Etheridge released from hospital, expected to make full recovery

AUBURN — Junior safety Zac Etheridge was released from the hospital Monday, and head coach Gene Chizik said Etheridge is expected to make a full recovery.

"We're happy to report that Zac has been released from the hospital and our medical staff is optimistic he will make a full recovery," Chizik said in a statement released Monday afternoon.

The statement did not address the nature of Etheridge's injuries or whether he would play football again.

Etheridge was injured Saturday when he collided with Auburn defensive end Antonio Coleman while attempting to tackle Ole Miss running back Rodney Scott.

He lay motionless on the field for several minutes before being taken away on a stretcher and transported from the stadium in an ambulance.

Ethridge's Facebook page showed pictures of him from his hospital bed. He was wearing a neck brace, but was smiling and surrounded by family.

-- PLAYERS HONORED: Auburn senior cornerback Walt McFadden was named the SEC's defensive player of the week and senior defensive end Antonio Coleman was named defensive lineman of the week, the league announced Monday.

McFadden had two crucial interceptions and tied a career high with five tackles in Auburn's 33-20 victory over Ole Miss Saturday. He returned his first interception 29 yards for a touchdown. The second pick sealed Auburn's win in the fourth quarter.

Coleman had five tackles, including a career-high-tying four for loss, and two sacks. He also had four quarterback hurries, a forced fumble and a blocked PAT that was returned by Demond Washington for a two-point score.

On the season, Coleman leads the SEC with 11 tackles for loss and has a team-high 5.5 sacks. He has 20 career sacks, fifth-best in Auburn history and only one behind Auburn defensive line coach and former All-American Tracy Rocker.

-- ON THE TUBE: Auburn's game at Georgia on Nov. 14 will kick off at 6 p.m. and be televised by either ESPN or ESPN2.

The network will decide on which channel to air the game after this weekend's games have been completed. The kickoff time will remain unchanged.

Auburn has appeared on the ESPN family of networks — which includes ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU — six times this season.

The game will also mark Auburn's eighth night game of the season, tying the school record set in 2007.

-- BOUNCING BACK: Sophomore linebacker Eltoro Freeman had a forgettable first quarter, punctuated by a breakdown in covering an Ole Miss running back on a pass out of the backfield.

But he responded to the mistakes with maturity and poise, said defensive coordinator Ted Roof.

"That was a major step for him," Roof said. "In the past, when he would make a mistake, he'd really get down on himself. Part of it is growing up and understanding that we're all going to make mistakes. But it's not if you make them, it's how you handle them. He took a major step (Saturday) in that process, and I was really proud of him."