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    Auburn Football Practice Report Tigers prepare to take on Kentucky in final practice of week
    Coach Chizik addresses players following practice Thursday

    Coach Chizik addresses players following practice Thursday

    Oct. 15, 2009

    AUBURN, Ala. - The Auburn football team held its final practice prior to Saturday's game against Kentucky, practicing for a little less than two hours at the practice fields behind the Athletics Complex as well as inside Watson Fieldhouse due to poor weather in the Auburn area.

    Thursday's workout was a situational practice in shorts and helmets with no contact, as the Tigers went over final preparations for Saturday's game. The squad went through every aspect of special teams and worked against the scout teams as well. Auburn will host the Wildcats in its fifth home contest of the season where the Tigers have compiled a 4-0 record in 2009.

    It will mark the 31st meeting between the two schools all-time, as Auburn holds a 24-5-1 advantage in the series and a 12-1 record in games played in Jordan-Hare Stadium. Kentucky has not beaten Auburn since 1966. The two sides last met on Nov. 5, 2005 in Lexington as the Tigers downed the Wildcats 49-27.

    Head Coach Gene Chizik spoke of Kentucky’s offense at Tuesday’s press conference. "They are really good up front,” said Chizik.

    “The tailbacks are very physical. They have got a good scheme. So, I think it is a combination of all that, so if you look at their offense they are balanced as good as you can be balanced when it comes to production. They have 167 yards a game throwing the ball and running the ball, which is as balanced as you can get. They are very physical and good at what they do.”

    The Wildcat’s rank third in the SEC in kickoff return average (26.7), fourth in punt return average (10.5) and share the SEC lead in having allowed only five sacks on the season. The Tigers will be forced to deal with a versatile threat in wide receiver Randall Cobb. The sophomore ranks in the SEC’s top 10 in receptions per game (2nd, 4.6), second in punt return average (10.5), fifth in all-purpose yards (130.8), sixth in receiving yards with (62), and 7th in scoring (7.2 points per game). Running back Derrick Locke leads the SEC and ranks 12th nationally in all-purpose yards with 169.6 per contest and is also a kickoff return threat with 32.1 yards per return.


     

     

    Defensively, linebacker Sam Maxwell leads the SEC and is 13th nationally in passes defended, averaging 1.4 per game. He also has two interceptions this season. Micah Johnson leads the team with 38 tackles and is second on the team with 3.5 tackles for a loss.

    Saturday’s game will kick off at 6:30 p.m. CT from Jordan-Hare Stadium. The game will be televised nationally by ESPNU with Eric Collins and Brock Huard on the call. Locally, the game can be heard on WKKR-FM (97.7) and on XM Satellite Radio Channel 200.

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