When you consider all the playmakers Auburn lost from both sides of the ball from last season’s national championship team, experience was at a premium going forward for the Tigers this season. Unfortunately, one such experienced player has been lost for the rest of the year.
Defensive end Dee Ford had back surgery this week for an injury he sustained before last week’s win over Florida Atlantic. Ford, a junior, missed the game against the Owls and will now forgo the rest of the season as he recovers from the surgery. Ford does have a redshirt available to use.
What Auburn doesn’t have available, though, is someone with as much experience. Although Ford only started one game in his three years at Auburn, he has 29 games under his belt. Redshirt freshman LaDarius Owens is expected to fill in for Ford moving forward.
“It’s just a matter of having an opportunity,” said defensive line coach Mike Pelton of Owens. “He really just went out and made the most of the opportunity. I tell him all the time: `You never know when that number is going to be called.”
Auburn faces another tough road test this weekend as they travel to No. 10 South Carolina.
(Tip of the cap: Birmingham News)