[Tuck4Bama]

AUBURN - It was the longest punt return in the Tommy Tuberville Era at Auburn, and all Robert Dunn got for his trouble was some good-natured ribbing from his teammates.

They were "talking about how I got hawked down."

Being hawked down is the technical term for being run down and caught, and that's not something a punt returner wants on his resume. A better block down field would have sprung Dunn to go the distance, the game film showed, but the 57-yard return against Kansas State still set up a field goal. It also has Auburn feeling good about its kick return game heading into Saturday's game against South Florida.

Dunn, who had a team-high 35-yard return last year, said Saturday's return was "two years in the making. That was, hopefully, a sign of big things to come."

Dunn's 57-yarder is the best in Tuberville's nine years at Auburn.
Carnell Williams' 50-yard return in 2004 now stands as No.2. Little-used Joe Walkins returned one for 48 in 2001.

Special teams coach Eddie Gran has devoted more time to kicking than normal this fall camp - but almost all the extra work was used covering kickoffs. Punt returns were not as scary - at least not when considering the NCAA's new kickoff rule and that Auburn started a rookie field goal kicker and rookie punter.

Dunn trying to make Tigers' special teams more special- al.com