Malzahn: Pettway out against Alabama A&M, White uncertain

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) Auburn's injury problems continue to deplete an offense that produced only one touchdown against Georgia, with the biggest playmaker still sidelined and quarterback Sean White questionable.

Coach Gus Malzahn said Tuesday that the Southeastern Conference's leading rusher Kamryn Pettway will miss his second straight game Saturday for the 18th-ranked Tigers against FCS opponent Alabama A&M with a left leg injury. He said he's hoping Pettway will be able to return for the regular season finale against No. 1 Alabama.

Malzahn is taking a wait-and-see approach before determining White's status against Alabama A&M.

White played in the 13-7 loss to Georgia and the second half against Vanderbilt despite an injury to his right, throwing shoulder and struggled badly against the Bulldogs. He said Sunday night that he aggravated the injury during the Georgia game.

''It'll be a kind of day to day, week to week deal,'' Malzahn said. ''Not ready to make a call one way or the other with him. We'll play him when he's healthy.''

White sat out the first half against Vanderbilt because of the injury before coming in and leading the Tigers to the win. He came into the Georgia game as the SEC's top-rated passer. Auburn trailed 13-10 at the half against Vandy without him.

Against Georgia, White was 6-of-20 passing for 27 yards and had an interception returned for a touchdown while the offense produced just 164 total yards. Those numbers include a handful of dropped passes, too, but his first nine attempts after halftime were either intercepted or incomplete.

White's only completions in the second half were two 4-yarders on the final drive. Backup John Franklin III didn't play in the half.

Malzahn said Auburn coaches talked to White at halftime and he could tell by '' that look in his eye'' that the quarterback wanted to play.

''I would have liked to have known if he was worse,'' Malzahn said. ''It would have been good to know. Moving forward, he'll communicate better. He's a tough guy and he's trying to win the game. It's a one-score game, and he felt like he could do it or he'd have said something.''

Those are just the two biggest of a litany of injuries to offensive players.

No. 2 rusher Kerryon Johnson has been nursing an ankle injury, but still gained 99 yards and scored the only offensive touchdown against Georgia. Freshman Malik Miller has missed the last five games with a knee injury, but Malzahn said he is practicing this week.

Safety Johnathan Ford is working at running back, where he started his college career.

Running back Stanton Truitt hurt an ankle early in the Georgia game and will also miss the Alabama A&M game. Malzahn said he's hoping he'll be able to return against Alabama.

H-back Chandler Cox will miss the Alabama A&M game with a leg injury. Receiver/punt returner Marcus Davis is out for the final two regular season games with a shoulder injury.

---

More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org