Durst's return upgrades Auburn punting

AUBURN, Ala. — Redshirt freshman punter Clinton Durst should be back on the job against the Vols. And that’s good news for Auburn.

Durst, who missed last week’s LSU game with the flu, averaged 43.7 yards per punt in the first three games. Ryan Shoemaker, who replaced him, averaged only 35.4 yards on seven punts against LSU.

That’s the same Shoemaker who made second-team All-SEC last season as a redshirt freshman.

Durst won the starting job with an outstanding showing in the spring. His better hang time on punts was one of the deciding factors.

Burns Return?: Tigers coach Tommy Tuberville indicated that quarterback Kodi Burns has a good chance of playing against UT.

Burns, who is a far better runner than Chris Todd, started the season opener but didn’t play the last two weeks against Mississippi State and LSU.

“Sooner or later, he’s going to go into the game, and there’s going to be a standing ovation,” Tuberville said. “And the pressure will be off him and everybody.”

Like most second-team quarterbacks, Burns is a fan favorite.

Fannin Limited: Mario Fannin, who rushed for 448 yards last year as a freshman, has a new role. And it’s not just because of the new offense.

Fannin was moved to wide receiver to ease his recovery from a shoulder injury.

“He would have been a backup running back (if not for the injury),” said Tuberville, who expects Fannin to move back to running back next season or maybe later this season.

Fannin has rushed four times for 36 yards and caught five passes for 24 yards this season.

Davis Out: Tuberville doesn’t expect senior running back and kick returner Tristan Davis to play this week.

Davis suffered a concussion last week in the LSU game. He has only seven carries from scrimmage this season but leads the team in kickoff returns.

Fannin, who had a 24-yard return last week against LSU, is Auburn’s other kick returner in its two-deep alignment. Brad Lester or Ben Tate likely will take Davis’ place.

Extra Points: Auburn hasn’t lost SEC home games on successive Saturdays since 1999, Tuberville’s first season at Auburn. … The Tigers have nine shutouts under Tuberville.

Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.