Louisiana-Monroe-Auburn Preview

After overcoming double-digit deficits in their previous two games, Auburn will look to get off to better start against an opponent it has handled easily over the years. If quarterback Cameron Newton continues to excel, that shouldn't be too difficult.

The No. 10 Tigers look to open 5-0 for the second consecutive season Saturday when they host Louisiana-Monroe, which they have dominated in winning all seven meetings.

Newton led Auburn back after it trailed 20-7 in the second quarter against then-No. 12 South Carolina last Saturday, throwing for 158 yards on 16-of-21 passing and rushing for a career-high 176 yards while accounting for five touchdowns in a 35-27 win.

That performance came one week after the junior helped the Tigers erase a 17-3 halftime deficit versus Clemson, as he threw for 203 yards and two TDs on just seven receptions, and rushed for 81 yards and a score in a 27-24 victory.

Newton leads the SEC with a 182.5 passer rating and tops the conference with 485 rushing yards.

"You can just read Cam's numbers and they speak for themselves," Auburn coach Gene Chizik said. "He is a competitor. Cameron is a very humble guy who just comes to work every day. I think he is getting better as a quarterback and a team leader and a guy who can manage our offense every week."

Newton was named SEC offensive player of the week for the second time this season after the win over the Gamecocks.

"I think I could have played better," he said. "All the credit goes to the offensive line for stepping up to the challenge. The defense and the offensive line did what they were supposed to do and it showed statistically."

Newton isn't the only player Louisiana-Monroe needs to worry about in the Tigers backfield. Freshman Michael Dyer is ninth in the SEC with 312 rushing yards and ran for 100 last week.

Auburn is averaging 278 yards on the ground, and the multi-talented Newton may also put the ball in the air often against a Warhawks squad that is allowing 284 passing yards per contest, seventh worst in the FBS.

The Tigers won the teams' last matchup 34-0 on Aug. 30, 2008, their second straight shutout in the series. Auburn is 15-0 against Sun Belt Conference opponents.

Despite all of that, Newton isn't taking Louisiana-Monroe lightly.

"Absolutely. We can never overlook any team no matter how good or how bad they are," Newton said. "Louisiana-Monroe is an excellent team and we're not going to overlook them."

Auburn's Mike Blanc was named SEC defensive lineman of the week after recording a season-high seven tackles against South Carolina.

The Warhawks (1-2) defeated Southeastern Louisiana 21-20 in their home opener last Saturday.

Louisiana-Monroe was led by quarterback Kolton Browning, who compiled 324 yards of offense with two touchdowns through the air and another on the ground.

Louisiana-Monroe is 0-18 against ranked opponents.