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(05/17/14 6:19pm)
It may be the offseason, but that hasn't stopped controversy from finding its way to the Auburn football program.
Confusion and ridicule were abound on social media Thursday as wording on Auburn athletics' official website supposedly indicated that Auburn was claiming three more national championships, in addition to the two (1957, 2010) that it had previously claimed.
In a statement made available to The Auburn Plainsman Saturday afternoon, Auburn athletics director Jay Jacobs clarified the situation, stating that no national championships had been formally claimed and that the issue was still up for discussion amongst the Auburn Family.
"Information shared across social media platforms is often inaccurate or incomplete. To the subject of National Champions, the NCAA record book has Auburn documented as National Champions in 2010, 1993, 1983, 1957 and 1913 (Source: NCAA Record Book). While Auburn does not currently formally recognize additional national champions other than 1957 and 2010, the subject of doing so is still open for consideration and discussion among the Auburn Family regarding how we choose to recognize the great accomplishments of our student athletes. That being said, Auburn will never claim anything we did not earn. To that, the discussion is based solely on how to formally acknowledge the honor and National Champion distinction that has been previously documented and bestowed upon these teams in the NCAA Record Book."
Here is the statement from the Auburn athletics' website:
"The NCAA recognizes Auburn as National Champions in 2010, 1993, 1983, 1957 and 1913."
Though it is not the clearest wording, Auburn has not formally claimed national championships in 1993, 1983 and 1913; it is merely pointing out that the FBS record book recognizes Auburn was selected as national champion in those years by various services.
Auburn's 1913 team, which went 8-0, was selected as national champion retroactively by the Billingsley computer formula.
The 1983 team, which controversially finished No. 3 in the Associated Press rankings after going 11-1 and winning the Sugar Bowl, was selected by The New York Times as national champion and then retroactively selected by the Billingsley and Sagarin computer formulas, among others.
Auburn's 1993 team, which went undefeated but was ineligible for postseason play due to NCAA probation, was retroactively selected as a split-national champion by the National Championship Foundation.
Retroactively claiming national championships is nothing new in the college football world.
Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Alabama and USC have all retroactively added championships to their record books in recent seasons.
College football's murky and disorganized early years have made it relatively easy for programs to retroactively claim titles.
The lack of a central body to select a national champion meant individual organizations could select their own champions, even if they differed from the champions selected by other organizations.
"What you don't want to do is make somebody think you're making something up," Jacobs told Kevin Scarbinsky of al.com. "But if other schools are claiming their championships, why shouldn't we claim ours?"
Jacobs has made his feelings clear about how he thinks Auburn should handle the issue.
"I think we should go back and claim them," Jacobs said. "I think we should count our national championships just as our peers do."
For Jacobs, it's a matter of respecting and honoring the accomplishments of the top teams in Auburn football history.
"We're so competitive. We compare ourselves to other schools," Jacobs told Bryan Matthews of 247sports. "If they're counting something that we're not counting, and we're on equal footing, wouldn't it be wise to count it?"
(05/17/14 3:10am)
Auburn has played 55 games of its 56 game schedule this season, but their postseason aspirations may ride on the outcome of one last contest.
Another blowout loss to LSU, this time 11-3 on Friday night at Plainsman Park, has the Auburn baseball team (28-27, 10-19 SEC) backed into a must-win situation during Saturday's regular season finale.
"It's been pretty crazy how this year has ended up," senior Ryan Tella said. "It just amazes me and the rest of the team that we still have something to play for on the last game of the season. It's kind of ironic."
The Tigers may be in a must-win situation, but that doesn't mean they control their own destiny. Auburn would still need either Florida or Kentucky to record wins over Tennessee and Georgia to leapfrog into one of the final SEC Tournament slots.
The Gators and Wildcats have thus far kept Auburn's aspirations alive with a combined 4-0 record over the Volunteers and Bulldogs this week.
"We have teams in our league that are playing for so much as far as the NCAA Tournament," Golloway said. "They want to host or be a national seed. It's given us an opportunity going into the last day of the year, which is pretty amazing."
Auburn starter Michael O'Neal held his own through the first three innings Friday night, but a five-run fourth, which was led off by a first-pitch home run by LSU's Sean McMullen, quickly chased the senior starter.
"Michael mixed really well for three innings," Golloway said. "I thought he did a good job of keeping them off balance, but when the home run left the yard it changed him a little bit. That's kind of been what we've been concerned with all year."
Five more runs in the top of the sixth extended LSU's lead to 11-0, which was more than enough for LSU ace Aaron Nola.
Nola threw seven innings of one-run ball Friday night, striking out nine and allowing just five hits along the way. The senior moved into third place on LSU's career strikeout list Friday night.
With his team's backs against the wall, Golloway didn't rule out the idea of bringing back senior starter Dillon Ortman (9-4, 2.53 ERA), who was shelled by LSU for six runs in just two innings Thursday night.
"He wants the ball, he wants to start, but I want to be cautiously optimistic about that because we don't want to jeopardize his opportunities at the next level," Golloway said. "We definitely didn't plan to start him two of the three days."
Though his team is not in the position he envisioned it would be early in the season, Golloway said he hoped the Tigers' seniors would be ready to go in their final game at Hitchcock Field.
"It'll be fun on Senior Day for the seniors to know they are playing for something potentially," Golloway said. "We backed into that situation, we haven't earned it, but it is what it is."
The opportunity to extend their Auburn careers has presented itself, and Tella said he fully expected his team to step up to the challenge.
"Once we band together as a team as brothers, we're pretty deadly," Tella said. "When we think that it's the end of our road or that our backs are against the wall, we're going to come out and fight."
First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
(05/16/14 2:16am)
Time is running out for Sunny Golloway and the Auburn baseball team to salvage what's left of their regular season and postseason aspirations.
Just two games remain for Auburn after Thursday night's 10-0 beat down at the hands of No. 8 LSU in Plainsman Park.
"We had to try to create some momentum, and we didn't, so we are where we are right now," Golloway said.
Auburn was in trouble from the very beginning Thursday, as the Bayou Bengals jumped on Auburn ace Dillon Ortman (9-4) for three runs in the top of the first.
Three more in the third and the senior was finished, throwing just two innings and giving up seven hits and six earned runs. It was his shortest outing of the season.
"(Ortman) just didn't have it tonight," Golloway said. "They lit him up pretty good so you have to give those guys credit."
LSU tacked on two more in the sixth and the ninth to finish their scoring while the punch-less Tigers scuffled with just four hits over nine innings.
After the game, Golloway couldn't put his finger on exactly what was ailing his current roster of players.
"I don't know exactly what it is, but it just hasn't been there," Golloway said. "We've had pressure all along and not responded. Our backs have been against the wall for a long time, so I don't see it being any different."
Auburn will need to win at least one of its final two games to have a chance at making the SEC Tournament, but the road to Hoover, Alabama won't get any easier on Friday night as the LSU Tigers put their ace Aaron Nola on the mound.
"The guy is one of the very best in the country," Golloway said. "It's no more pressure than what we've had, honestly, since halfway through the SEC conference."
First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday night at Plainsman Park. Michael O'Neal is the scheduled starter to oppose LSU's Nola.
(05/14/14 3:46am)
Up until the ninth inning, it'd mostly been a forgettable night for Auburn's leading hitter Jordan Ebert.
But then came the bottom of the ninth, where the Tigers (28-25) had the bases loaded and two away for their sophomore, who was 0-for-3 heading into the at-bat.
"I could just see myself hitting a dang gap shot and scoring the winning run," Ebert said. "I just really wanted to walk it off."
A first-pitch ball, however, from UAB reliever Turner Lee gave reason for Auburn head coach Sonny Golloway to rein in his free swinger.
Three pitches and three take signs later, Ebert was on his way to first and Auburn had clinched a mid-week 6-5 victory over the in-state Blazers (34-17).
"I haven't done (a walk-off) here and it's one of those things that's just really special," Ebert said. "For me, I don't walk very much so him giving me take probably helped me out some."
For a team actively battling for its postseason life through injuries and misfortune, Golloway said it was about time his squad had a break go its way.
"Our seniors have had a tough go this year and they've shown a lot of character," Golloway said. "I've never seen so many breaks go against them."
With a SEC Tournament berth on the line during this weekend's series with the LSU Tigers, Golloway said he hopes this can boost his team's confidence and momentum.
"In the seventh inning I told them we just have to hold them right there and we're about due for a walk-off," Golloway said. "Somebody said 'What about scoring five right now?' But that just would've been boring. We needed some momentum going into this weekend."
Auburn scattered ten hits through nine innings Tuesday night, with center fielder Sam Gillikin providing an offensive spark at the bottom of the lineup, going 2-for-3 with two doubles and a RBI.
Six Tigers took the mound against UAB, with Reid Carter and Trey Cochran-Gill each stranding key UAB runners in the third and seventh inning respectively.
Auburn currently is a half-game behind Georgia and one full-game behind Tennessee in the race for the final spot in the SEC Tournament, which will take place in Hoover, Ala. from May 20-25.
Their backs may be against the wall heading into the weekend series with LSU, but Golloway said he knows his team will keep fighting, no matter the odds.
"We've got to fight tooth and nail this weekend and it's going to be Senior Day this weekend so let's hope the breaks go our way this weekend," Golloway said. "I hope things fall the way these kids deserve."
(05/11/14 3:38am)
A desperate Auburn baseball team grabbed a much-needed 8-1 win Saturday night in Lexington, Ky. to even the weekend series against the Wildcats.
The Tigers exploded for a SEC season-high eight runs to keep themselves alive in the fight for the final spot in the upcoming SEC Tournament. Auburn is currently a half-game behind Georgia for the final spot and a full game behind Kentucky and Tennessee.
The Tigers hold the tiebreaker over both the Wildcats and the Volunteers.
Senior pitcher Dillon Ortman (9-3) went seven innings for the Tigers, allowing seven hits, four walks and just one earned run. The win keeps Ortman tied for the SEC lead in victories.
Auburn grabbed a run in each of the first two innings, then broke out in a four-run third inning that proved to be too much for the Wildcats to overcome.
Senior second baseman Dan Glevenyak had one of his most productive games on the season, driving in a season-high three RBIs, including a two-RBI single in the fourth that gave the Tigers a 6-0 lead.
The Tigers would add another run in the fifth and sixth innings, which was more than enough for the consistent Ortman.
Batting out of the nine-hole, Glevenyak went 3-for-5 with three RBIs while the top two hitters in Auburn's lineup, Anfernee Grier and Damon Haecker, were also 3-for-5 on the night.
Relievers Jay Wade and Trey Cochran-Gill both pitched scoreless innings in relief of Ortman.
Auburn will go for the series win Sunday behind freshman starter Keegan Thompson. First pitch from Cliff Hagan Stadium in Lexington is scheduled for 1 p.m.
(05/11/14 1:41am)
In addition to the drafted Greg Robinson, Dee Ford, Tre Mason and Jay Prosch, a number of former Auburn Tigers found NFL homes by signing undrafted free-agent contracts with teams shortly after the completion of the draft.
Among the early signees were former defensive lineman Nosa Eguae with the Atlanta Falcons and former defensive backs Ryan Smith and Ryan White, who signed undrafted free-agent contracts with the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers respectively.
Per his agent, Iron Bowl hero Chris Davis signed an undrafted free-agent deal with the San Diego Chargers shortly after the completion of the draft.
A complete list of former Tigers who signed undrafted free-agent deals can be found below:
DL Kenneth Carter - Kansas City Chiefs
P Steven Clark - Denver Broncos
DB Chris Davis - San Diego Chargers
DL Nosa Eguae - Atlanta Falcons
LB Jake Holland - Atlanta Falcons (invited to rookie minicamp)
DB Demetruce McNeal - Green Bay Packers
K Cody Parkey - Indianapolis Colts
DB Ryan Smith - Dallas Cowboys
DB Ryan White - Green Bay Packers
Former Tigers Jeffrey Whitaker, Craig Sanders and Blake Poole were all draft eligible, but were not selected and have yet to sign undrafted free-agent contracts.
Four fellow Tigers heard their names called over the three days of the 2014 NFL Draft:
OL Greg Robinson - St. Louis Rams (first round, No. 2 overall)
DE Dee Ford - Kansas City Chiefs (first round, No. 23 overall)
RB Tre Mason - St. Louis Rams (third round, No. 75 overall)
FB Jay Prosch - Houston Texans (sixth round, No. 211 overall)
Source: Brandon Marcello, Alabama Media Group (@bmarcello)
(05/08/14 11:30pm)
With the 211th overall pick (sixth round) of the 2014 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans selected former Auburn fullback Jay Prosch.
The former two-star recruit is the first Auburn fullback to be drafted since Heath Evans was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round of the 2001 NFL Draft.
Prosch started 11 games at H-back for the Tigers in 2013 and is the first fullback to be taken in this year's draft.
Houston's roster currently lists only one other fullback: former Alabama Crimson Tide tight end Brad Smelley.
Tre Mason finally found a NFL home in St. Louis late Friday night.
With the 75th pick in the third round, the Rams selected Auburn running back Tre Mason, who will join first-rounder and second overall pick Greg Robinson in St. Louis.
Mason, a Heisman finalist in 2013, racked up 1,816 yards and 23 touchdowns on the ground this past season, breaking Bo Jackson's single-season rushing record along the way.
Mason and Robinson will join former Auburn players Daren Bates and Emory Blake on the Rams' roster.
With the second pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the St. Louis Rams selected Auburn offensive tackle Greg Robinson Thursday night.
Robinson, a junior who declared early for the draft, helped lead Auburn to the 2013 BCS Championship game, the 2013 SEC Championship and was named AP first team All-SEC.
In 2013, Robinson helped Auburn break program records in rushing yards (4,596) and rushing touchdowns (48).
Robinson is Auburn's first first-round pick since quarterback Cameron Newton was selected No. 1 overall by the Carolina Panthers in 2011.
Robinson's selection with the second pick makes the Louisiana native the highest selected Auburn offensive lineman in the history of the NFL Draft. Former lineman Ken Rice was selected with the No. 8 selection in 1961 by the St. Louis Cardinals.
Defensive end Dee Ford was selected with the 23rd overall pick in the first round Thursday night by the Kansas City Chiefs.
Ford missed the first two games of the 2013 season, but he collected 29 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks over the final 12 games of the season.
Ford is the first Auburn defensive lineman to be selected in the first round of the draft since Nick Fairley was selected by the Detroit Lions with the 13th overall pick in 2011.
(05/07/14 5:45pm)
Fourteen former Auburn Tigers will be anxiously waiting to hear their name called Thursday, May 8 as the 2014 NFL Draft kicks off from the Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
Offensive lineman Greg Robinson is widely considered to be one of the top prospects in this year's draft, with many draft experts considering the Louisiana native to be a Top-5 overall pick.
Defensive end Dee Ford has also been projected as a potential first round draft pick.
Ford missed the first two games of the 2013 season, but he collected 29 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks over the final 12 games of the season.
Running back Tre Mason is considered to be one of the top backs in this year's draft class. Many draft experts have the reigning SEC Offensive Player of the Year being selected on the first or second day of the draft.
Mason, a Heisman finalist in 2013, racked up 1,816 yards and 23 touchdowns on the ground this past season, breaking Bo Jackson's single-season rushing record along the way.
Iron Bowl hero Chris Davis is currently projected by NFL.com as a sixth or seventh-round draft choice.
Despite zero career interceptions, this cornerback has intrigued scouts with his physicality in run support and his well-documented return skills.
Punter Steven Clark, kicker Cody Parkey and fullback Jay Prosch are all rated as borderline seventh-round prospects by NFL.com.
A full list of Auburn athletes eligible for this year's draft is available below:
Ken Carter DT 6'3" 290
Steven Clark PT 6'5\0x215C" 231
Chris Davis CB 5'9\0x215E" 202
Nosa Eguae DE 6'2\0xBE" 281
Dee Ford DE 6'2\0x215B" 244
Jake Holland ILB 5'11\0x215E" 237
Tre Mason RB 5'8\0xBD" 207
Demetruce Mcneal S 6'0\0x215C" 188
Cody Parkey K 6'0\0xBC" 189
Blake Poole CB 5'10\0x215C" 183
Jay Prosch FB 6'0\0xBE" 256
Greg Robinson OT 6'5" 332
Craig Sanders DE 6'3\0xBD" 243
Ryan Smith S 6'0" 192
Jeff Whitaker DT 6'2\0xBE" 305
Ryan White CB 5'10\0xBC" 197
(05/06/14 8:44pm)
Auburn offensive lineman Shon Coleman is becoming very familiar with taking the stage in the month of May.
Just a few days after crossing a stage to receive his degree in public administration, Coleman took the stage Thursday night at the NFL Draft to announce the selection of Aaron Donald as the thirteenth overall pick to the St. Louis Rams.
Coleman, a former top prospect from Mississippi who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2010, is in New York for the occasion thanks to an agreement between the NFL and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Coleman's disease went into remission in April of 2010. He enrolled in classes in January 2011 and made his Auburn football debut in September of 2013 against Arkansas State.
While he plans to enroll in graduate courses, the sophomore is now in a position battle with Patrick Miller to take over Greg Robinson's starting role at left tackle.
This is the second consecutive year the NFL and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have cooperated to announce a draft pick. 13-year-old Markell Gregoire announced the 15th overall pick in 2013.
(05/03/14 11:00pm)
Auburn softball's six-game winning streak came to an end Saturday afternoon after a 7-4 loss at South Carolina.
The Tigers (38-15-1, 11-12 SEC) jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the second inning, but the Gamecocks exploded for five runs in the bottom of the third inning.
Chelsea Hawkins and Sarah Mooney connected for back-to-back home runs in the third, with Hawkins' grand slam accounting for four of South Carolina's runs in the inning.
Gipson drove in another run for the Tigers in the top of the fourth, but the Gamecocks extended their lead to 7-2 in the bottom half of the inning, a deficit the Tigers were never able to overcome.
Marcy Harper took the loss for Auburn after giving up seven earned runs on six hits in six innings of work.
Auburn struck out just once on the afternoon, but Emily Carosone, Kasey Cooper, Branndi Melero and Morgan Estell, the Tigers' first four batters, went just 2-of-13 for the game.
The Tigers will look to win the series Sunday in the regular season finale from Columbia, S.C. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m.
(05/02/14 8:36pm)
The soil at Auburn's iconic Toomer's Corner is officially poison-free for the first time since Harvey Updyke initially poisoned the grounds in December of 2010.
A memo provided to Auburn University's facilities management department said the soil is contaminant-free, meaning the site is now clear for redevelopment with new transplanted trees.
Initial testing in January 2011 revealed tebuthiuron, an ingredient in Spike80DF herbicide, levels to be as high as 51,700 parts per billion in the soil surrounding the historic Toomer's Oaks.
The historic trees were removed from the site on April 23, 2013.
While testing in October 2013 revealed the presence of detectable tebuthiuron amounts, the most recent survey conducted in April of 2014 reported the highest tebuthiuron levels to be no greater than one part per billion at the site.
A water drainage system and a liner are expected to be installed to prevent further contamination of the site.
With the site now cleared of herbicide, a redevelopment project of Toomer's Corner, which will include transplanting trees to the site, is expected to move forward.
The project is estimated to cost between $1.2 million and $2 million, according to Brandon Marcello of al.com.
(04/26/14 8:44pm)
The Auburn softball team won its fourth consecutive game Saturday afternoon 6-0 over Texas A&M behind a complete game shutout from sophomore pitcher Marcy Harper.
Less than 24 hours after Branndi Melero opened the series with a walk-off home run, Harper threw seven scoreless innings, striking out four and allowing the Aggies (31-19, 9-14 SEC) to collect just three hits.
Kasey Cooper, who hit a grand slam to tie Friday night's game in the seventh, opened the scoring for the Tigers (36-14-1, 9-11 SEC) with a solo home run in the first inning.
After Harper worked out of a bases loaded jam in the second inning, Melero and McKenzie Kilpatric drove in three more Auburn runners, providing more than enough insurance for the dominant Harper.
Emily Carosone, Cooper and Melero, the top three batters in Auburn's lineup, combined to record six of the Tigers' nine hits, with Melero driving in two RBIs on the afternoon.
The Tigers will go for a sweep of Texas A&M Sunday during their home finale at Jane B. Moore Field. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
(04/26/14 5:05pm)
Before there was Chris Davis and "Kick, Bama, Kick," there was David Langner and "Punt, Bama, Punt."
Langner, a defensive back who returned two blocked punts for touchdowns and intercepted a pass during Auburn's 17-16 victory over Alabama in the 1972 Iron Bowl, died early Saturday morning, according to multiple reports.
Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs confirmed Langner's passing on Twitter Saturday morning and told Mike Szvetitz of the Opelika-Auburn News that Langner had been battling cancer.
Jacobs tweeted that Langner was a "great man and great player" and said his passing was "our loss, heaven's gain today."
"I'm saddened by the passing of David Langner, who was not only an Auburn legend but a great man," Auburn head football coach Gus Malzahn said in a statement. "On behalf of the entire Auburn football program, our thoughts and prayers are with David's family and friends."
The Woodlawn High School graduate was a defensive back for Auburn from 1971 to 1973, but his most memorable game took place in his hometown of Birmingham during a December matchup against undefeated Alabama.
Trailing 16-3 with less than 10 minutes remaining, Auburn's Bill Newton blocked two consecutive Alabama punts and Langner returned them both for touchdowns to give the Tigers a 17-16 lead.
A late Crimson Tide comeback bid was ended when Langner came up with an interception that sealed the victory.
Langner, who worked in the car business in Tuscaloosa after his playing career according to Szvetitz, was an All-SEC performer in 1973.
(04/25/14 10:30pm)
This week's happenings in Auburn sports.
(04/25/14 5:15pm)
From the hardwood of the Staples Center to the divided borders of the Korean Peninsula, Chuck Person's basketball career has literally taken him across the globe.
But for the former Auburn small forward, there wasn't much decision to be made when new head coach Bruce Pearl came calling with a job offer.
"I know with 100 percent certainty that I wouldn't have gone anywhere else in college but Auburn," Person said. "I've been in the pros for so long, so I was kind of institutionalized when it comes to being in the pro game. Coming back home was a no-brainer for me. No job in the NBA would've trumped this."
Playing under revered Auburn head coach Sonny Smith during the mid-1980's, Person led the Tigers to their lone SEC Tournament championship in 1985 and an Elite Eight appearance in 1986.
After a 14-year NBA playing career that led to a coaching gig with the Los Angeles Lakers under Phil Jackson, Person's journey back to the Plains made sense for him considering the program's recent struggles.
According to Person, "basketball is basketball" no matter what level it is coached at, but coming to the college ranks has provided Person with a fresh challenge.
"The difference with college is obviously the recruiting part," Person said. "You have to go out and get your own players as opposed to the pros where they bring them to you."
Surrounded by veteran college coaches in Bruce Pearl, Tony Jones and the newly-hired Harris Adler, Person has used his first few weeks on the job in Auburn to learn the ins-and-outs of recruiting.
"They're used to me asking a lot of questions every day and I will continue doing that because once you feel like you know it all you can't grow," Person said. "I'm the type of person that I feel like every day I have to get better."
Person isn't just concerned with learning about recruiting, though. He's made it clear that he plans to finally earn his degree, nearly 30 years after he left Auburn without one.
"I need to get one for my own personal well-being," Person said. "Also in recruiting, our projected student-athletes can look and see that I put the time in to come back and get my degree, but that path is not necessarily the best path."
Though the well-traveled Person is happy to have settled back down in Auburn, his experiences coaching abroad in South Korea this past year have given him ideas for what may be next after his time on the Plains is up.
"I really enjoyed it, and I probably would've stayed over there if not for Coach Pearl offering me this job," Person said. "One day, when this is all said and done, and we've won big here at Auburn and done the things we need to do championship-wise, maybe I'll go back."
(02/25/15 6:06pm)
Life as a highly touted basketball prospect opens many athletes up to scrutiny from the outside world, even from those who don't know the athlete's entire story.
Such has been the case for No. 1 JUCO recruit Cinmeon Bowers, who announced last week that he would be Bruce Pearl's first commitment as Auburn head coach.
The bruising 6-foot-6, 240- pound forward from Racine, Wisc. has battled through a variety of incidents on his journey to the Plains, all the while trying to shake a nagging public perception that he is somehow a "thug."
"It's been a rough road," Bowers said. "If you believe in God, though, anything is possible."
Bowers' high school basketball career started in Racine, but he soon transferred to Rufus King International School in Milwaukee, one of the top public schools in Wisconsin.
It also became the site of his first "bad experience."
"They tried to rob me," Bowers said. "You know, Milwaukee is rough, and they tried to rob me while I was sitting in the front seat of a car. My friend, he pulled off as they were opening my door, and they just started shooting."
Outside of his very own high school, Bowers was hit twice in the leg that snowy day, a moment that derailed a promising high school career that had already garnered interest from Memphis, UConn and Louisville.
"It's scary to think about," Bowers said. "I thought my career was over. I just believed in God, and then I got back in school."
The long recovery from the shooting alongside lingering academic eligibility issues forced Bowers down a different path to collegiate basketball.
"I kept going to rehab, so I could keep getting stronger," Bowers said. "I tried my luck with JUCO, and it's worked out."
The detour led Bowers 973 miles from Racine, to the small town of Marianna, Fla. and Chipola Junior College.
Now, fully recovered from his wounds, Bowers took on a starring role for the Indians of Chipola, averaging 12.9 points and leading his team with 8.9 rebounds per game on the way to a NJCAA Quarterfinal appearance.
Bowers' performances quickly caught the attention of scouts from across the nation. He was widely considered one of the top JUCO prospects in the nation, with some services even ranking the forward first overall.
Offers flooded in from the nation's top basketball schools, like Louisville and Memphis.
Bowers seemed set to join Florida State in 2014, but he was arrested in January of 2013 on charges of tampering with evidence when police accused him of concealing marijuana by eating the substance during a traffic stop.
"They didn't have any evidence," Bowers said. "That's why they eventually dropped it all the way, no charges at all."
All charges stemming from the incident were dropped, but Bowers was soon released from his letter of intent at FSU.
Though he's never been charged with a crime, Bowers worried that his image had been tarnished by the events of his past.
"People already think I'm a thug, but I'm not a thug," Bowers said. "With the way I play on the court, people think that, but I'm just aggressive, and I play with passion."
Bowers, who has a 3-year-old daughter, said those who still consider him a "thug" don't understand that his passion on the court serves a different goal off the court.
"I have a daughter, and she's three years old, so how could I be a thug when I have a daughter?" Bowers said. "I have to pay the debts for her. That's the only reason I'm really doing this for her. She made me grow up a lot."
Through it all, Bowers' mentor and former AAU coach Duane Wilson Sr., has provided guidance to the young forward. Their relationship eventually helped Bowers land a Division I home at Auburn University.
"[Auburn assistant coach] Tony Jones had good connections with my AAU coach, and he was kind of my mentor, so I thought it would be a good idea for me," Bowers said.
With Auburn set as the next destination on his journey, Bowers said he wants to the public's perception of him while rebuilding his new school's basketball program.
"I want to get Auburn back to rolling like it was," Bowers said. "It's not even about me. Of course I want to make sure I'm straight, but at the end of the day, I just want to win. That's what it's all about."
(04/19/14 11:31pm)
Gus Malzahn and his staff have made it a point of emphasis this offseason to become more balanced offensively in preparation for the 2014 season.
The performance of Nick Marshall and his stable of wide receivers during Saturday's A-Day game showed the potential impact that the Tigers' passing game can have upon the SEC this fall.
"Our emphasis was obviously throwing the football," Malzahn said. "That's been one of our main points offensively this spring was to get our guys throwing and catching the ball in front of a crowd."
Auburn's running game was second to none in 2013, but the progression of Marshall, who threw for 236 yards and four touchdowns Saturday, means the aerial route may become more of a focal point in the offense moving forward.
"I am a way better passer than last year," Marshall said. "I took note of all the little things and what the coaches told me and put it towards my progress. I just focus on putting the ball in a place where my receivers can catch it and make a play on the ball."
Malzahn said an important part of Marshall's progression was that he went through spring practice this year, something that benefited the senior on the field and in the locker room.
"He earned the respect of his teammates last year, but now he has a chance to go through spring," Malzahn said. "Nick is more of a leader by example. He does not say a lot, but when he does they listen."
Sammie Coates' one-handed touchdown grab in the second quarter showed the pair still have a connection from last year, but JUCO transfer D'haquille Williams' 88 yards and a touchdown proved the Tigers may have their hands upon yet another dangerous aerial threat.
"He is just an awesome kid to have on your team," Marshall said. "He is one of those receivers who you just put it in his sight and he will come down with the catch for you."
It wasn't just newcomers who made an impact during Saturday's game, either.
Senior receiver Quan Bray had 89 receiving yards and two touchdowns, while sophomore Tony Stevens tallied 58 receiving yards and two touchdowns as well.
"We have a lot of guys that are veterans and go out every day to work on our craft," Bray said. "We're working on our releases and we just harp on Coach (Dameyune) Craig telling us this is your craft."
With Ricardo Louis, Marcus Davis, C.J. Uzomah and Melvin Ray also pushing for playing time, there likely won't be a shortage of options for Marshall to throw to this fall.
According to Malzahn, that, alongside his own improvements, has made the Tigers' quiet leader feel totally at home in the offense.
"I think the big thing is just being more comfortable," Malzahn said. "He is just more under control. His balance is good. His eyes and progression are good. So you can tell that he has really improved."
(04/19/14 9:13pm)
A quick look at the score line from the 2014 Auburn spring game makes one thing clear: the Tigers' first team squad is just a little better than their backups.
Auburn's Blue team of starters won Saturday's A-Day game over the White team by a score of 58-3.
Nick Marshall, who was voted offensive MVP of the game, led the Tigers on six consecutive scoring drives in the first half, while going 13-of-22 for 236 yards and tossing four touchdowns along the way.
Head coach Gus Malzahn said he wanted his team to be more balanced in 2014 and his Blue team was just that on Saturday afternoon.
"Our emphasis was obviously throwing the football," Malzahn said. "That's been one of our main points offensively this spring was to get our guys throwing and catching the ball in front of a crowd."
In addition to Marshall's 236 through the air, the Tigers' rushing attack, which averaged 328 yards per game in 2013, accounted for 247 yards in the first half.
Battling to earn draft bound Tre Mason's share of carries, Blue running backs Cameron Artis-Payne and Corey Grant each rushed for 97 and 128 yards respectively, with both reaching the end zone once in the first half.
Running back Peyton Barber, who received praise from the coaching staff during spring practices, fumbled and was injured on his first carry of the afternoon. Barber was later carted off the field, but Malzahn said the injury was not serious.
Wide receiver D'haquille Williams showed few signs of being a newcomer, as the nation's No. 1 JUCO recruit reeled in five catches for 88 yards and one touchdown in his Jordan-Hare Stadium debut.
"Duke is just a playmaker," said wide receiver Sammie Coates, who had a touchdown reception of his own Saturday. "He went out there and showed everybody that he belongs in this league."
Fellow receivers Quan Bray and Tony Stevens combined for 147 yards receiving for the Blue team and both reached the end zone twice.
"We've had a lot of guys step up and bring a lot more to the table," Coates said. "We compete against each other to make each other better. We keep pushing each other day in and day out."
JUCO transfer linebacker Kenny Flowers led the entire roster in solo tackles during his spring debut and was awarded the defensive MVP for his efforts.
Freshman kicker Daniel Carlson, who bounced back from a missed extra point to make 2-of-3 field goals, received the special teams MVP.
Despite a lopsided score that incurred a running clock in the second half, Malzahn said he wasn't concerned with the performance of Auburn's second team players.
"I don't read anything into the score," Malzahn said. "I think it's a matter of both sides, at least our ones, are playing a little bit better at this time than they were last year. It should be expected."
At halftime, Auburn's 2013 SEC Championship team was presented with its championship rings at midfield. A video presentation highlighted some of the biggest moments from the 2013 run to the BCS National Championship Game prior to the ring ceremony.
"As a coach, I think about the last game a lot," Malzahn said. "It's good from time to time to look back and think about all the special things that happened during that year."
"When you look around and you see all the players with smiles on their faces. Great memories. It was a real special moment to be able to hand those rings out in front of the crowd there too."
(04/19/14 6:52pm)
La Salle assistant coach Harris Adler was officially announced as the final hire of men's basketball head coach Bruce Pearl's on-court coaching staff Tuesday afternoon.
The targeting of Adler was first reported by AuburnSports.com on April 18.
Adler was in his tenth season as an assistant in the La Salle program, which reached the postseason for the first time in 20 years in 2012 and went to the Sweet Sixteen under Adler in 2013.
Adler, who was an assistant coach under Bruce Pearl during Team USA's gold medal run at the 2009 Maccabi Games, will join Tony Jones and Chuck Person as a part of his on-court staff.
(04/19/14 1:27am)
Few position groups were more rocked by graduation this spring than the Auburn secondary.
Senior defensive backs Chris Davis, Ryan White and Ryan Smith all departed from a secondary that was 100th in the nation in passing yards allowed in 2013.
That said, Ellis Johnson's secondary group will return in 2014 with a number of athletes with SEC experience.
"The (Jermaine) Whiteheads, the (Joshua) Holseys, the guys that have been back there, we know what they can do," Johnson said. "It's a matter of them just continuing to improve their craft and to get better as leaders and players."
In addition to Holsey, who is returning from an ACL injury suffered against Texas A&M, and Whitehead, defensive backs Robenson Therezie and Jonathon Mincy are each returning for their senior season.
"I don't really think we have a 'quote-unquote' leader," Whitehead said. "I think it's just the guy who wants what's best for the team, what's best for the defense, who's been here, who knows what it's supposed to look like."
While the upperclassmen have already proven their worth to coaches, spring practice has also allowed new faces to show their potential.
One name making early waves is former No. 1 JUCO safety Derrick Moncrief.
"Moncrief has been an extremely pleasant surprise," Johnson said. "When you get a junior college player who's not played in your system, you always wonder how long it is going to take him to transition."
One secondary player hoping to make a name for himself in 2014 is Jonathan Jones, who is coming off another injury.
Finally, former wide receiver Trovon Reed has had a steep learning curve after his offseason switch to cornerback, but coaches are confident the senior can carve out a role.
"Trovon has had a really good camp," Johnson said. "We think he's going to help us tremendously."