Auburn's Lester wonders what could have been

AUBURN, Ala. - Brad Lester was once Auburn&#39;s starting tailback. Remember?<br> <br> He won the job heading into last year&#39;s Arkansas game and held onto it for all of seven carries before injuring his groin. Then, a guy named Kenny Irons took over.<br> <br> ``I was real excited,&#39;&#39; Lester said. ``It was a real good start here getting to start as a redshirt freshman, and then having it taken away from you that next week. That was rough.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Irons never relinquished the No. 1 spot, going on to lead the Southeastern Conference in rushing last season and again so far this year entering Saturday&#39;s rematch with the Razorbacks.<br> <br> Only a sophomore, Lester resigned himself quickly to the role of understudy for another season.<br> <br> ``Kenny&#39;s a good back and everybody knows that,&#39;&#39; he said. ``Any time you get hurt and he takes over that position, he&#39;s pretty much going to hold onto it.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Lester has been an effective backup. Irons has three times as many carries, but Lester has six touchdowns five rushing and one receiving to his three.<br> <br> The pecking order is unquestioned, though. Lester didn&#39;t get a carry in last week&#39;s game at South Carolina.<br> <br> He admits he has been looking forward to getting another shot at Arkansas, and coaches have told him to expect some rushes.<br> <br> Because of the injury against Arkansas, Lester had only two more carries in the final five regular season games last year.<br> <br> He can&#39;t help but wonder what might have been if the injury hadn&#39;t occurred, but says his friendship with Irons and the fact that he has two years remaining has helped ease the sting of his situation.<br> <br> ``Of course any normal person&#39;s going to think about what could have happened if I hadn&#39;t gotten hurt last year,&#39;&#39; said Lester, who averaged 6.5 yards per carry last season.<br> <br> ``Would I have as many yards and would I be starting now and stuff like that? But stuff just happens. It happened with somebody I know, and we both learn from each other. I have no problem with it.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Lester also knows that Irons is a senior and he will be the front-runner to take over as leading man in Auburn&#39;s running game next season.<br> <br> Lester, who also returns kicks, has 31 carries for 160 yards. His two catches include a 34-yard touchdown against Washington State.<br> <br> ``Every time he gets in there, he tries to show what he can do,&#39;&#39; offensive coordinator Al Borges said. ``We&#39;ve just got to give him more opportunities. As good as Kenny is, we&#39;ve got two guys that can do something with the ball and we&#39;ve got to explore that.&#39;&#39;