AUBURN FOOTBALL: Freshman Arkansas natives play important part in Tigers' turnaround
AUBURN -- Almost everything about playing in the Southeastern Conference is new to Lee Ziemba.
The 18-year-old offensive lineman said every day brings some kind of mental awakening. He learns more about blocking. Or how to get away with holding. Or how to deal with faster defenders.
Yet Ziemba, an Arkansas native, saw something familiar while watching film of the Razorbacks this week. They played Tennessee-Chattanooga in Little Rock last week.
"They showed the stadium I played my state championship game in. It brought back neat memories," said Ziemba, who grew up 20 miles from the UA campus in Fayetteville. "It's going to be neat."
He isn't the only one feeling that way.
Auburn scored a major recruiting coup during the winter, coaxing both Ziemba and quarterback Kodi Burns to sign despite playing high school ball in Arkansas. Both players were highly rated prospects.
Both were coveted by the Razorbacks.
Ziemba and Kodi Burns adapted quickly to college ball on the Plains. The 6-foot-5 tackle started the season-opening game against Kansas State and has watched his production soar in recent weeks.
Kodi Burns took on a featured role during senior Brandon Cox's early-season slump. He started the Mississippi State game. Though Kodi Burns is playing fewer snaps these days, he's still seeing time under center.
Signing with Auburn provided Kodi Burns exactly what he wanted -- a chance to contribute early in his career. Location wasn't an important issue.
"My parents were going to support whichever (school) I picked. They wanted me to get out the state and experience something besides Arkansas," Kodi Burns said. "I think emotions will play a factor (on Saturday), but through preparation and practice and repetition, that shouldn't be a problem."
Ziemba was more of an Arkansas fan during adolescence. He has attended approximately 15 games, which helped him form a loyalty toward the school and its football program.
It wasn't a particularly strong loyalty.
Ziemba's parents attended Auburn, though, and remained interested in the Tigers' efforts. His home wasn't a haven for Arkansas adoration.
After Ziemba signed with Auburn, his parents pledged to attend as many games as possible. They're been perfect so far -- even flying to Gainesville, Fla., to witness the Tigers' 20-17 win against the Gators.
Travel time will be cut significantly this weekend.
"They're just going down the street," he said. "They're excited about that."
Both players will get a chance to show Arkansas what it missed. Ziemba has played nearly every snap at right tackle this season, and will continue that string tonight. It'll be business as usual.
Things could be changing for Kodi Burns. Offensive coordinator Al Borges' play-calling has been surprisingly straightforward with the freshman quarterback in the game. Kodi Burns has spent most of his time simply taking the snap and running directly toward the line of scrimmage.
That's all part of the deception, he said.
"Borges is a tremendously smart offensive coordinator, so I'm never going to question his play-calling. Going in, it seems like its Kodi left, Kodi right or Kodi up the middle," Kodi Burns said. "What he has me doing is for a reason -- to set up other things."
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