NOTEBOOK: Linebacker’s status in question

Craig Stevens’ teammates certainly missed him on the field Saturday, but they’re confident his indefinite absence won’t disrupt an Auburn defense that still looked quite vulnerable in its 2010 debut.

“He’s a great player,” defensive end Antoine Carter said. “But we’ve got guys behind him that’s going to step up and fill the same shoes.”

Chizik said Sunday he wouldn’t discuss specifics regarding Stevens’ indefinite suspension, refusing to comment on what Stevens did. When asked about one of his top linebackers, defensive coordinator Ted Roof said that all questions regarding Stevens went through Chizik.

All that is clear is that Stevens is out for the foreseeable future until “he will have proved to us that he is living back up to our standards,” Chizik said.

Carter said Stevens is handling the punishment “pretty well.”

“He don’t let you see him sweat so you can’t really tell,” Carter said. “You don’t know what to
expect.”

It’s unclear when, or over how long a period of time, Stevens committed the indiscretion or indiscretions that ultimately landed him in his current position. His teammates didn’t provide much clarity Sunday.

“It was whatever,” senior Josh Bynes said. “I wasn’t sure what was going on.”

Eltoro Freeman received the start in Stevens’ place, but wasn’t on the field as much as Stevens is in a typical game. Sophomore Jonathan Evans also saw playing time behind Freeman while freshman Jessel Curry played behind Daren Bates on the opposite side.

Freeman missed a good portion of practice in August because of turf toe. He finished with six tackles Saturday, including a sack.

“He was fired up, and he was actually a lot better — way better — than he was the year before,” Bynes said. “He knows what he’s supposed to do on assignments and he was flying to the ball and doing the things we expected him to do since he’s been here. I’m glad he got the chance to start last night and showed up very well.”

Old hat

Brandon Mosley wore two jerseys and played two distinctly different roles for Auburn on Saturday.

He donned his standard No. 75 and played left tackle when the game was out of hand in the fourth quarter. Earlier in the game, though, Mosley was wearing No. 84, as he served as a blocking tight end on certain formations.

Mosley came to Auburn as a tight end, but was converted to tackle in hopes of competing for the vacancy on the right side of the offensive line.

“Him being able to play both for us is big,” Chizik said. “Whether that’s every week or not, we’ll play that by ear somewhat. But he’s able to help our football team in two different ways and that’s something we need him to do.”

M*A*S*H* report

Chizik had no update about freshman cornerback Chris Davis, who went down with what appeared to be an injured ankle during the fourth quarter Saturday.

“That one really is probably going to be day by day,” Chizik said. “I don’t know. He’s sore.”

Freshman wide receiver Trovon Reed (bone bruise) did not play Saturday, but “is doing better,” Chizik said.

“He really wanted to play (Saturday),” tailback Michael Dyer said. “They’re trying to save him for when he’s feeling better. When he gets out there, he’ll be ready to go.”

Friendly competition

Dyer said he watched his former recruiting buddy, South Carolina’s Marcus Lattimore, rush for 54 yards and two touchdowns Thursday in the Gamecocks’ victory over Southern Miss.

“I figured I’d try to come out there and do the same,” Dyer said.

Consider it done. Dyer finished with 95 yards and a touchdown in one of the better debuts for an Auburn freshman tailback.

Dyer and Lattimore grew close last year, as both players — considered the consensus top two running backs in the nation — were courted hard by Auburn. Dyer signed with Auburn while Lattimore chose South Carolina over the Tigers in a ceremony one day before National Signing Day.

“We don’t really communicate (anymore),” Dyer said. “If he ever calls or texts, I’ll respond to it.”

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