ESPN 3D will carry the Tigers’ six o’clock home game against Clemson.

The game will also be broadcast on ESPN.

Editor’s note: This is the third in an eight-part series highlighting eight Auburn starters who don’t exactly generate many headlines, but make irreplaceable contributions in a game that goes beyond “the stars.”

Of all the players on Auburn’s roster this past spring, Ikeem Means might have received the most publicity.

The redshirt sophomore walk-on was hard to ignore simply because safeties coach TommyThigpen wouldn’t stop talking about him.

“He kind of reminds me of (Daren) Bates, except probably a little more burst than Bates,” Thigpen said in April. “It’ll be interesting, because if he does exactly what he’s been doing in practice and be able to execute, he’ll be competing for some starting time.”

That statement was delivered while the collective statuses of Zac Etheridge, Aairon Savage and Mike McNeil were up in the air. And while it’s still uncertain that all three players will be fully healthy and able to contribute for the season opener, Means’ road to significant playing time certainly appears to be bumpier.

That doesn’t make him any less valuable on a team that had some laughable struggles on special teams last season.

There’s a reason why special teams coordinator Jay Boulware took some sarcastic jabs at Thigpen for taking Means away from him this spring.

He’s not your everyday walk-on.

His resume
Means could be playing football for free right now. That’s what his mother, Trisha, wanted.

But Means, a Wetumpka native, saw a better opportunity as a walk-on at Auburn, passing up free rides to Alabama State and Tuskegee.

He probably saw the lack of depth on Auburn’s roster, which basically forced him into action on special teams as a true freshman.

Seeing the field on nearly every special teams formation, Means led all non-scholarship defenders with 10 tackles, six solos. When given the opportunity to play on defense against Furman in Auburn’s homecoming game, Means made the most of it, picking up six tackles. All four of his tackles on special teams were solos.

Means, though, wants more.

First, he wants some “real” playing time, an opportunity to prove his six-tackle effort against Furman wasn’t a result of poor competition. Second, he wants a scholarship, a definite possibility if Auburn has remaining scholarship slots at the end of August.

“That was my main goal,” Means said in April. “Just to help my mom out and do whatever I could because she’s always been there for me.”

Why he’s important
It’s easy to overlook just how much of an impact special teams has on a game because it’s so easy to forget just how often special teams situations arise.

Take last year’s 26-22 victory at Tennessee, an average SEC game that included a normal amount of punts, kicks, field goal attempts and touchdowns. For a player like Means, who plays on most, sometimes all, special teams formations, it’s a day at the office that doesn’t go without any significant lulls.

In that game, Auburn kicked off seven times and fielded four. The Tigers punted six times, while Tennessee was forced to punt eight times. Wes Byrum attempted five field goals and two extra points, while Tennessee kicker Daniel Lincoln attempted two apiece.

This particular game featured 156 offensive plays.

Special teams plays encompassed a little less than 19 percent of it.

Means probably wasn’t on the field for all 36 special teams plays, but he was there for the vast majority. That’s the definition of under-the-radar participation.

And Means, as Boulware said in April, was one of his best on the overlooked unit.

“He’s really looking good on teams, but he’s also looking really good on defense,” Boulware said. “There’s another guy that I’m going to have to cross off of my list if he keepsprogressing.”

Who’s behind him?
Means would love his future to be somewhere outside the world of special teams.

His battle to make real contributions on defense will be difficult if Etheridge, McNeil and Savage are fully recovered, but that remains to be seen.

If only one or two of those players can contribute, Means has a legitimate shot to see the field, at least in nickel or dime packages.

If it doesn’t come together this season, there will always be a place for Means on special teams. And with a deep class of freshmen entering the fray next month, Means’ services might not be required on all special teams formations — even though his coach remains skeptical.

“That’s where our depth is right now,” Boulware said. “We’ve got to rely on other guys coming in, so we’re still a year away where we need to be depth-wise, talking about kids being able to come in and help us out.”

agribble@oanow.com | 737-2561

Editor’s note: This is the second in an eight-part series highlighting eight Auburn starters who don’t exactly generate many headlines, but make irreplaceable contributions in a game that goes beyond “the stars.”

If anything, former tailback Ben Tate was one of Auburn’s more honest players over the past few seasons.

Prompted about players, or coaches, he didn’t think deserved praise, Tate often pleaded the fifth or let his Cheshire cat grin tell you how he truly felt.

That never happened last season whenever Eric Smith’s name popped up.

Tate might have been a little biased, considering that Smith was one of his better friends on the team, but it was clear that he respected all the little things Smith did as an H-back.

“He’s a team player. He lays it on the line,” Tate said. “Some people don’t realize or actually get to see what he does for us.

“I appreciate him and I let him know it because he does a heck of a job of blocking.”

Football is loaded with stats galore, but there isn’t a truly fair way to quantify what a player like Smith brings to the offense.

What makes Smith even more valuable, though, is that he does quantify his worth by catching passes on third downs, plowing through the line on that all-important third-and-1 or taking a few carries at tailback whenever the starter needs a spell.

Smith simply is Auburn’s Mr. Everything.

His resume
Smith arrived at Auburn for Tommy Tuberville’s final season and immediately drew comparisons to former downhill runner Rudi Johnson.

It was lofty praise. And it was a projection offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn didn’t exactly agree with when he took over as offensive coordinator in 2009.

Malzahn saw a player that wasn’t going to contend with Tate and Onterio McCalebb for the traditional tailback role. He saw a player that fit in perfectly with his versatile H-Back position, especially for blocking situations.

Smith’s biggest hurdle of adversity toward embracing that role was self-inflicted. He was arrested in early August for misdemeanor disorderly conduct. He was later charged with Class A assault, another misdemeanor, and was ultimately suspended for one game.

Smith was also ruled ineligible for the Outback Bowl because of academic concerns.

Between those two incidents, though, Smith was arguably one of Auburn’s most valuable offensive players. He rushed for nearly 100 yards and a touchdown and also caught 18 passes for 226 yards — the majority of which seemingly came on crucial, third-and-longs.

Smith should be eligible when practice opens next week and the door should be open for him to assume full-time duties at H-back.

Why he’s important
Malzahn’s offense thrives on versatility and there’s no position that demands it more than H-back.

Mario Fannin, who has played more than four positions in his football career, seemed to fit the H-back mold perfectly. But, as Fannin would often admit, he wasn’t the best blocker.

That’s where Smith’s importance reigned strongest in 2009. Though by no means the runner or playmaker that Fannin is, Smith brought value on passing downs that didn’t require the H-back to go out for passes, running plays where Tate broke out to the side or, simply, the basic
running plays between the tackles.

“We move him around,” Malzahn said. “He allows us to put him in a lot of different positions and gives us a lot of flexibility.“

Who’s behind him?
It’s always tough to define what players are playing in what specific spots in Malzahn’s amorphous offense, but there are clearly fewer options at H-back this season than there were in 2009.

Gone, for the time being, is Fannin, who will get his first real crack at taking over the everyday tailback job. Gone is Dontae Aycock, whom many projected as a prototypical H-back, but is now trying to walk on at South Florida. And gone are lesser-knowns John Douglas and Jason
King, both of whom were arrested for respective DUIs last December.

That left Smith, Philip Lutzenkirchen and redshirt freshman Robert Cooper as Auburn’s H-backs this past spring. Cooper, a former quarterback, is still trying to gain weight and appears to be a work in progress. Lutzenkirchen will certainly see the field in 2010, but it could very well be in a role similar to Tommy Trott’s in 2009. Lutzenkirchen is versatile, has been receiving extra tutelage and, as of spring practice, was training to prepare for H-back duties, but his danger as a traditional tight end might be tough to overlook.

That leaves Smith to resume the role he performed so well in 2009.

“He’s a smart, smart player,” Malzahn said. “He understands football, he understands concepts. He’s tough. He’s one of our all-around guys that can give us a lot of flexibility.”

agribble@oanow.com | 737-2561

AUBURN - Rising Auburn sophomore Blayne Barber advanced to the 2010 U.S. Amateur after claiming medalist honors Tuesday at the Sawgrass Country Club in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.

The Lake City, Fla., native shot 7-under through 36-holes for a three-stroke win over North Florida’s Sean Dale (140).  Currently ranked 25th in the Scratch Players World Amateur Golf Rankings, Barber returns to the U.S. Amateur after competing in the 2008 edition.
“I feel like I’ve been playing well all summer and that my game is coming together,“ said Barber.  “These two rounds were real smooth - nothing crazy.  Just solid golf.  Today I started out with three birdies after the first three holes which allowed me to settle in quickly.  It was a comfortable round.

“My goal over the next two years is to make the Walker Cup.  I’ve been trying to play all the big events I can.  Making it to the U.S. Amateur is a big help in reaching that goal.  I’m incredibly excited to have qualified.“

Barber redshirted the 2009-10 season after transferring from the University of Central Florida, was named to the 2008-09 Five-Man GCAA All-Freshman team and was a three-time Conference USA Golfer-of-the-Week.

Earning alternate status from the Wheaton, Ill., qualifier were incoming freshman Dan Stringfellow and rising junior Kyle Kopsick.  The pair tied for fifth at 1-under.

Also earning alternate status from the Orlando, Fla., sectional was incoming transfer Michael Hebert at 1-under.

The 2010 U.S. Amateur is set for August 23-29 at the Chambers Bay Golf Course in Tacoma, Wash.  Complete U.S. Amateur information and qualifying results can be found at http://www.USGA.com.

AUBURN—Auburn rising junior guard Frankie Sullivan underwent successful surgery on his left knee Tuesday at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Birmingham by Dr. James Andrews. There is no timetable for his return.

“I feel for Frankie and the Auburn Family,“ said first-year Auburn head coach Tony Barbee. “We were all looking forward to him having a big year. I’m a big believer in things happening for a reason even though we don’t always understand why. We know Frankie will use his toughness and work ethic to come back 100 percent and will rejoin the team when he is fully healthy.

“I am glad the surgery was a success, and we look forward to him completing his rehab and getting back on the court and helping the team.“

Only 31 percent of Auburn’s scoring and 36 percent of the Tigers’ rebounding return from last year’s 15-17 team, and Sullivan accounts for 16 percent of the scoring and 11 percent of the rebounding alone.

The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Uniontown, Ala., native averaged 12.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists last season. Sullivan shot 43 percent from the field, 37 percent from 3-point range and was second in the SEC shooting 85 percent from the foul line. He scored a career-high 27 points in last year’s SEC Tournament first round loss to Florida.

The White Sox today announced that Frank Thomas, two-time American League Most Valuable Player and one of baseball’s greatest offensive players, will re-join the White Sox as a team ambassador.

Thomas, whose uniform No. 35 will be officially retired by the organization on “Frank Thomas Day,“ Aug. 29, at U.S. Cellular Field, joins the White Sox Speakers Bureau, which includes former Sox stars Carlton Fisk, Ron Kittle, Bill Melton, Minnie Minoso and Bill “Moose” Skowron.

As a White Sox team ambassador, Frank Thomas will make appearances on behalf of the organization and serve as a team representative in the community and throughout baseball. Thomas also currently serves as studio analyst for White Sox Pre- and Post Game Live on Comcast SportsNet Chicago.

“Frank Thomas is one of the greatest offensive players in Major League Baseball history and, without question, one of the greatest players in our franchise’s long history,“ said White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf. “It is with great pleasure that we formally welcome Frank back to the White Sox family.“

This summer, Frank Thomas’ No. 35 will become the 10th uniform number to be retired by the White Sox. He will join No. 2 (Nellie Fox), No. 3 (Harold Baines), No. 4 (Luke Appling), No. 9 (Minnie Minoso), No. 11 (Luis Aparicio, currently un-retired for the 2010 season), No. 16 (Ted Lyons), No. 19 (Billy Pierce), No. 42 (Jackie Robinson) and No. 72 (Carlton Fisk).

Thomas played 18 major-league seasons with the White Sox (1990-2005), Oakland (2006, ‘08) and Toronto (2007-08). He was a career .301 (2,468-8,199) hitter with 495 doubles, 521 home runs, 1,704 RBI, 1,494 runs scored and 1,667 walks in 2,322 games.

A five-time American League All-Star, Thomas became just the 11th player in major-league history to win consecutive MVP awards. He was a unanimous selection in 1993 after hitting .317 (174-549) with 36 doubles, 41 home runs and 128 RBI in 153 games when he led the White Sox to the AL Western Division championship and the team’s first postseason appearance since 1983. In 1994, Thomas captured his second straight league honor by batting .353 (141-399) with 34 doubles, 38 home runs and 101 RBI over 113 games.

Thomas is the club’s franchise leader in numerous offensive categories, including home runs (448), doubles (447), RBI (1,465), runs scored (1,327), extra-base hits (906), walks (1,466), total bases (3,949), slugging percentage (.568) and on-base percentage (.427). He also ranks among the franchise leaders in hits (3rd, 2,136), games played (3rd, 1,959), at-bats (3rd, 6,956) and batting average (7th, .307).

Along with Hall of Famers Mel Ott, Babe Ruth and Ted Williams, Thomas is one of just four players in baseball history to have a .300 average with 500 home runs, 1,500 RBI, 1,000 runs scored and 1,500 walks in his career. He is a four-time Silver Slugger Award winner (1991, ‘93-94, 2000) and was named the 2000 AL Comeback Player of the Year.

Thomas was selected in the first round (seventh overall) by the White Sox in the 1989 Major League Baseball Free Agent Draft. He made his major-league debut with the Sox on August 2, 1990 at Milwaukee.

Tickets for “Frank Thomas Day” on Sunday, August 29 (vs. the New York Yankees, 1:05 p.m.) are available at whitesox.com, by calling 1-866-SOX-GAME or by visiting the U.S. Cellular Field ticket office. The game will be televised on Comcast SportsNet Chicago and broadcast on The Score 670 AM.

Georgia punter Drew Butler defended his position and its subsequent effect on the game with gusto at last week’s SEC Media Days.

Sure, the first punter to represent his team in Media Days history is a little biased, but his coach, Mark Richt, had his back.

“It truly is a third of the game,” Butler said of special teams. “If you can win that aspect, and you can win offense or defense, you have a leg up on the competition.”

OK, so punting is probably one-sixth. And when it’s considered that field-goal kicking puts actual points on the board and can truly decide wins or losses, it might get bumped to one-eighth.

Regardless, it’s still a vital component to the game.

All indications point toward Auburn senior Ryan Shoemaker resuming his role this season as the Tigers’ point man on punts, which means his presence on the roster is as vital as any.

On a team in which the defense is still unproven, every yard is crucial. The difference between a touchback and a ball downed inside the 5 could very well be the difference between a field goal and a touchdown for the other team.

That’s where Shoemaker will score and defend points.

Filling old shoes

Shoemaker was a star in the making after redshirting his first year with the Tigers.

Filling the shoes of Kody Bliss, Shoemaker was named to the All-SEC freshman team after ranking second in the SEC (16th nationally) with a 42.4 yards-per-punt average. Heading into the 2008 season, Shoemaker was a preseason All-SEC selection as just a sophomore.

And then walk-on Clinton Durst beat him out for the job. Twice.

Shoemaker’s one appearance during the past two seasons was forgettable. While Durst nursed a fever during Auburn’s game against LSU in 2008, Shoemaker averaged just 35.4 yards per punt and helped set up a short field late with a poor 25-yarder. That one bad punt ultimately helped LSU win the game.

With Durst gone, Shoemaker was the lone punter on Auburn’s roster during the spring. His coach, special teams coordinator Jay Boulware, was impressed, saying Shoemaker was ready to seize the job.

“He has just been better each and every week,” Boulware said in April. “He’s striking the ball really, really well right now.”

Last season, Auburn won just three games when it had a worse average starting field position than its opponent. Four of its five losses came when it was worse.

The punter isn’t fully responsible for this statistic, but he certainly plays a huge part in its evolution. Just think, a punt that touches down and falls with topspin, tumbling into the end zone for a touchback, can mean a difference of as many as 19 yards of field position.

There’s a fine line, and punters like Shoemaker have to walk it. Yes, the way punts land is sometimes a matter of pure luck. But over the long haul, the good punters have more punts bounce their way than the bad ones.

Moments like the one Shoemaker faced against LSU two years ago can define a punter because it’s a position where anonymity is desired.

Punters who have their names come up after games more often than not are typically infamous, not famous.

Who’s behind him?

The starting job is by no means a lock for Shoemaker, though. It’s his to lose.

When camp opens next week, Steven Clark, one of the nation’s most touted high school punters and a player Boulware personally recruited, will join Shoemaker for what could be a down-to-the-wire competition. Clark looks like a prototypical NFL punter, Boulware said, and he’s obviously respected enough to land a full scholarship.

Boulware said Shoemaker’s intensity amplified when Clark stopped by the Auburn athletic complex for a visit shortly before Signing Day. On top of the big-time experience that Clark simply doesn’t have at this juncture, Shoemaker will have to maintain that focus if he wants to finish his Auburn career away on the field.

“He does have a big leg, and he does have the potential to be a lot better than what he is currently right now,” Boulware said of Clark. “I’m really looking forward to having a chance to coach him.”

agribble@oanow.com | 737-2561

AUBURN - Auburn’s annual Fan Day presented by Golden Flake Snack Foods is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 15 from 2-4 p.m. CT at the brand new Auburn Arena. The event is free of charge. Doors for Fan Day will open at 1:45 p.m.

The Auburn football team, football head coach Gene Chizik, the Auburn men’s basketball team, head coach Tony Barbee, the Auburn women’s basketball team, head coach Nell Fortner, along with the Auburn cheerleaders, Tiger Paws, Aubie, and the soccer and volleyball teams will be available for autographs. Posters and schedule cards will be provided at no charge.

Fans are asked to enter the Auburn Arena from the south side through the doors leading in to the practice court facility. Fans interested in obtaining Coach Chizik’s autograph will be asked to enter the arena through the Scholarship Entry on the southeast corner. There will not be access to Coach Chizik’s line inside the arena.

The Auburn football team will be staged on the main concourse of the arena. The men’s and women’s basketball teams, Auburn cheerleaders, Tiger Paws, Aubie, and the soccer and volleyball teams will be located in the practice court facility.

The upper concourse will be closed as will access to the main basketball floor.

Concessions and restrooms will be open for public use. The Auburn Ticket Office will be open for football and basketball ticket sales, and 2010 Auburn Football Media Guides will also be available for purchase during Fan Day.

A limited number of season, mini-season and single-game tickets are still available. For more information, please visit

AUBURN, Ala. - The Auburn baseball coaching staff will have three less holes to fill next season as Justin Fradejas, Bradley Hendrix and Kevin Patterson have all told the coaches that they intend to return for their senior seasons.

“We are ecstatic that Justin, Bradley and Kevin are returning to Auburn for their senior seasons. They will continue their outstanding Auburn careers and provide our 2011 team with toughness and leadership,“ Auburn Head Coach John Pawlowski said. “There is no substitute for having experienced winners on your team and these three players were a big reason that Auburn won the SEC West in 2010. Our fans should look forward to watching them play again in Plainsman Park next season.“

Fradejas was a 35th round pick of the Colorado Rockies in June’s Major League Baseball Draft but will instead come back for his second year with Auburn. A junior college transfer prior to the 2010 season, he hit .358 with 69 hits, 52 runs scored and a team-high 14 stolen bases. Playing in both center and right fields, he had a .976 fielding percentage last season, committing just three errors in 121 chances, making highlight-reel catches throughout the season.

“I love Auburn and we had an awesome last year and I wasn’t ready to leave,“ Fradejas said. “Hopefully I can come back for my senior season and we can go further than we did last year and hopefully make it to Omaha.“

Bradley Hendrix

 
Hendrix was a 30th round pick of the Cincinnati Reds but will instead return for his fourth season with Auburn. A right-handed reliever that has made 58 career relief appearances, he was 4-2 with a 5.35 ERA in 33 2/3 innings in 2010 with one save. Sporting a career record of 12-7, he led the team in wins as a sophomore with a 7-3 mark, coming out of the bullpen for all 24 of his appearances, throwing 46 innings and putting together a 5.09 ERA.

“I am definitely excited about coming back. I had a really fun year last year. I improved a lot and I think the expectations have risen,“ Hendrix said. “I expect to do more this year and help us go further. I still have a lot to prove and I am excited about my senior year and being a leader on the team.“

Kevin Patterson

 
Patterson was a 23rd round pick of the Tampa Bay Rays but will also return for a fourth season at Auburn. Last year he had his finest year at the plate since arriving at Auburn, hitting a career-best .315 with 39 hits, 16 of which went for extra-bases, and a .533 slugging percentage in just 124 at bats. Over the course of three seasons he has hit .265 with 20 doubles, five triples and 27 home runs, driving in 77 RBI.

“I am coming back because Auburn is a great place to play. Even though I did get drafted, after looking at all my options I felt that coming back to Auburn and playing every day and being in a fulltime role would help me from a baseball standpoint,“ Patterson said. “More importantly I am two semesters away from finishing my degree. I just had to take a step back and look at the whole big picture. One more year of school in the long run will probably be more beneficial for me.“

Auburn had a school record 11 players drafted in the 2010 MLB Draft, nine of which were juniors. Of the nine eligible to return, five have signed, four of which were drafted in the top 11 rounds of the draft (Trent Mummey - Baltimore - fourth round; Hunter Morris - Milwaukee - fourth round; Cole Nelson - Detroit - 10th round; Grant Dayton - Florida - 11th round) as well as Stephen Kohlscheen (Seattle - 45th round).

Still weighing his options is Brian Fletcher, a 17th round pick of the Kansas City Royals. The deadline for teams to sign their draft picks is Monday, Aug. 16.