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Groves, Auburn try to shut down KSU in opener

Sep 1, 2007 - 12:10 PM Kansas State at No. 18 Auburn 7:45 pm EDT

AUBURN, Alabama (Ticker) -- Quentin Groves and Auburn hope to begin their new season like they ended their last - with a victory over a Big 12 Conference opponent.

Star defensive end Groves leads the 18th-ranked Tigers into their season-opening contest against Kansas State on Saturday.

Last year, Auburn ended an 11-2 campaign - 6-2 in the rugged Southeast Conference - by edging Nebraska, 17-14, in the Cotton Bowl.

The senior leader of Auburn's aggressive defense, Groves needs just three sacks to match the school record of 26 held by Gerald Robinson, who played from 1982-85.

The Tigers' offense is in good hands with senior quarterback Brandon Cox, who has started 21 consecutive games - the longest streak of any player on the team.

Kansas State went 7-6 in its first season under coach Ron Prince, including 4-4 in the Big 12 Conference.

The team is paced by quarterback Josh Freeman, who threw for a school freshman-record 1,780 yards last year after starting the final eight games, including an upset of Texas.

The Wildcats have won a school-record 17 straight season openers since a 31-0 loss at Arizona State in 1989, the first season of Prince's predecessor, Bill Snyder.

Auburn is 2-0 all-time against Kansas State, but the teams have not met since 1979.