HOOVER — Junior tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen was pleased with Thursday’s news that Auburn University will allow the tradition of rolling the oak trees on Toomer’s Corner to continue this year, even if the trees aren’t in the best shape.

“It’s part of our tradition, it’s part of our spirit,” Lutzenkirchen said. “Hopefully, we can do whatever we can to keep those trees healthy as long as we can. If not, we’re just going to have to plant some more and over time the tradition will keep going.”

The trees were thought to be poisoned with herbicide Spike 80DF sometime after Auburn’s dramatic 28-27 win over Alabama in last year’s Iron Bowl.

Harvey Updyke was arrested and charged in connection with the poisoning in February.

Dr. Gary Keever, a horticulture professor at the university, said in a university statement that he and other members of the Trees Task Force found that “rolling the trees is not harmful.”

Tigers coach Gene Chizik said he feels the Alabama-Auburn rivalry will continue to be as strong as ever, regardless of what happens with the trees.

“The majority of the people out there – both sides – are really educated football people,” Chizik said. “They’re very in tune to the passion of the rivalry without going overboard. But as anything in life, you’re going to have some individuals who go over the limit.

“The tradition is going to live on, because that’s the tradition of the rivalry.”
Status check
Chizik doesn’t seem ready to give up on running back Mike Blakely playing this year.

“The process is still ongoing,” Chizik said. “I’ll let everybody know when it’s not.”

Blakely, who transferred to Auburn from Florida in May, received aid from the Gators but didn’t participate in spring practice due to a shoulder injury and was granted a full release from his scholarship.

Those factors led Auburn to believe he might have a chance of playing this year instead of sitting out the customary season after a transfer.

But Blakely tweeted Wednesday, “Appeal was denied! No football for me this up coming fall!!!!!”

“He came in with a recruiting class that we have high expectations for this year in terms of guys being able to contribute,” Chizik said. “That’s what we told him when we recruited him, and it certainly hasn’t changed any for us right now.”

Chizik also said running back Eric Smith’s “dismissal is permanent.”

Smith was dismissed from the team in February, but recent rumors indicated he might find a way back onto the squad.
Nearing the finish line
Chizik couldn’t say for sure whether Auburn’s new indoor practice facility would be ready for use when practice starts Aug. 3, but – “to the best of (his) knowledge” – it’s on track.

“They’re working around the clock. I just have to give everybody tons of credit,” Chizik said. “I hope (it’s ready). It appears it will be, and they’ve done a great job of sticking to the timeline.”

The $16.5-million project, which will include a 100-yard football field, is scheduled to be complete by the end of July.
Heir apparent?
Freshman quarterback Kiehl Frazier is already drawing rave reviews from some of his receivers.

The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder from Springdale, Ark., even reminds Lutzenkirchen a little of somebody.

“He looks like a miniature Cam Newton,” Lutzenkirchen said. “So we’ll see what he can do in the fall and see if he can hone up some of his fundamentals. And if he does, the coaches are going to give him a shot for sure.”

He’s even getting Newton’s reputation as a health threat for receivers’ fingertips.

“Kiehl has a very strong arm. He has a tight spiral on the ball,” wide receiver Emory Blake said. “Sometimes I’m like, ‘Take some off of it. It’s a slant route.’”