Groves named SEC DL of the Week

Auburn senior defensive end Quentin Groves has been named the Southeastern Conference's Defensive Lineman of the Week, the conference office announced Monday.

Groves had five tackles, three for losses, including two quarterback sacks and forced a fumble during Auburn's 23-13 season-opening victory over Kansas State.

With Auburn clinging to a 16-13 lead with just over a minute remaining, Groves sacked Wildcat quarterback Josh Freeman, causing a fumble which was returned 34 yards for a touchdown by Antonio Coleman, sealing the Auburn victory.

Groves, who was named to preseason watch lists for the Lombardi Award, the Bednarik Award, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Hendricks Award, now has 25 career sacks and is just one sack shy of the Auburn all-time record for career sacks held by Gerald Robinson (1982-85).

It marks the third time Groves has been honored with an SEC weekly award. In 2006, Groves was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week after collecting three quarterback sacks during Auburn's 27-17 victory over Florida, and was the league's Defensive Lineman of the Week after finishing with two sacks and two forced fumbles in Auburn's 22-15 victory at Alabama.

Groves and Auburn return to action Saturday when the Tigers host South Florida (1-0) at 8 p.m. CT in a game that will be televised nationally by ESPN2.