Tigers finally getting another test

Posted 7:01PM on Tuesday 27th September 2005 ( 19 years ago )

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) The Auburn Tigers spent two weeks building depth and getting the backups game experience. Now, the Tigers can get back to the business of actually worrying about a game that not only counts in the Southeastern Conference race but also figures to be competitive when South Carolina visits on Saturday night. ``The last three games have not really been a factor, so to speak, on whether we needed to really improve,'' coach Tommy Tuberville said. ``We've found out a lot more about some of the players who we had question marks about.'' Auburn (3-1, 1-0 SEC) hasn't gotten much of a challenge since an opening loss to Georgia Tech, beating Mississippi State, Ball State and Western Kentucky by a combined 128-17. The starters have gotten plenty of rest in those games. That was either by design to give young backups some experience or because of injuries. Wide receiver Courtney Taylor hardly played the past two games because of an ankle, but thinks the team managed to improve in the past few weeks even without any significant challenge. ``I feel like we took a step forward in each of those games,'' said Taylor, who returned to practice Tuesday and expects to play. ``It was probably lesser competition but we still played Auburn football. I think we won games we were supposed to win and won convincingly.'' The game with South Carolina (2-2, 0-2) marks the end of a five-game home stretch and the final outing before an open date. It's only the second time Auburn has opened with five consecutive home games. The 1982 team played its first six games in Auburn. Tuberville said the past few games didn't shuffle the top of the depth chart but did give the coaches enough confidence to put some players listed as third-teamers into an SEC game. ``It's time to quit worrying about who's the best because we're almost in the middle of the season, and we've got to start playing as a team and play as a team concept instead of an individual concept,'' Tuberville said. He said quarterback Brandon Cox is recuperated from a stomach virus that sidelined him for the Western Kentucky game and will play against the Gamecocks. ``I'm glad he got it out of the way last week,'' Tuberville said. ``He went through a tough time. He's ready to go.'' TIGER TALES: Blake Field, who started in place of Cox, was named the SEC freshman of the week for his performance in the surprise start against Western Kentucky ... Tuberville said Matt Clark will handle kickoff duties against the Gamecocks. (Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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