08/31 at 12:51 AM

Return boosts Dunn
It didn’t take long for Robert Dunn to escape the doghouse.

The Auburn senior was demoted to fourth-team wide receiver four days before Saturday’s game, and head coach Tommy Tuberville told reporters he was sending Dunn a message to perform better in practice.

Dunn wasted no time showing how well he could perform in a game. He returned a first-quarter punt 66 yards for Auburn’s second touchdown.

Dunn said special-teams coach Eddie Gran delivered a familiar pep talk just before that kick: Don’t dance. Run straight ahead.

“Coach always says the same thing to me every punt,” Dunn said with a laugh. “Just go to it.”

Dunn did exactly that, slicing straight upfield through a seam in the Warhawks’ coverage. He credited veterans Ben Tate and Tim Hawthorne and freshman wideout Darvin Adams with key blocks; those plays left him with just punter Scott Love to beat.

“They set me up, and it was just me and the punter after that,” he said.

Dunn dodged Love and was off to the races.

The score was the first punt return for a touchdown by an Auburn player since Robert Baker took a punt back in 1996. The touchdown snapped a 144-game streak without a punt-return touchdown; the longest in the nation, according to Auburn media relations.

Apparently, the big play was all it took to put Dunn back in the coaches’ good graces on offense: He played at wide receiver on Auburn’s next offensive series.

Freshmen make impact
It didn’t take long to make it clear: Auburn’s 2008 signing class is ready to make an impact.

A whopping 11 true freshmen played Saturday, according to the official statistics.

Tailback Eric Smith probably had the best day. Smith finished with 66 yards on nine carries.

Four freshman defensive backs also played: cornerbacks Neiko Thorpe, D’Antoine Hood and Drew Cole and safety Christian Thompson. Thorpe, Auburn’s third corner, played extensively; he finished with a team-high seven tackles and broke up two passes. The others combined for five tackles.

Linebacker Spencer Pybus made the biggest single play of the day for the freshman class: Pybus recovered a fumble on the opening kickoff of the second half, giving Auburn possession on the ULM 33 and setting up the Tigers’ first offensive touchdown, a 3-yard run by Brad Lester.

Injury report
Quarterback Kodi Burns left the game in the third quarter and did not return. Tuberville said Burns received stitches for a cut on his leg; the sophomore’s
status for next week’s game against Southern Miss is unknown.

“Kodi cut his leg pretty bad,” Tuberville said. “We’ll have to wait and see.”

Freshman receiver Philip Pierre-Louis was injured on the opening kickoff; senior receiver James Swinton was hurt one play later, on AU’s first play from scrimmage.

Both were diagnosed with knee injuries; Tuberville said Pierre-Louis “doesn’t look good, knee-wise,” but said the freshman’s injury was officially a sprain for now. Swinton’s status is “the same,” according to Tuberville.

Fullback John Douglas also injured his knee. Linebacker Merrill Johnson injured his hamstring.

“It wasn’t a pretty night in terms of injuries,” Tuberville said.

Tailback Tristan Davis (ankle) did not play.

“Tristan could have played, but he felt a little weak in his ankle so we held him out,” Tuberville said. “He should be able to go next week.”

Etc…
Auburn is 7-0 all-time against ULM and 14-0 against current members of the Sun Belt Conference. … Saturday’s sellout pushed Auburn past the 20-million fan mark for the history of Jordan-Hare Stadium. … WR Rod Smith had five catches, moving him to 13th on AU’s career receiving list.

Best of the Day
Best timing: After Auburn’s offense was forced to punt on its first possession, DE Antonio Coleman forced a fumble on Louisiana-Monroe’s first play. DE Michael Goggans picked up the ball and scored Auburn’s first touchdown.

Best luck: Auburn’s defense preserved its shutout after ULM kickers Radi Jabour and Jeremy Gener each missed field goals wide right.

Best debut: Punter Clinton Durst, playing in his first-ever football game, averaged 43.4 yards on seven punts.

Worst of the Day
Worst start: Auburn sustained injuries to WR Philip Pierre-Louis and WR James Swinton on consecutive plays to start the game.

Worst three quarters: Auburn had a total of 28 yards passing at the end of the third quarter.

Worst hands: ULM defenders dropped two possible interceptions.

Unsung Hero
WR Darvin Adams
The true freshman made a key block to spring Robert Dunn for a punt-return touchdown, and also recorded a special-teams tackle.