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Auburn-Kentucky Preview

Oct 5, 2010 - 11:20 PM By NOEY KUPCHAN STATS Writer

Auburn (5-0) at Kentucky (3-2), 7:30 p.m. EDT

Auburn surely remembers what happened against Kentucky last year, but there will be one major difference in Saturday night's matchup - Cam Newton will be on the field.

The No. 8 Tigers look to open 6-0 for the first time since 2004 when they head to Lexington to face the Wildcats.

Auburn (5-0, 2-0 SEC) fell to Kentucky 21-14 at home Oct. 17, 2009, but it's a completely different team now with Newton under center.

Newton, a junior college transfer, has been largely responsible for Auburn's unbeaten start, recording the second-highest quarterback rating in the nation while averaging 94.8 rushing yards - fourth-best in the SEC.

He completed 14 of 19 passes for 245 yards and three touchdowns in a 52-3 win over Louisiana-Monroe last Saturday, becoming the first quarterback in school history to throw at least two TD passes in each of the first five games of a season.

It wasn't Newton's passing performance that garnered attention, but rather that he didn't record one rushing attempt other than a sack.

"Our plan was to keep him from running the ball much," offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn said. "He's carried the ball a lot the last couple of weeks. We'll do whatever we have to do to win the game."

Newton was patient and distributed the ball to his teammates as Auburn put together a total team effort.

"I just want to be real clear," coach Gene Chizik said. "There are 10 other guys out there. Of course, the quarterback is going to get the blame and the credit, but there are 10 other guys out there who play their rear end off every snap, every game."

As a result of him staying in the pocket, Newton's legs should be fresh for this matchup against the Wildcats, who are allowing 166.2 rushing yards per game - second-worst in the SEC.

Kentucky coach Joker Phillips knows that Newton presents a difficult task for his defense.

"Again, he's the guy you've got to stop in their offense," he said. "You stop him, you've got a chance."

The Wildcats (3-2, 0-2) had trouble with running back Brandon Bolden and the rest of Mississippi's rushing attack in a 42-35 road loss last Saturday, surrendering a season-high 211 yards on the ground.

It was Kentucky's second consecutive defeat after a 3-0 start.

"There's definitely a sense of urgency," Phillips said. "I'd be crazy to tell you there weren't."

Wildcats receiver Randall Cobb continues to be one of the most exciting players in the country, compiling 267 all-purpose yards last Saturday, including a career-high 108 receiving yards.

"I don't know that you can shut Cobb down," Chizik said. "They have some really good football players on that offense."

Cobb ran for 109 yards and a touchdown against the Tigers last season as Kentucky piled up 282 rushing yards, the most Auburn had surrendered since Oct. 12, 2002.

The Tigers, though, are 12th in the FBS with 92.8 rushing yards allowed per game and should make things more difficult for the Wildcats.

Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley was named the SEC defensive lineman of the week after recording two tackles for losses and a sack in his previous game. His five sacks lead the conference and are tied for sixth-most in the country.

The Tigers have taken the last seven meetings in Kentucky, but Chizik knows that his team will be in for a challenge.

"They're just a very good team. We have our work cut out for us," he said. "It's going to be a tough game for us to go into their stadium and win, but we're looking forward to it and it ought to be a lot of fun."

Auburn leads the series 24-6-1.