AU's McIntyre goes from afterthought to playmaker

AUBURN, ALABAMA - When Auburn desperately needed a big play, Jeris McIntyre supplied two tackle-breaking touchdown catches against Vanderbilt.<br> <br> The Tigers haven&#39;t stopped calling on the senior receiver, who is making up for three seasons as an offensive afterthought and has emerged as the team&#39;s only consistent threat for the deep ball.<br> <br> ``I wanted to make this my best season,&#39;&#39; said McIntyre, who has already surpassed his three-year totals. ``I&#39;m not surprised. I knew I had the ability. It just feels great for me to get the opportunity to make plays.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Memo to McIntyre: Auburn (6-3, 4-1 Southeastern Conference) needs you to make the most of such chances when 20th-ranked Mississippi (7-2, 5-0) visits on Saturday. Ole Miss has excelled at stopping the run but is the league&#39;s worst defense against the pass, while the Tigers rank last in passing offense.<br> <br> McIntyre has easily been Auburn&#39;s most productive receiver. Sure, he&#39;s got nice hands, but his biggest asset has been what he&#39;s able to do after the catch.<br> <br> ``He does a great job of getting out of tackles,&#39;&#39; Auburn quarterback Jason Campbell said. ``We call him another running back.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> McIntyre&#39;s running ability has also prompted another nickname from his teammates: ``We call him David Boston Jr.,&#39;&#39; said Campbell, referring to the physical San Diego Chargers receiver.<br> <br> McIntyre comes by his running ability naturally. His father, Secdrick, rushed for 1,992 yards from 1973-76, 11th-best in Auburn history.<br> <br> The 6-foot, 198-pounder was a running back until his sophomore season at Catholic High School in Tampa, Fla. Then, he was switched to receiver, serving as a complement to current NFL player Darrell Jackson and another target for quarterback Kenny Kelly, who later played for the Miami Hurricanes.<br> <br> McIntyre caught 22 touchdown passes as a senior, including a 262-yard, four-touchdown performance in a playoff game. He had just 28 catches and one touchdown in his first three seasons with the Tigers.<br> <br> He&#39;s already got more yards (470) and TDS (three) than he did coming into the season, and has 27 catches.<br> <br> The Tigers hadn&#39;t scored a touchdown in their first two games when McIntyre shook off three Vanderbilt defenders to turn a screen play into a 31-yard touchdown. He had a 67-yard TD catch later in the game and has had several big plays since, mostly after breaking a tackle or two or three.<br> <br> ``Every time I get the ball, I want to stay low like a running back and get positive yards and get as far as I can downfield,&#39;&#39; said McIntyre, who has both of Auburn&#39;s 100-yard receiving efforts.<br> <br> McIntyre was an inside receiver for three seasons, but was switched to the outside with an opportunity for more big plays and less time spent blocking linebackers. He was seventh on the team with just 10 catches in 13 games last season.<br> <br> ``Ever since he got that opportunity to be the No. 1 receiver and make plays, that&#39;s what motivated him to do what he&#39;s doing right now,&#39;&#39; Campbell said.<br> <br> McIntyre said that experience helped make him a more physical receiver. Coach Tommy Tuberville also credits the receiver&#39;s upper body strength and balance.<br> <br> ``He does a good job of making that first guy miss after he catches it, and that&#39;s a big key when you&#39;re a receiver,&#39;&#39; Tuberville said.

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