Cox shines in Auburn spring game

Posted 6:02PM on Saturday 19th March 2005 ( 20 years ago )

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) Sophomore Brandon Cox was the clear leader in the race to be Auburn's starting quarterback next season after Saturday's low-scoring spring game. But whether Cox and the rest of Auburn's offense will be able to put points on the scoreboard remains to be seen, as the Tigers try to replace last year's offensive stars, quarterback Jason Campbell and running backs Ronnie Brown and Carnell Williams. A crowd of 35,600 showed up at Jordan-Hare Stadium on a cool, windy day to watch the spring game, played with referees and like a real game, except kicks could not be run back. The Tigers are trying to reload this spring after winning the Southeastern Conference and finishing No. 2 in the country last season. Cox quarterbacked the Blue team to a 9-0 win over the White team as he completed 13 of 22 passes for 226 yards in a game in which neither squad could get in the end zone. The only scoring came on three John Vaughn field goals. Asked if Cox, named offensive player of the game, had established himself as the leading contender to replace Campbell as starting quarterback, head coach Tommy Tuberville said, ``Oh yeah, everybody can see that. He knows the offense. He's got a good arm and he makes good decisions when he gets out of the pocket.'' Many of Cox's completions came as he scrambled to avoid the rush and find an open receiver. His favorite target was Courtney Taylor, who caught three passes for 65 yards. ``Overall I felt I did well,'' Cox said. ``I was comfortable throwing the ball. The downside was that we didn't score. I'd like to have put it in the end zone.'' Auburn's defense picked up where it left off last season, mostly dominating the Tiger offense. Auburn's Blue team was held to 289 total yards, while the White team had 134 yards in offense. Almost half of the White team's offense came on a 57-yard pass from Calvin Booker to Charles Olatunji in the game's final minutes. Booker completed 4 of 12 passes for 57 yards. ``We haven't blocked a defensive end yet,'' Tuberville said, praising the Tigers' defense. ``I think other people are going to have problems with them too.'' One of those defensive ends, Stanley McClover, was credited with sacking Cox three times, though quarterbacks wore orange jerseys and were not allowed to be tackled. He was named defensive player of the game. ``That was just a taste of what we can do,'' said McClover of the defensive effort. He said he was particularly proud of the times he reached the quarterback. ``Defensive linemen dream of getting sacks,'' McClover said. ``I think we've got a lot of potential to be a great defense. We've just got to stay humble.'' Vaughn was named special teams player of the game after kicking two 46-yard field goals and hitting one from 22 yards. He missed a 45-yarder that fell just short of the goal post. ``It was a good way to start off,'' Vaughn said. He said he didn't get quite enough leg into the one he missed: ``I've still got a lot of stuff to work on to get better.'' Junior Kenny Irons, who transferred to Auburn from South Carolina, had the best day among running backs seeking to replace Brown and Williams. Irons rushed 18 times for 73 yards, running for both the Blue and White teams. Carl Stewart rushed 13 times for 41 yards and Tre Smith had 34 yards on eight carries. (Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

http://accesswdun.com/article/2005/3/138410