Cox puts mental toughness on display in win over Florida

By Robert Rousseau  |   Tuesday, October 02, 2007  |  Comments( 4 )

Auburn Tigers
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Entering this season, Auburn Tigers quarterback Brandon Cox needed to answer a lot of questions. After a promising sophomore year, Cox hadn't matured as expected as a junior in 2006. That said, there were plenty of reasons for Cox's struggles last season -- his own injuries, an inconsistent offensive line, and Kenny Irons' inability to stay healthy were just some of them.

This year, Cox, thanks largely to very poor execution from the O-line, didn't play well in the opener against Kansas State. Then, Cox played somewhat better in a loss to South Florida. After, he was downright terrible in a loss against Mississippi State, prompting head coach Tommy Tuberville to pull him in favor of freshman Kodi Burns until the final drive.

Saying it bluntly, when a senior leader gets pulled in favor of a true freshman and has his own fans booing him loudly, that's usually enough to cause a college kid to fall apart.

However, Cox has dealt with big-time adversity before. He has coped with the aftereffects of myasthenia gravis, a muscle disease that he has to take antibiotics to fight daily. Additionally, Cox has battled injuries, constant criticism and inconsistent offensive play.

With all that said, taking on the defending national champion Florida Gators (in The Swamp) probably didn't seem like a fun task for Cox. However, the young QB showed guts and acted as if the rest of 2007 hadn't even occurred.

Cox completed 17 of 26 passes for 227 yards in the contest, at a stadium many believed the Gators simply couldn't be beaten in. Yet Cox & Co. -- including wide receiver Rod Smith (nine catches, 102 yards) -- played their best game of the season. With all the adversity surrounding him coming in, Cox hit on 10 of 12 passes in the first half in a game where they had to start strong. Further, when the Gators' defenders got in his face, Cox stayed poised and found ways to experience success.

In other words, Florida's four sacks and attempts at pressure didn't stop Cox from going 2 of 2 on the game-winning field goal drive in the fourth quarter.

So as fans and media chronicle all of the great upsets that occurred this past Saturday, there will likely be many feel-good stories to be told. Are there any better ones than what Cox was able to accomplish against Florida? With all of the youth around him, there will certainly be speed bumps as the season continues on, but one thing is for sure: In one fell swoop, Cox has gone from villain to hero and has people believing they might finally see the potential shown in his sophomore season translate to production on the gridiron this year.

There isn't a player in college football who's mentally stronger than Brandon Cox, period.
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About Robert Rousseau

Robert Rousseau is a sports writer that has been published in a variety of print and online venues. He’s been writing for RealFootball365.com for almost three years now. When Rousseau isn’t writing about college football he tends to be penning mixed martial arts pieces for MMAFighting.com or...
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CommentsComments: 4  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
anik		03:14 AM
10/02/2007
the issue with him getting booed is that the ones that booed him have been around for the recent good times, Campbell got booed...
No.2
Nicole Matoushek		10:42 AM
10/03/2007
Go Brandon!!! You are my inspiration! I also have Myasthenia Gravis and cannot believe how well you are doing! You fill my heart...
No.3
Donna W.		04:15 PM
10/03/2007
As a fellow myasthenic, I admire Brandon's toughness and fortitude! He is an inspiration to all young people (and older people,...
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