SEC helmet stickers: Week 2
September 13, 2009 2:42 AM
Posted by ESPN.com's Chris Low
With three conference games in the books, let’s pass out a few helmet stickers after Week 2 in the SEC:
Auburn coach Gene Chizik: Sure, the season is still young. But what about the start to the Chizik Era on the Plains. Auburn pounded Mississippi State 49-24 on Saturday night and rolled up nearly 600 yards of total offense. That’s right, the Tigers had 589 yards against the Bulldogs and now have 1,145 in two games. You gotta love how Chizik has handled Kodi Burns, too, and how Burns has responded. Burns ran for three touchdowns against Mississippi State and passed for another. Watch out for these Tigers. They could easily be 4-0 coming out of the month of September.
Auburn’s offensive line: In two games, the Tigers have rushed for 691 yards. That’s what you call getting it done up front. Ben Tate and Onterio McCalebb have both rushed for more than 100 yards in back-to-back weeks, which had never been done at a place where they breed great running backs until Saturday night. Props to Tate and McCalebb. They really complement each other well. But, again, you don’t run for that kind of yardage unless the big boys up front are doing some serious bulldozing of defensive linemen and linebackers. The Auburn offensive linemen never completely believed in what the Tigers were doing last season on offense. They obviously believe now.
Georgia cornerback Brandon Boykin: The Bulldogs had several players come up big for them in critical situations against South Carolina. But they’re staring down the barrel of an 0-2 start without Boykin. He established a school record with a 100-yard kickoff return for Georgia’s first touchdown and also set up the Bulldogs’ second touchdown with a 48-yard kickoff return. Just for good measure, Boykin intercepted a pass in the second quarter, the first turnover Georgia has forced this season, and the Bulldogs were able to turn that into a field goal.
Florida quarterback Tim Tebow: After a very unassuming start to the season, Tebow threw it into overdrive Saturday in Florida’s 56-6 trouncing of Troy. He matched his career high with four touchdown passes and also ran for a touchdown. He had 71 yards rushing on 13 carries, and as Florida coach Urban Meyer put it, got back to “playing like Timmy again.” Tebow now has 45 career rushing touchdowns, tying him for third with Carnell Williams on the SEC’s all-time list. The record is 49, held by Herschel Walker. Think that’s a record Tebow would like to break next week against Tennessee?
Alabama running back Trent Richardson: One thing’s for sure: we’re going to see a lot more of Richardson, who’s one of the most talented freshman running backs in the country. He helped the Crimson Tide break the game open against Florida International with touchdown runs of 35 and 9 yards. Richardson finished with 118 yards on 15 carries after playing at the tail end of the game against Virginia Tech in the opener. He’s got speed, size and great vision. He has also got a great future.
SEC, helmet stickers 091209, Gene Chizik
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