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Auburn Tigers

Auburn playmaker could come in unlikely form against Georgia

Jordan Cox

By Jordan Cox

Published:

Ricardo Louis, who burst onto the scene last season against Georgia with the “Prayer at Jordan-Hare” may again have a key role against the Bulldogs on Saturday night.

Auburn is in search of a playmaker this week as it travels to Athens in the wake of Duke Williams’ knee injury suffered last week against Texas A&M, and the Tigers will ask a myriad of guys to step up.

Nick Marshall and company face a Georgia defense hitting its stride under first-year coordinator Jeremy Pruitt. The Bulldogs rank fourth in the SEC in passing yards allowed.

The guy that could step up for Auburn between the hedges on Saturday night is the guy that was on the receiving end of the Tigers’ first miracle last season.

“It’s a big loss, but like every other position, somebody has to step up. Ricardo stepped up and made some plays for us,” offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee told AL.com. “That’s just what good teams have to do.”

Louis’ role has evolved over the course of the season. He was targeted by Marshall earlier in the season, but had problems with drops while senior Quan Bray caught some big passes and emerged as Auburn’s No. 3 receiver behind Williams and Sammie Coates.

Louis has emerged as a big-play threat for Auburn, highlighted most recently by his 39-yard diving catch in a frantic comeback attempt against Texas A&M.

“I was just trying to make a play for the team and give us a chance to win,” Louis told AL.com after Saturday’s loss to the Aggies.

He may not be the first target, but Louis has the proven track record of big plays during his time on the Plains.

Williams and Coates have been the obvious deep-ball threats. Coates ranks eighth nationally in yards per catch.

Louis is more lightning in a bottle, however. He can strike with a big play through the air or on the ground at any point and can change the complexion of a game, such as he did against Kansas State with a 40-yard touchdown catch or against South Carolina with a 75-yard jet sweep.

“Ricardo has a unique skill set,” head coach Gus Malzahn said. “He catches the ball well. He’s a deep threat. He’s gotten better in the intermediate routes. He’s like a running back after he catches the ball.”

Jordan Cox

After living in Birmingham, Ala., Jordan left the ground zero of SEC Nation to head south to Florida to tell the unique stories of the renowned tradition of SEC football. In his free time, his mission is to find the best locales around.

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