battling Merrill Johnson for the No. 1 job at weak-side linebacker after winning the job in the spring.<br> <br> The team&#39;s most experienced linebacker, Karibi Dede, will move from that spot to the middle, where Johnson has been starting.<br> <br> The Tigers are hoping for a spark from the hard-hitting Blackmon, who forced 13 fumbles in his final two seasons at LaGrange (Ga.) High School.<br> <br> ``We&#39;ve got some guys who can run around, but Tray has this knack of getting to the ball and being so explosive on his tackles,&#39;&#39; linebackers coach James Willis said. ``He brings an added dimension to the ballgame, so I think that will help us out.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Blackmon was ordered to participate in a 90-day pretrial program following his arrest in LaGrange. Coach Tommy Tuberville suspended him and fellow linebacker Kevin Sears for an unspecified number of games for unrelated off-the-field incidents. Sears returned three weeks ago, while Blackmon waited.<br> <br> The 6-foot, 210-pounder finally got the good news on Sunday.<br> <br> ``It made me feel good,&#39;&#39; Blackmon said. ``I&#39;ve been waiting for that call all season. I&#39;m ready to contribute to the team.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> The Tigers still rank sixth nationally in scoring defense, but have given up a combined 715 yards and 41 first downs the past two games. Dede thinks Blackmon can help change that.<br> <br> ``He&#39;s a big-time hitter, which is big for momentum in a game,&#39;&#39; he said. ``I&#39;m just anxious to see him get out there and just clock somebody.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Blackmon never publicly complained about the length of his suspension as it dragged deeper into the season. He isn&#39;t about to start now.<br> <br> ``When I came here, I gave all my trust to the coaches that they were going to do the right thing,&#39;&#39; he said. ``I feel like if that&#39;s how long it took, that&#39;s how long it took.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> But Blackmon likes the timing of his return, a chance to make his debut against the Gators&#39; Chris Leak and a high-powered offense. How does it feel?<br> <br> ``I can&#39;t explain with words,&#39;&#39; he said. ``Football is what I do. That&#39;s paying for my education. To not go out there and play is hard for me. I just want to make something happen.&#39;&#39;