Auburn junior defensive tackle Nick Fairley will not be suspended for the Tigers’ season finale against No. 11 Alabama, the Southeastern Conference announced Tuesday.
Fairley garnered attention following No. 2 Auburn’s 49-31 win against Georgia this past weekend for multiple questionable hits on Georgia freshman quarterback Aaron Murray.
The league reviewed the tape and did not find cause to suspend Fairley, and he will be eligible when the Tigers face No. 11 Alabama in the teams’ Iron Bowl rivalry Nov. 26.
One particular third quarter play saw Fairley lower his head and spear Murray from behind well after Murray had released a pass. Fairley was flagged with a personal foul for roughing the passer.
“We’re handling the matter internally with the institution,” SEC associate commissioner Charles Bloom told the Birmingham News.
The SEC set a precedent for post-game disciplinary action earlier this season. The league suspended South Carolina senior linebacker Rodney Paulk for the first half of the Gamecocks’ game against Vanderbilt for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Kentucky junior wide receiver Randall Cobb.
The SEC also suspended Mississippi State freshman linebacker Chris Hughes for the Bulldogs’ entire game against Kentucky after a flagrant foul on Alabama-Birmingham senior wide receiver Frantrell Forrest.
Fairley has grown into Auburn’s defensive stalwart this season, while junior quarterback Cam Newton has made a push for Heisman Trophy consideration on offense.
Fairley has earned SEC Player of the Week honors four times this season.
He has tallied 47 total tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and an interception, securing his place on watch lists for several postseason awards.
Against LSU on Oct. 23, the Mobile, Ala., native and Copiah-Lincoln Junior College transfer was a constant problem for the LSU offensive line. He finished the game, a 24-17 win for Auburn, with six total tackles, including 3.5 for loss and 2.5 sacks.
 
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