Auburn loses running back to broken leg

AUBURN, Ala., Oct. 21 (UPI) -- Auburn tailback Carnell "Cadillac" Williams, the leading rusher in the Southeastern Conference, will miss the rest of the 2002 season after breaking the fibula in his left leg in Saturday's 30-23 overtime loss at Florida.

Williams, a sophomore, went down on the Tigers' third possession of the game.

"He cracked a bone in his leg, and it will be operated on Monday," said Auburn Coach Tommy Tuberville. "He will be out for about 12-15 weeks."

Williams carried just four times for seven yards before the injury, bringing his season total to 787 yards, with 10 touchdowns on 141 attempts.

Sophomore Ronnie Brown stepped in Saturday and ran 22 times for 163 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught a 54-yard scoring pass from Jason Campbell that forced overtime.

"After I saw Carnell go down, I knew someone was going to have to step up and have a big game," Brown said. "That is all I was trying to do. After I saw Carnell go down, as good as he is and as talented a player as he is, I knew for us to have a chance I would have to step up. "That's what I tried to do."