Auburn offensive coordinator Al Borges ripped pages from the playbook when his starting quarterback didn't show up for work before Saturday's game against Western Kentucky.
Sunday, Borges happily filled his playbook back up.
Quarterback Brandon Cox declared himself recovered from the stomach virus that prevented him from playing in Auburn's 37-14 win, and said he's on track to play in Saturday's game against South Carolina in Jordan-Hare Stadium.
That puts Borges one up over the old ballcoach heading into Auburn's return to SEC play.
South Carolina head coach and offensive mastermind Steve Spurrier said Sunday he doesn't know if his starting quarterback, Blake Mitchell, will be recovered enough from an ankle sprain to play against the Tigers. But Spurrier knows this much: Mitchell left the game on crutches, was placed in a cast after the game and then a smaller one Sunday.
Spurrier says Mitchell won't practice today or Tuesday. Spurrier said he's hoping for a quick recovery.
Cox can show Mitchell how it's done. The virus that landed Cox in the emergency room during the first half Saturday was beaten back enough in the next hour that he showed up during the second half.
He didn't dress out or practice Sunday, but says he's fine.
So is Auburn's offense. The Tigers have scored on 15 of their last 19 possessions to help them improve to 3-1. South Carolina is 2-2.
Borges is back with more options, for while Auburn had no problem beating Western Kentucky with emergency starter Blake Field, it is Cox who knows the offense the best. Borges, who ordered seven running plays to start the game to allow Field to get accustomed to his surroundings, will allow Cox more leeway as the Tigers begin their run through the heart of their schedule.
Cox will be given more options to pass and to change plays at the line of scrimmage.
Spurrier is looking for someone to do that, too, but his options are thin. South Carolina's backup quarterback, Antonio Heffner, is not as multi-dimensional as Mitchell.
"Antonio has never really been a dropback passer," Spurrier said.
Sunday, Borges happily filled his playbook back up.
Quarterback Brandon Cox declared himself recovered from the stomach virus that prevented him from playing in Auburn's 37-14 win, and said he's on track to play in Saturday's game against South Carolina in Jordan-Hare Stadium.
That puts Borges one up over the old ballcoach heading into Auburn's return to SEC play.
South Carolina head coach and offensive mastermind Steve Spurrier said Sunday he doesn't know if his starting quarterback, Blake Mitchell, will be recovered enough from an ankle sprain to play against the Tigers. But Spurrier knows this much: Mitchell left the game on crutches, was placed in a cast after the game and then a smaller one Sunday.
Spurrier says Mitchell won't practice today or Tuesday. Spurrier said he's hoping for a quick recovery.
Cox can show Mitchell how it's done. The virus that landed Cox in the emergency room during the first half Saturday was beaten back enough in the next hour that he showed up during the second half.
He didn't dress out or practice Sunday, but says he's fine.
So is Auburn's offense. The Tigers have scored on 15 of their last 19 possessions to help them improve to 3-1. South Carolina is 2-2.
Borges is back with more options, for while Auburn had no problem beating Western Kentucky with emergency starter Blake Field, it is Cox who knows the offense the best. Borges, who ordered seven running plays to start the game to allow Field to get accustomed to his surroundings, will allow Cox more leeway as the Tigers begin their run through the heart of their schedule.
Cox will be given more options to pass and to change plays at the line of scrimmage.
Spurrier is looking for someone to do that, too, but his options are thin. South Carolina's backup quarterback, Antonio Heffner, is not as multi-dimensional as Mitchell.
"Antonio has never really been a dropback passer," Spurrier said.
