Auburn's Burns hoping for more playing time
AUBURN, Ala. (AP) -- Not too long ago, No. 19 Auburn was a two-quarterback team.
The improved play of starter Brandon Cox ended that notion, but freshman Kodi Burns is hoping to finally get significant playing time again against heavy underdog Tennessee Tech on Saturday.
"It could go either way," Kodi Burns said, "but I'm pretty excited about it."
Kodi Burns, who started against New Mexico State, has attempted only one pass in his last five games and has run three times for 7 yards in the last three. He came onto the field once against Mississippi, was forced to call timeout with the play clock winding down, and didn't reappear.
"It was kind of hard after playing one game a lot, then it went down from there," Kodi Burns said. "I talked to my parents about it and they just said, "It's just a blessing you even got to play this year in the SEC."'
The early playing time cost him a chance to redshirt, but also gave Kodi Burns some experience heading into the spring, when he will vie for the starting job with Blake Field and Neil Caudle.
Offensive coordinator Al Borges said Kodi Burns' mastery of Auburn's offense has grown "significantly" despite his decreased playing time.
"He's getting a better and better understanding of what we want him to do," Borges said. "He can run some of the things that are not just shotgun quarterback runs. He's getting better and better at our whole offense every day. Smart kid. He's really got a good brain and he absorbs the concepts pretty well."
Will he play Saturday?
"We'll look at it and see how this game goes," coach Tommy Tuberville said.
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FANNIN'S ROLE:(at) Tailback Mario Fannin remains the odd man out in the backfield, but he's playing a different role. Fannin ran for 23 yards on a reverse and 14 yards on an end around while also catching a 27-yard pass against Mississippi, when he mostly lined up at receiver.
"Our plan at the beginning of the season with Mario was to use him in a similar capacity that we did with Ronnie Brown back in 2004," Borges said. Brown, however, also spent a lot more time in the backfield with Carnell Williams.
Fannin has less room for runs back there with Brad Lester and Ben Tate sharing time.
Borges said Fannin's offensive package could expand if he keeps handling it well. The redshirt freshman is just happy to be getting his chances, however they come.
"It's been fun. It's just giving the coaches more reasons to trust me as an athlete," Fannin said. "They're giving me the opportunity to play different positions and get the ball in my hands. It's a great opportunity."
Fannin spent some time working at receiver during his redshirt season, which has helped him adjust to his new role. He and Tate both have nine catches.
"It proves that I'm more versatile," Fannin said. "It's not just running the ball, I can also catch. That's something a lot of people look for. That's something these coaches look for."
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TIGER TALES:(at) The Tigers are the only Football Bowl Subdivision team to have held the halftime lead in every game this season. Auburn hasn't trailed at the half since last year's Georgia game. ... Auburn will try to keep its 15-game homecoming winning streak going. The average margin of victory in those games was 24 points.
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