Chizik hopes to take last year’s late heroics against Northwestern to build on in 2010. (Staff Photo)

Staff Report
(July 24, 2010)

HOOVER – If he could choose, Gene Chizik would like to take the final minutes of the final game of the 2009 season and put it under glass.

The overtime win over Northwestern in the Outback Bowl served notice to the Auburn Tigers of what happens in difficult situations.

Even though Auburn blew a big lead in the fourth quarter, it somehow found a way to win.

“There were some things that I wished we could do better but we found a way,” Chizik said during Friday’s round of talks at SEC Media Days. “Sometimes it’s not just that you win the game, but how you win. That game gave us some idea of what we needed to dig down deep. We had to win it a couple of times and all of that matters.

“We had several situations that we needed to be in. We needed to come back in a 14-0 deficit against West Virginia. They had to buy in to what we are doing. I think that propelled us to where we are now.”

The plan is to build on the success, only Chizik and Aubutn will have to do it with youth, some inexperience at positions and a new quarterback who enters with high expectations.

“Cameron…  he is a phenomenal young man, first of all,” Chizik said of the Tigers new signal caller, Cameron Newton, who transferred from Blinn College but is better known for his potential when at Florida.

“He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do both on and off the field. You can just see Cameron physically when he walks through the door, you know he’s a very athletic, very talented young man. It’s a good thing that he’s had a little bit of experience in this league just traveling around and being in different stadiums, seeing it, knowing it. I think that little thing in itself is big.”

If the Tigers are to improve on their 8-5 record from a year ago, the defense must improve. Auburn gave up a whopping 27.5 points per game last year, which ranked last in the SEC.

“We’ve got to finish,” linebacker Josh Bynes said. “That’s what our coaches are preaching. Last year, we started 5-0, and we finished 3-5, and that’s not going to get us anywhere. We lost key games, and we’ve got to finish on top now instead of finishing on the bottom of those. Coach Chizik talked about in the off sesason finishing those games to move from good to great. We want to win the SEC Championship, and if you do that, then you should be able to play for the national championship.”

A lot has been made of the incoming class of freshmen, many of which will see action early. Chances are running back Michael Dyer could be a starter before the season ends.

“With  a great recruiting class, (we) are headed in the right direction,” offensive lineman Lee Ziema said. “Every year, when they (freshman class) come in, it’s exciting to see them, to see where you were four years ago. The coaches have been outstanding. I can’t thank them enough for the way they handle themselves and the type of men they are.”

The most important “recruit” may have been keeping offensive coordinator Gus Malzhan, who flirted with a few offers to become a head coach before deciding to stay at Auburn.

“Any time you have the same offense, the same coaching staff, there’s a confidence there,” Ziemba said. “That’s the biggest thing I’ve seen is the experienced talent we have coming back. We’re excited about the coming season.”