AUBURN, Ala. — Nova always creates a stir on gameday at Jordan-Hare Stadium, but Auburn’s beloved eagle isn’t the only animal making an appearance Saturday against Arkansas.
Twin tiger cubs – Ceylon, a male, and Fatima, a female – prowled the Tigers’ sideline during warmups, visiting from the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo in Gulf Shores, Ala. Just 13 weeks old, but about as big as a medium-sized dog, Ceylon and Fatima graciously posed for pictures with fans on the sideline, and were brought to midfield for a quick pregame announcement of their presence, which drew loud applause from the crowd filling in to the bleachers.
Though Ceylon and Fatima posed a tough act to follow, the Amazin’s did their best, as members of Auburn’s 1972 team were then recognized during pregame ceremonies.
As for the football side of things, no major changes were made to the Auburn starting lineup. Freshman Patrick Miller gets the start at right tackle for the second straight game over Avery Young; Trovon Reed, as expected, will start at slot receiver in place of suspended Quan Bray; and the secondary rolls with cornerbacks Jonathan Mincy and Chris Davis and safeties Demetruce McNeal and Jermaine Whitehead to begin the game.
Below is the compiled list of Auburn coverage this week, listed chronologically backward.
And, as always, be sure to join us at halftime for a quickie discussion on the first half of Razorbacks-Tigers.
Preview: Tigers intend to finish games stronger, starting Saturday vs. Arkansas
Pregame Pep Talk: Smile! Big games Saturday (game breakdowns and predictions)
Brenner column: Beware the air as Wilson, Hamilton can do damage
Behind Enemy Lines: 5 Questions with Arkansas beat writer Robbie Neiswanger
High-scoring games the way of the future, college coaches understand
Arkansas coach John L. Smith on Kiehl Frazier: “Not always a good thing” to play so early
The Wrath of Gene: Chizik sounds off on all Auburn positions, especially WRs
The reasons Auburn is 1-3, as OC Scot Loeffler views it from field level
-AB