11/02 at 09:40 PM

Auburn bucked a trend against Ole Miss on Saturday.

Freshman quarterback Kiehl Frazier, who had seen his snaps ranging up in the dozens lately — reaching 25 against Arkansas — saw less than 10 plays against the Rebels.

Part of that was the plan going in, offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn said.

The other part was, once starter Clint Moseley got into a rhythm, Malzahn didn’t want to mess with it.

“We just kind of went with it,” Malzahn said. “But Kiehl has his package, and he’ll be ready. Each game will be a little bit different — whatever they’re taking away or whatever advantage we can see by using either one of those guys.

“But it definitely helped Clint get in a rhythm.”

Frazier rushed four times for 8 yards against the Rebels, his lowest output since a one-rush, 3-yard performance against Clemson on Sept. 17.

Moseley said the continuity Saturday helped him get comfortable.

“I ended up staying in there a little last Saturday,” Moseley said. “It just helps your rhythm as a quarterback. It helped out.”

Friendly foes
Freshman defensive tackle Gabe Wright knows all about Georgia running back Isaiah Crowell.

The two were teammates at Columbus, Ga.’s Carver High.

“I’ve been hitting Isaiah every spring. Except two,” Wright said. “I know some of his talents, I know some of his traits. I’m sure that’ll help.”

Crowell, who has been suspended for Georgia’s game against New Mexico State this week, has rushed for 689 yards and four touchdowns on the year.

Wright said he’ll be in the ear of defensive coordinator Ted Roof when it comes to gameplanning for the UGA back before their meeting Nov. 12.

“I’m going to tell Coach Roof what I think gets to Isaiah,” Wright said. “I know best.”

Coates getting closer
Freshman wideout Sammie Coates is getting closer to being able to contribute for the Tigers, according to wide receivers coach Trooper Taylor.

But he’s still feeling some ill effects from the foot injury that cost him the season’s first nine games.

“He’s got some deals with his calf. When you’re in a cast, the muscle atrophies on its own,” Taylor said. “Until he gets that back … but as far as catching balls and doing things like that, he’s done a really good job in practice.

“I tease him all the time. He’s another one of those limos with no gas. He looks pretty in his uniform, but I don’t get to drive him. I just get to look at him.”

Coates, who underwent surgery in the offseason, dressed out against Ole Miss for the first time all season, but did not play.

Taylor said the decision over whether to burn the freshman’s redshirt comes down to head coach Gene Chizik, but he feels it’s unlikely.

“There will definitely have to be some injuries that come up for him to probably have to do that,” Taylor said.

Owens’ timetable ‘week-by-week’
Chizik said he expects freshman defensive end LaDarius Owens to miss next Saturday’s game with the lower leg injury that has shelved him for the past three weeks.

Owens, who moved from linebacker to defensive end over the summer, has recorded eight tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss this year.

“It’ll be week-by-week,” Chizik said. “We’ll keep our eye on it and see where it goes from here.”