Player of the Week honors 'meant a lot' to Brandon Council
AUBURN– Brandon Council was named Offensive Lineman of the game against Mercer on Saturday night.
It’s a big honor for the left guard who has overcome a lot to make it to his Super Senior season.
“It meant a lot,” Council said. “Honestly, I didn’t expect it because I don’t come in everyday trying to do that. I want to do what’s best for the team and I’m going to work hard just like my guys around me work hard… Personally, I think the whole O-line deserves it, because we played a heck of a game together.”
Council has been battling multiple injuries during his career at Auburn, but said that he feels healthier and faster than ever. After losing 12 pounds, he said that his knees don’t hurt like they used to and he can feel a “pep” in his step again.
“I just did a lot of rehab in my past injuries just building up- I’m just trying to stay as healthy as possible,” Council said. “I just work every day. I’m always in the training room- first in and last out- trying to get back into fighting shape.”
Against Mercer, Auburn rushed for almost 300 yards and had five rushing touchdowns. The team averaged seven yards per carry. The offensive line had just one penalty- a false start. Council praised the overall communication within the O-line, saying that it has improved tremendously.
“That’s the biggest difference as a unit,” Council said. “You could make a call, but if we’re like ‘it’s this, ‘we’re communicating really quickly on the line again. As long as we’re on the same page, everything checks out fine. Communication is probably one of our biggest improvements that we’ve seen on the line this year.”
When it comes to playing on a multi-quarterback offense, Council says that his job, along with the rest of the line, stays the same.
“My opinion is it’s the same,” Council said. “The quarterback is going to set up and we have to protect him, it just comes down to that. There’s no difference. They’re both great quarterbacks and we as an O-line just have to execute.”
