The junior from Trussville, Ala., threw for what would end up being a career-best 342 yards in the 2005 season-opener against Georgia Tech, but four interceptions doomed Cox. Auburn lost 23-14. The following week, Cox began a stretch of five straight wins, starting with a win over Mississippi State, as Auburn rebounded to finish the regular season 9-2, 7-1 SEC.
"My first start against Georgia Tech didn't go so well," Cox said. "Second game (a 28-0 win over Mississippi State), I didn't have any turnovers and our offense started clicking. It was a lot of pressure put on myself, but going out and getting my feet wet and making mistakes and learning from them was the biggest thing.