New QB Todd getting used to Auburn offense

AUBURN, Ala. - Chris Todd might be in his first season as Auburn's starting quarterback, but he knows how to play the game.

He stays away from fan web sites. He doesn't read newspapers. And he doesn't listen to local sports talk shows.

Nonetheless, it was impossible to avoid all criticism when Auburn's sputtered in his first two starts.

"I try to stay away from that stuff," Todd said. "But sometimes, you will be walking across campus and everybody is looking at you. They weren't good looks.

"It hasn't been that way this week. It was more the first two weeks."

Todd had his best games against one of the nation's best defenses. He completed 17 of 32 passes for 250 yards and a touchdown, but threw two interceptions.

"Chris has got a whole lot more confidence," said wide receiver Montez Billings. "And we've got a whole lot more chemistry.

"We made plays, got open, and Chris made good reads (against LSU)."

The LSU game was more what Todd had in mind when he signed with Auburn after it hired Tony Franklin to install the spread offense last December.

Todd, who passed for 10,776 yards and 120 touchdowns at Elizabethtown (Ky.) High School, originally signed with Texas Tech. He played last season at Hutchinson Community College before joining the Tigers.

An injury to his throwing shoulder slowed Todd in the spring and he entered the regular season behind Kodi Burns, a better runner than passer. But Todd won the starting job after the first game.

Although Todd's passes have sometimes lacked zip, Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville said the shoulder is no longer a problem.

"He aims the ball sometimes instead of just throwing it," Tuberville said.

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