Nov. 29, 2017
By Greg Ostendorf
AuburnTigers.com
AUBURN, Ala. ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" The Auburn offensive line was recognized as one of three finalists for the Joe Moore Award on Wednesday.
The award, the only major college football award to honor a group or unit, annually recognizes the nation's most outstanding offensive line unit that displays toughness, effort, teamwork, consistency, technique and finishing.
Auburn's offensive line, coached by Herb Hand, has helped pave the way for Kerryon Johnson ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" the SEC's leading rusher with 1,276 yards and 17 touchdownsÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" despite suffering multiple injuries up front and having to start six different combinations on the offensive line this season. Senior Austin Golson has started at four different positions.
"What Coach Hand has done with this group has been impressive," said Cole Cubelic, former Auburn offensive lineman and Chairman of the Joe Moore Award voting committee. "Seven different lineups. Multiple injuries. They have improved vastly over the course of the season. This offensive line is physical, finishes & operates well together. They have been a lot of fun to watch."
Proud of our UNIT of #AuburnMen.
We are honored to be in consideration for the best award in all of college football.
We aren't done yet.#WarEagle pic.twitter.com/QH9UuDozWT- Herb Hand (@CoachHand) November 29, 2017
The winner will be recognized in mid-December and the announcement will take place during a coordinated, surprise, on-campus presentation at the winning school. The trophy, which weighs more than 500 pounds and is more than five feet wide by almost seven feet tall, is the largest trophy in college football history.
The other two finalists for the award are Alabama and Notre Dame.
Greg Ostendorf is a Senior Writer for AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @greg_ostendorf