[Tuck4Bama]

AUBURN - Auburn tailback Mario Fannin is still trying to get the handle on being a full-time running back after a high school career of being a do-it-all quarterback.

His running stats say he's well on his way.

His fumbles suggest he has a ways to go. That and being in coach Tommy Tuberville's doghouse for the turnovers.

Fannin is second in rushing for the Tigers, but fumbles against South Florida and Mississippi State caused him to be yanked from both games.
He thinks he knows what is wrong. Instead of carrying the football like an SEC running back, he says he may be carrying it in a more casual manner - like he did when he ran and passed for more than 4,000 yards when things came so easily his last two years at Lovejoy High School in Hampton, Ga.

"It's a bad habit," Fannin said. "At quarterback you can hold the ball out while you are running. All through high school that's what I did, and then I make the transition to running back and you just can't do the same thing. You've got to basically switch it up and hold the ball better."

Fannin's three fumbles, which equal the number of fumbles Carnell Williams had in his career, have trumped his yards. The fact two more tailbacks - Brad Lester and Tristan Davis - could be rejoining the depth chart makes him want to hold on even more.

Auburn hopes Lester can clear his academic suspension soon and be reinstated. Davis is probably a couple of weeks away from recovering from surgery on a broken toe. Fannin has 102 rushing yards, but sure-handed Ben Tate leads Auburn with 234 yards.

Fannin looks for fix for fumbling- al.com