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Tigers attack Cardinals

By Nick Van Der Linden / ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR | September 24

After a 41-30 win over West Virginia last weekend, the Tigers (3-0) will play host to a struggling Ball State (0-3) this Saturday in Jordan-Hare Stadium.The last time Ball State came to Jordan-Hare Stadium it gave up a touchdown on every possession of the game, losing 63-3 in 2005.Because of this, head coach Gene Chizik and his coaching staff will have a new challenge this week, keeping their team motivated.Ball State, who went 12-0 last year in the regular season, winning the Mid-American Conference Western Division Title, has seen a complete turnaround since the end of last season since coach Brady Hoke left for San Diego State and quarterback Nate Davis left early for the NFL.So far this season, the Cardinals have lost to North Texas and Army, two teams that had a combined 4-20 record last season, as well as New Hampshire, a football championship subdivision school.Auburn and Ball State have met twice previously this decade, with the Tigers winning twice at home, 30-0 in 2001 and 63-3 in 2005.So far, Auburn has never lost to any current members of the Mid-American Conference, with six previous games against MAC schools, with wins against Akron, Buffalo, Northern Illinois and Western Michigan.The Tigers worked on alignments and tackling, two of their main problems on defense after last Saturday's game.The defense's biggest problem last Saturday was missed tackles."We would blitz a guy and come off the edge," Chizik said in Sunday's teleconference.

Schierholz earns Equestrian MVP

By Patrick Dever / Assistant Sports Editor | September 24

Junior Hunt Seat rider Anna Schierholz started the 2009-2010 season with a bang.She competed in equitation over fences in both meets against Texas Christian University and Southern Methodist University Friday.In the first meet, against TCU, Schierholz defeated her opponent 90-73, 10 points away from a perfect score, earning MVP honors.The MVP repeated her performance against SMU, downing her Mustang opponent 85-80.Schierholz said being on the equestrian team is about much more than the meets and the MVPs."I love the connection between horse and rider," Schierholz said.

Students excited by Trooper Towels, new traditions

By Crystal Cole / STAFF WRITER | September 24

Fans that haven't been to a game recently may be surprised at what they now see after a touchdown--towels mixed in with the traditional orange and blue shakers.Rob Silverii, a senior in building sciences, and two friends are distributing "Trooper Towels" to the Auburn faithful. "It's a great way to bring publicity to the University and hopefully help with recruiting," Silverii said.He came up with the idea during the season opener with his friends, Daniel Dreher, a senior in mechanical engineering, and Hunter Harris, a senior in accounting.Silverii said he and his friends watched wide receivers coach Trooper Taylor on the sidelines waving his towel to energize players.They thought bringing towels to the game would be a great way to show their support for the new coaching staff.After the game, they started brainstorming ideas.They drew their inspiration from the Pittsburgh Steelers' "Terrible Towel" that has been a fan favorite for years.After the game, they started a Web site to get the word out about the Trooper Towel, troopertowels.com.Silverii said in the first couple of days they sold 150 towels and, before the week was out, they had an order for 5,000."It's been incredible," Silverii said.

Kickin' it with Amy Berbary

By Abby Albright / Sports Editor | September 24

Before wearing orange and blue and cheering "War Eagle," women's soccer assistant coach Amy Berbary donned Auburn's familiar Southeastern Conference rival Georgia's red and black.Berbary is in her second year on head coach Karen Hoppa's coaching staff and said she enjoys life on The Plains."It is awesome," Berbary said.

Water polo splashes into season

By David Crayton/ Staff Writer | September 24

Some call it volleyball in the water. Others call it water basketball. Still others call it football with soccer mixed in.For those that play the game and know the sport, it is simply called water polo.President of the water polo club and senior Patrick Gilday said the sport is somewhat similar to basketball."You have six players on each side and you have a goalie, so there are seven players in the water on each team," Gilday said.

Equestrian shuts out TCU, SMU

By Molly Wickstrom / Staff Writer | September 24

Auburn equestrian team competed in its season opener Friday against the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs in the morning and the Southern Methodist University Mustangs in the afternoon.Auburn defeated TCU 13-6 and SMU 7-4."The team as a whole showed up to win," said senior Hunt Seat rider Liza Luker.

Soccer Sweethearts kick off fall season

By Devin Rutland/ Staff Writer | September 24

The Soccer Sweethearts recently named their 2009-2010 members and have begun preparing for the fall 2009 soccer season.The primary function of the Auburn Soccer Sweethearts is to support Auburn club men's soccer."There is no funding from the school, so we have to fundraise," said Sweetheart Laura Garikes.

Pawlowski talks during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

By Emily Beckett/ Staff Writer | September 24

The purple streaks on Auburn baseball head coach John Pawlowski's "We R Praying 4 MLP" wristband have faded, but his hope for his daughter Mary-Louise to be cancer-free one day has not."This is my original (wristband)," Pawlowski said.

Tigers take down Mountaineers, 41-30

By Abby Albright / Sports Editor | September 24

After a frustrating rain delay and a competitive game, Auburn pulled out a win against West Virginia Saturday, beating the Mountaineers 41-30."I'm really, really proud of our football team because we had to overcome more adversity than probably we did in either of the previous two weeks," said head coach Gene Chizik.

Auburn Stands Strong Against West Virginia 41-30

By Nick Van Der Linden / ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR | September 20

In a rain-delayed gamed in which both Auburn and West Virginia combined for more than 900 yards of offense, it was the Auburn defense that came up big in Auburn's 41-30 win over the Mountaineers.The start of the game was delayed by an hour and three minutes because of a lightning storm that made it practically impossible to see across the field. Despite warnings to leave stadium due to severe weather, some 15,000 rowdy students decided to stay and cheer while waiting out the delay.

McCalebb Wins Conference Award

By Crystal Cole / STAFF WRITER | September 17

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.

Volleyball Opens SEC Play With Miss. State

By Jenna Moran/ Staff Writer | September 17

The Auburn volleyball team will travel to Starkville, Miss., to begin Southeastern Conference play against the Mississippi State Bulldogs tomorrow at 7 p.m.The Tigers overall record is currently 8-3.Auburn most recently participated in the Bash in the Boro Tournament at Georgia Southern.The Tigers competed against Coastal Carolina, Wake Forest and the hosting team, Georgia Southern."It was good to play a match to five at a high level against Georgia Southern," said Head Coach Wade Benson.

Soccer Battles Duke Blue Devils and UNC on Friday

By Aubrie Davis/ Staff Writer | September 17

A full week of uninterrupted practice will prepare the women's soccer team for the upcoming game against Duke.The team travels to Durham, N.C., Friday to battle Duke and the University of North Carolina Sunday."We're really excited," said Head Coach Karen Hoppa.

Big Bad Bulldogs Fall to Tigers

By Abby Albright / Sports Editor | September 17

Head Coach Gene Chizik earned his second win of the 2009 season by leading Auburn their first SEC win of the season over Mississippi State.

Olympian, AU Alum Kirsty Coventry Returns to The Plains

By Crystal Cole / STAFF WRITER | September 17

With full stomachs and open ears, about 300 women listened to Kirsty Coventry urge them to give back to their communities at the Women's Philanthropy Board fall luncheon Friday.The event, held at The Hotel at Auburn University, was centered on "maximizing your philanthropic footprint."Coventry was a swimmer at Auburn University and helped win national championships in 2003 and 2004.She has won seven medals in the past two Olympic Games and has started to give back to her home country of Zimbabwe.Coventry took to the podium after the guests ate and listened to an welcome and introduction from June Henton, dean of the College of Human Sciences and WPB Benefactor member.The Olympian had never been to America before coming to Auburn.

Horsing Around With Williams

By Michael Hansberry/ Staff Writer | September 17

Equestrian Head Coach Greg Williams describes himself as competitor who loves to win.He measures his success in the achievements of the girls he trains.Williams is the first and only head coach of the women's equestrian team.He established the charter team 15 years ago in 1996, and it became recognized as a varsity sport six years later in 2002.Before Williams, Auburn didn't have an equestrian team of any type."I've always been in the horse business, and I love working with students," Williams said, "And there was a group of girls that wanted to start an intercollegiate equestrian team.

Auburn Fans Show Support with Gameday Buttons

By Brian Desarro/ Staff Writer | September 17

From Tiger Walk to rolling Toomer's Corner, Auburn fans can always find time for gameday traditions.For more than 20 years, the Auburn University Bookstore has added to these traditions by giving fans a different way to show their spirit.Gameday buttons, free to fans in the Auburn University Bookstore every home game, feature slogans about the day's game and are prized possessions of both students and alumni."Auburn loves tradition and this has been one that is mostly good-spirited and fun," said Katie Lee, bookstore director.

West Virginia Mountaineers Make First Trip to The Plains to Play Auburn

By Nick Van Der Linden / ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR | September 17

Auburn will host the West Virginia Mountaineers (2-0, 1-0 Big East) who will make their first ever visit to The Plains this Saturday.The Tigers are coming off a win against conference foe Mississippi State, defeating them 49-24 while racking up an impressive 589 yards of total offense.Auburn currently ranks second in the nation in rushing offense (345.5) and fourth nationally in total offense (572.5).Head Coach Gene Chizik said after Saturday's game the final numbers show that the offense was effective in a number of ways, although there was still a lot of room for improvement, something they would look at closely in preparation for Saturday's game against West Virginia.Junior wide receiver/quarterback Kodi Burns accounted for four of Auburn's touchdowns in Saturday's game against Mississippi State, throwing for one and running for three.Burns now has 12 career rushing touchdowns, four this season.The Tiger's running game was solid as they put up 390 yards in last week's game, becoming the only team in the country with two players averaging more than 100 yards rushing per game, making Auburn the only school in the country with two rushers averaging 100 yards per gameSenior running back Ben Tate leads the SEC, ranking seventh nationally in rushing (137.0) and 10th in school history with 2,233 career yards.Joining him is freshman running back Onterio McCalebb who leads the SEC in all-purpose yards (196.0) and is the first freshman in Auburn history to rush for more than 100 yards in the first two games of his career.Senior quarterback Chris Todd was 10-of-23 for 186 yards and no interceptions, while sophomore wide receiver Darvin Adams had his first career 100-yard receiving game with a total of 116 yards.Following Sunday night's practice, defensive coordinator Ted Roof said that after reviewing the film of the victory over Mississippi State, he felt the Tigers played well, but there was room for improvement."There were some good things, and some things that we're going to have to get better at," Roof said.