Web posted January 3, 1998

 Auburn rallies, wins late
 Mike Berardino

By Mike Berardino and Rob Mueller
Staff Writers

ATLANTA - There were no bold pronouncements from Takeo Spikes after the final game of his junior season - and perhaps his Auburn football career.

The All-American linebacker from Washington County High School said after Friday's 21-17 Peach Bowl victory over Clemson that he'll hold a press conference next week to announce his plans.

Spikes has until Jan. 9 to apply for the NFL draft, and he'll wrestle with the decision all week.

``I've created a bond with all the players here,'' Spikes said after being named Peach Bowl MVP despite being held to just two tackles and a fourth-quarter interception. ``They're like brothers to me, and bonds can't be broken.

``I love it here at Auburn. I love what I'm doing. It would be disappointing to leave, but I'll have a press conference next week and I'll give you an answer then. Does that help?''

His coach has already made up his mind.

``It doesn't make sense for him to throw away a sure spot in the (NFL draft's) top five or 10 in another year by coming out early,'' said Auburn coach Terry Bowden. ``I think it's best for Takeo to come back. I'll always love Takeo whether he leaves early or not, but I believe every great player like Takeo who stays makes a statement - for education and graduation and college football.''

What was good for Peyton Manning and Tim Duncan may not necessarily be good for Spikes, however. Bowden realizes that. But he also plans to remind his star linebacker what joys could await next season.

``When we recruited Takeo ... he felt Auburn was a place for him to reach his goals,'' Bowden said. ``Three years down the road, he knows that's true. I'm hoping there's a few more goals for him to achieve. I think we set the stage for a championship season next year.''

Bowden smiled.

``I've got a week to work on him.''

RAHIM'S LAMENT: Clemson sophomore linebacker Rahim Abdullah knew there was not much more that he and the defense and special teams units could do to rescue the Tigers. That said, his frustration with the Tigers offense was hard to suppress.

``We felt like it was all on our shoulders,'' said Abdullah, who accounted for two of Clemson's three blocked punts, two of which led to touchdowns. ``Every game we feel like its all on our shoulders. The offense goes out there but defense wins championships. We did our best to put our offense in a position to score. The defense can't stay on the field all game, so what can you do?''

Clemson special teams coach Rich Bisaccia said the coaching staff picked up a different Auburn punt protection scheme on Friday and quickly exploited it.

``They had been having some problems with it and when they made the change we sent everyone after the punter,'' Bisaccia said. ``It was just a great effort by Rahim and the rest of them, the kids did a great job.''

SIMMONS STARS: Clemson junior All-America linebacker Anthony Simmons had 14 tackles and four tackles for loss, a Clemson bowl game record.

Clemson's second all-time leading tackler also caused a Dameyune Craig fumble, recovered by senior Raymond White, on Auburn's opening possession when he blindsided the senior All-SEC second-team quarterback.

Simmons, who like Spikes is considering entering the NFL Draft, says his decision will come sometime next week.

HANDLING THE HEAT: After losing to Tennessee in the SEC championship game four weeks earlier, Bowden was concerned about the heat in a sold-out Georgia Dome.

There was much discussion this week among the Auburn side about carbohydrates, electrolytes and the dangers of dehydration. School officials even had larger fans installed along the sideline to keep the air circulating among the players.

Bowden said the strategy worked.

``We did not have the cramping today we had in the SEC title game,'' he said, ``although some of them were starting to perspire a lot.''

Of course this could have had something to do with the opponent. Clemson may wear orange but the Tigers are no Tennessee.

POOCH PUNTS: Freshman Chad Speck became the first Clemson player to score a touchdown on a blocked punt since the 1995 Western Carolina game. ... Spikes dedicated his MVP trophy to teammate and fellow linebacker Ricky Neal, who had a team-high 12 tackles in his final college game. ``Ricky doesn't get enough credit,'' Spikes said. ``Everybody knows, just looking at his stats and the way he plays, he plays with a lot of intensity.'' ... Auburn's win pushed the SEC to 5-0 this bowl season. ``We couldn't lose,'' Spikes said, ``or else the Georgia guys, Florida guys, they'd all be on our backs.'' ... Bowden demurred when asked if this year's 10-3 season marked his best coaching job. ``I'd give the players an A-plus,'' he said, `` but because of our problems on offense, I'd have to give myself a C.''