[Tuck4Bama]

AUBURN -- When Mario Fannin returns to Jordan-Hare Stadium this weekend, his wobbly debut against South Florida will be forgotten.

Running backs coach Eddie Gran promised that Fannin's two fumbles are forgiven and the redshirt running back will start anew with a clean slate.

"After the game, I was just making sure that I was able to gain their trust still and be able to play," Fannin said. "Coach Gran talked to me and said it's forgotten."

The news was a relief for Fannin, who feared that his two turnovers would land him in the doghouse just as his college career was beginning to take off. Instead, coaches have indicated that he could be an even bigger part of the offense when Auburn plays Mississippi State on Saturday at 11:30 a.m.

"I was (worried), because that's a major thing, turning over the ball," Fannin said.

Coaches were worried, too -- about losing the game and losing Fannin.
Head coach Tommy Tuberville said Fannin didn't return to the game after his second fumble in the third quarter because coaches were afraid another gaffe in his first game might wreck his confidence.

"He showed some promise," offensive coordinator Al Borges said. "You can't take the fumbles away -- they're part of the game -- but if you eliminate that, he really ran the football well, which we knew he could do."

Fumbles won't sideline Fannin- al.com