Freshman running back Onterio McCalebb has shot out of the gate and into Auburn history books after the conference opener Saturday.
McCalebb became the first freshman in Auburn history to rush for more than 100 yards in his first two career games.
He rushed for 157 yards on 16 carries against Mississippi State with an additional 81 yards on kick returns.
In his debut against Louisiana Tech, he rushed for 148 yards on 22 carries and was named SEC Freshman of the Week.
He was the first Auburn freshman to rush for more than 100 yards in a season opener since Bo Jackson in 1982.
McCalebb was also able to get a 48-yard touchdown run against Mississippi State, which was the longest single run of the night.
"I give all the credit to the offensive line," McCalebb said. "If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be able to get a single yard. They hit all their blocks for me, and I was able to get down the field."
After the 37-13 win over Louisiana Tech, Head Coach Gene Chizik said he was proud of McCalebb, and he thinks he has a chance to be a great football player at Auburn.
McCalebb's stepmother and younger brother were in the stands to see him score his first Auburn touchdown.
It hasn't always been football and smiles; his early years were anything but easy.
Growing up in Fort Meade, Fla., McCalebb said he remembers living in a trailer and periods without electricity and times where his mother couldn't afford food for he and his brothers.
He was taken from his mother in fourth grade because of her drug addiction and went back and forth between his grandmother and father.
McCalebb said he made a promise to himself that he would never do drugs.
He said he didn't want to end up like some of the kids at his high school who were good football players, but ended up on the streets after graduation.
That's why he turned down offers from schools in Florida.
McCalebb said he has dedicated his life to his mother since coming to Auburn, and he hopes to one day be able to provide for her.
"Without her, I wouldn't be doing this at all," McCalebb said.
Before coming to Auburn, he spent a semester in Hargrove Military Academy in Virginia. He entered Auburn in January 2009 and began spring workouts.
McCalebb said Chizik sat down and talked with him about his hardships. He said since coming to Auburn things have settled down.
Sophomore wide receiver Darvin Adams said McCalebb is focused on football and works hard for a lot of different reasons.
"He's only, like, 140 pounds, but he has the biggest heart a person can have," Adams said. "He's got his head on right."
McCalebb and senior quarterback Chris Todd have the chance to work together in the back field, and Todd said McCalebb has really stepped up for a freshman.
"He's brought a different wrinkle to our offense and we are able to do different things with him," Todd said. "It's really hard for a freshman to come in and make that big of an impact."
Auburn Athletic Director Jay Jacobs said he thinks McCalebb's accomplishments on the field are second to none.
"It was his first game and obviously he is a phenomenal athlete," Jacobs said. "Just look for bigger and better things from him."
McCalebb has credited his success to a reliable offensive line.
On his breakaway 48-yard touchdown run, the key block came from junior wide receiver Kodi Burns.
Burns said McCalebb is a special young player and is doing a good job staying humble.
"He's really hungry and wants to get on the field, learn more and has done a good job thus far," Burns said.
Fellow freshman, tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen said he understands the pressure McCalebb is going through with all the limits on his time, but said McCalebb deserves all the attention he has been getting.
"Whenever he gets the ball he is always a threat to score, and he works really hard," Lutzenkirchen said, who caught his first Auburn touchdown against Mississippi State.
McCalebb rose out of a difficult childhood and has emerged as a player who has the second most rushing yards in the SEC after his first two career games.
He said he just wants to play ball to the best of his abilities.
McCalebb said he is proud of his accomplishments on the field, but his favorite moment here at Auburn didn't come from a game.
He said what he has enjoyed most were the team functions before the school year and season kickoff.
Chizik took the whole team and all of the coaches to the movies and a water park.
"It was just like having a family, and I didn't really have a family growing up," McCalebb said. "It meant a lot to me."
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