HOOVER, Ala. | With Austin Golson still nursing a knee injury, Devonte Danzey is set to start his final Auburn game at center in the Birmingham Bowl.

“My last game as an Auburn Tiger and I’m really excited to be starting this game,” Danzey said. “You always have to be prepared no matter where they put you. If they were to put me at tight end, I’d have to be ready for it. You can’t miss a lick. You have to practice like a pro and when it’s your time, it’s time to go.”

Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said Golson is available to play against Memphis.

“Austin's practiced since he's been back,” Malzahn said. “He went full pads yesterday. He went with shells today and he moved around pretty good. He could play if needed.”

This will be Danzey’s third straight start at center. He started a game at right guard earlier this season and comes into the game with 10 career starts since joining the Tigers out of Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College in 2013.

Danzey is determined to end his Auburn career with a win.

“It means so much to the seniors to win in our last go-around and give those young guys some momentum going into next season,” Danzey said. “Last year we didn’t have any momentum going into this season. We had big hype but not much momentum.

“It’s exciting that it’s the last one for me. Everybody has been getting after it and it means something to our players.”

On the search for a new defensive coordinator…

“As far as our defensive coordinator search, it's going very well. We should have someone hired in the near future.”

On the team’s practices Saturday in Auburn and Sunday in Hoover…

“We tried to go very physical before the break. We had a full-padded practice yesterday, it was very physical. We felt like we had to get that back. We gave them four days off so the guys really responded. We had a pretty physical day today, even though we were in shells our offensive and defensive lines really competed and got after it. You can tell they're chomping at the bit and ready to play and that's encouraging.”

More on bowl practices…

“Before the break we had some really good practices. We really focused on our young guys getting those guys some work and keeping our old guys sharp. Since we've been back it's mainly game plan and getting ready for Memphis. From a coaches' standpoint, these bowl games are really dependent on how much your team really wants to play and really wants to win and I've been very encouraged with our guys since they've been back. They're very focused. We've had two excellent days of practice. It's a tribute to our seniors and our other guys too. It's going to take that against this team.”

On quarterbacks Sean White and Jeremy Johnson…

“Offensively, the quarterbacks have performed well in practice. We have not made a decision on who's going to start. You could see both of them.”

On walk-on WR Gray King…

“Gray King did have an injury. He probably will not play but we expect everyone else to play.”

On the defense…

“As far as out on the field defensively, our seniors are really stepping up on the defensive side. Coach Thompson and the rest of the defensive guys are doing an excellent job of getting the guys ready. They feel very prepared.”

Our guys have had two very good practices since we've been back from the break, very spirited practices. I've very encouraged as far as that goes.

On beating Memphis in the Birmingham Bowl…

“I think it's very important. Anytime you have a bowl and you can win it gives you momentum. These seniors, too, we want to win this thing for those guys. We've got a very big challenge. Memphis is a very good football team. I think everybody knows that. Our conference opponent, Ole Miss, they beat them and they beat them soundly. That'll definitely get your attention. I know they're looking forward to playing an SEC team here in Birmingham.”