Auburn football: Shaun Shivers looks like next big thing among Tigers’ history of smaller backs

Markeith Cooper, Tre Smith

Two more running backs on the smaller size left their mark on Auburn football.

Markeith Cooper was listed at 5-7, 175. He arrived from Miami with the skill set the Tigers wanted in a multi-purpose back/receiver. He was a high school sprinter and wrestler and did just about everything on the football field.

But what many remember Cooper most for was his nickname: Lizard.

His career numbers at Auburn were OK: 479 rushing yards, 650 receiving yards, 1,077 kickoff return yards and 376 yards on punt returns. He scored eight career touchdowns.

Then you have Tre Smith. Again, not real small, but not real big, either. He was listed at 5-10.

From Venice High School in Florida, Smith had his best season as a freshman in 2002. He ran for 454 yards and three touchdowns and added 101 receiving yards and a touchdown.

But it was the 2002 Iron Bowl that made Tre Smith a name Auburn football fans won’t forget.

With Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown sidelined with injuries, Smith was thrust into the lead back role and man, did he produce.

His 51-yard run in the first half led the Tigers to their first score. He ended the game with 126 yards on 25 carries as Auburn beat Alabama, 17-7, in Tuscaloosa.

Alabama had won 3 of the last 4 meetings between the in-state rivals and the 2002 win started a streak of six consecutive wins against the Crimson Tide.