Tigers try to forget last year’s loss

AUBURN - Gene Chizik said during his Tuesday press conference that he won't use last year's 36-0 loss to Alabama as motivation this week.

Judging from some players' reactions, the reminders aren't necessary.

"We don't talk about it that much, but we watched the video to kind of get us to remember that feeling from last year," linebacker Craig Stevens said. "We don't want to re-live it again.

"It was terrible, but so was the whole season, so it was just a bad way to end the season. So we're just trying to focus on just getting better and just not re-living that again."

Auburn trailed just 10-0 at halftime, but the Crimson Tide poured on a 26-point onslaught during the second half.

The Tigers threatened to score just once. Morgan Hull's 39-yard field goal attempt was blocked, though, keeping them off the board.

Wildcat triggerman Kodi Burns, who started the game at quarterback last year, said Auburn's offense didn't give the Tigers a chance in the game.

"All of last year was just a big mess," Burns said.

"So you think about it, but at the same time we really didn't give ourselves a chance, you know, running different offenses every game and everything being in total disarray, it was pretty difficult.

"You want to go into a game being aggressive, but we kind of took a more conservative approach toward the game."

Injured safety Zac Etheridge visited with the media Tuesday and, for the first time, acknowledged that returning to football isn't a certainty. Doctors have told Etheridge that his recovery is moving faster than expected and he is expected to make a full recovery.

"Football-wise, we don't know," Etheridge said. "Hopefully I'll be able to play again. I'm just taking it day by day. I'm just glad to be walking around and doing everything I'm doing right now."

The junior said he plans to return to classes after the Thanksgiving break and is still on pace to graduate in December.

In the meantime, he's contemplating what he will do if football is no longer an option.

"I sit around and I think a lot on what's next," Etheridge said. "I do want to coach. That's something I'd like to do after football if football don't work out."

Etheridge is still required to wear the neck cervical brace and will continue to do so for several more weeks.

Still, he plans to attend Friday's game against Alabama.

"In my career, this is the last time 'Bama will be here, so I'll definitely be out there be with the guys, just go out there be supportive," Etheridge said. "I can't wait for that."

Etheridge also said he appreciated a gesture from tailback Ben Tate two weeks ago. Tate, who is Etheridge's roommate, wore the No. 4

jersey during the Georgia game to honor his injured friend.

"It was uplifting. For him to think, I didn't even know he was doing it, for him to just think of that and showing support of me, we're roommates and stuff, it just helped out," Etheridge said. "It touched my parents and a lot of fans just to see him and what type of guy he is to wear my jersey."