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T MARK TAUSCHER #65

6' 3" • 316 lbs. • Wisconsin

Exp: 10th NFL Season, 10th Packers Season
Age: 32
Acquired: Draft 2000 (7a) (FA-09)
Current Status: Active Roster

2008 Bio:

Name is pronounced TAU-sher
Is coming off second reconstructive knee surgery of his career, having gotten hurt in Week 14 vs. Houston last season
In 2007 NFC Divisional playoff, held Seattle’s All-Pro DE Patrick Kerney without a sack or tackle.
Played 94.5 percent of the offensive snaps in 2007, tops among all Packers offensive players
Successfully returned from a 2002 knee injury to start 57 consecutive games before a groin injury forced him to miss five games in 2006
In 52-3 win vs. New Orleans in October 2005, was flagged for his first holding penalty in six NFL seasons
Saw his first NFL reception, a 1-yard touchdown catch on Christmas Day 2005 vs. the Bears, negated by a Packers holding penalty
Holds a master's degree in educational administration and continues his graduate studies through UW-Madison; in 2005 spent five weeks in England, his research including work on the re-election campaigns of two British Parliament members as well as teaching a portion of an American Studies course at Dulwich College
In 2005, established the ‘TRIFECTA Foundation,’ an acronym for Tauscher’s Reading Initiative For Every Child To Achieve, its mission to benefit literacy and education in Wisconsin. With Associated Bank, the foundation already has raised more than $110,000

Pro Summary

Signed by the Packers on Oct. 12, 2009, after successfully rehabilitating a surgically repaired knee for the second time in his career
In the final year of his contract in 2008, injured his left knee in Week 14 vs. Houston (Dec. 7), missed the remainder of the season, had surgery on Jan. 15, and was out of football until completing his rehab
Will look to resume the right tackle spot he held for his first nine seasons in the league after being drafted by Green Bay in the seventh round in 2000
Steady, veteran leader on the offensive line who, along with fellow tackle Chad Clifton, has formed one of the most experienced and reliable tackle tandems in the NFL
Has bounced back from injury before -- a significant groin injury that snapped a 57-game starting streak in 2006 and sidelined him for five games, and a knee reconstruction in 2002 that preceded that starting streak
Was named the team’s Ed Block Courage Award winner in 2008, following a banner 2007 season in which he played in all 16 games, topping all Packers offensive players by playing 94.5 percent of the offensive snaps as Green Bay had the league’s second-ranked offense
Turned in a remarkable performance in the NFC Divisional playoff vs. Seattle (Jan. 12), holding Seattle’s All-Pro defensive end Patrick Kerney not only without a sack, but without a single tackle. The outing came after the match-up had been hyped all week, as Kerney had dominated Washington’s offensive tackles in the Wild Card round
A popular home-state hero who has started 120 NFL games, an impressive total for the former Wisconsin Badger and late-round draft pick
Helped the Packers set a franchise record for fewest sacks allowed (14) in 2004
The football fates initially provided the Wisconsin native with an instant opportunity when he was called upon to start the Packers' first three preseason games as a rookie in 2000 after back problems sidelined veteran right tackle Earl Dotson
He soon found himself again in that role when Dotson went down with a year-ending back injury on the second offensive play in Week 2
Proceeded from there to make a profound impression on the Packers' coaching staff, playing so well over the course of the season that he was accorded NFL all-rookie honors
Joined Clifton in the starting lineup during the 2000 season to give the Packers their first pair of rookie starting offensive tackles in 48 years; not since rookies Tom Johnson and Bob Dees had opened at tackle Nov. 16, 1952, at the New York Giants had it occurred for Green Bay

2008 Season

Started the first 13 games at RT, but suffered a season-ending knee injury vs. Houston
Helped block for many of RB Ryan Grant’s career-high 1,203 rushing yards, which ranks as the seventh-highest single-season rushing mark in franchise history
Named team’s Ed Block Courage Award winner, an award given annually to one member of each NFL team for displaying commitments to the principles of courage and sportsmanship while serving as inspirations in their locker rooms
Vs. Minnesota (Sept. 8): Helped pave the way for the Packers’ 139 rushing yards on 27 carries
Part of line that did not allow a sack of QB Aaron Rodgers
At Detroit (Sept. 14): Helped Packers post 123 yards on 30 carries. Part of line that allowed only one sack in the game. Cleared DE Jared DeVries out of the way on RB Brandon Jackson’s 19-yard TD run
Vs. Indianapolis (Oct. 19): Blocked for Grant’s season-high 105 rushing yards and helped line not allow a sack of Rodgers. Limited DE Robert Mathis to just two tackles
Vs. Chicago (Nov. 16): Part of line that paved the way for team’s 200 rushing yards, including season-best 145 from Grant. Line did not allow a sack or a quarterback pressure of Rodgers all afternoon
At New Orleans (Nov. 24): Started but injured hamstring on second play of game and did not return
Vs. Carolina (Nov. 30): Started and played the whole game despite being limited all week with injured hamstring suffered at New Orleans. Blocked for Packers’ 145 yards on 29 carries (5.0 avg.), including season-high 80 from Jackson
Vs. Houston (Dec. 7): Started but left game early in second quarter with left knee injury and did not return. Injury was later diagnosed as a torn ACL, ending his season

2007 Season

Started all 16 games and both playoff contests, surpassing 100 games played and started for his career, which began as a rookie starter at right tackle in Week 3 of the 2000 season
Vs. Minnesota (Nov. 11): Started his 100th career game and helped Green Bay amass a season-high 488 yards and hold the Vikings without a sack; Grant collected 119 yards rushing. Went out late in the third quarter with an ankle injury and did not return
Vs. Detroit (Dec. 30): Helped the team rush for 217 yards, 113 yard coming from Brandon Jackson, his first 100-yard rushing performance of the season
Vs. Seattle (Jan. 12): In NFC Divisional playoff contest, was part of an offensive line that assisted Grant to 201 yards and three TDs, both Packers playoff records. In a much-hyped match-up, held All-Pro Kerney without a tackle
Vs. New York Giants (Jan. 20): In NFC Championship, held Michael Strahan without a sack. On a fourth-quarter Giants interception made by CB R.W. McQuarters, Grant stripped the ball from McQuarters and Tauscher alertly recovered; the Packers went on to kick a field goal and knotted the score 20-20

2006 Season

Started 11 games and was inactive for five others with a groin injury
Had entered the year in a new role as a mentor to several young offensive linemen, after being mentored himself on veteran lines for much of his career
Showed the ability to adapt to the Packers’ new zone-blocking scheme
Played every snap on an offensive line that didn’t allow a sack from the fourth quarter vs. New Orleans (Sept. 17) to the second quarter vs. St. Louis (Oct. 8); the streak covered 108 passing plays and included a shutout at Philadelphia (Oct. 2) against the Eagles’ attacking defense
Vs. Arizona (Oct. 29): Helped the offense amass 203 yards on the ground (383 total) including 100-yard performances from both Ahman Green (106) and Vernand Morency (101)
At Minnesota (Nov. 12): Suffered a groin injury in the third quarter and missed the rest of the game
The setback snapped his 57-game starting streak dating back to the start of the 2003 season and sidelined him for the next five games
Returned to practice Dec. 14 and started the final two contests

2005 Season

Started all 16 games at right tackle, extending his starting streak to three full seasons (48 contests, 51 including playoffs)
Played 99.6 percent of the Packers’ offensive snaps – more than any Green Bay player on that side of the ball – most of which came at right tackle, though some were as an extra tight end
At Carolina (Oct. 3): Held Pro Bowl DE Julius Peppers without a sack
Vs. New Orleans (Oct. 9): Was called for his first holding penalty in six NFL seasons
At Minnesota (Oct. 23): Helped to extend the offensive line’s streak of passing plays without a sack to 111
At Cincinnati (Oct. 30): Started at right tackle and saw his first action as a blocking tight end
At Philadelphia (Nov. 27): Held All-Pro Jevon Kearse without a sack and helped pave the way for rookie Samkon Gado’s 111 rushing yards
Vs. Detroit (Dec. 11): Helped escort Gado to the franchise’s single-game rushing mark for a rookie, 171 yards
Vs. Chicago (Dec. 25): Caught a 1-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter, but a Packers holding penalty nullified the play

2004 Season

Started all 16 regular-season games (plus Wild Card playoff contest) for the second straight year and the third time as a professional
Played for all but two of the team’s 1,094 offensive snaps, helping Packers allow a franchise-low 14 sacks, including a team-record eight games with no sacks, and contributing to three 200-yard rushing games vs. Dallas (Oct. 24, 220 yards), Minnesota (Nov. 14, 206 yards) and St. Louis (Nov. 29, season-high 231)
Vs. Chicago (Sept. 19): Along with 2000 draft classmate Clifton, made his 50th NFL start
Vs. New York Giants (Oct. 3): Virtually shut down Strahan, holding him without a sack
At Detroit (Oct. 17): Helped Green Bay to 157 yards rushing and was called upon to move to right guard for two plays early in the fourth quarter after an arm laceration sidelined starter Marco Rivera
At Philadelphia (Dec. 5): Held Kearse without a tackle
At Chicago (Jan. 2): Moved inside to right guard during the fourth quarter of regular-season finale, replacing starter Rivera, who was resting his knees

2003 Season

The Packers’ starter at right tackle for the fourth straight year, made a successful return from the knee injury that had taken away most of his 2002 season
Started all 16 games for the second time in his pro career (also 2001)
Also started both playoff contests
Played all but six snaps during the regular season, yielding to Kevin Barry for the final half-dozen plays in 41-7, Monday night victory over Oakland (Dec. 22); otherwise, was in for the other 1,025 offensive snaps
Had returned gradually from his injury, as a rule practicing only once a day early in training camp and not seeing game action until the third preseason game, at Cleveland (Aug. 15)
Helped Packers to single-season franchise records for yards rushing (2,558) and yards per carry (5.05), including 1,883 yards by Green to break Jim Taylor’s 41-year-old team rushing mark; the 2,558 rushing yards ranked third in the NFL, behind only Baltimore (2,669) and Denver (2,629)
Was part of an offensive line that allowed only 19 sacks – tied (with Indianapolis) for the second-fewest in the NFL in ’03 and (then) a franchise low for a 16-game season
Was personally responsible for four pressures and 1½ sacks, according to his coaches
Included in the Packers’ low sack number was a (then) team-record six games without a sack (statistic kept since 1963), including three consecutive contests (Sept. 14-21-29) with zero sacks for the first time in franchise history
Played a big part in November stretch when Green Bay rushed for 190-or-more yards in four straight games
Played some snaps at right guard early in the year (Barry assuming the right tackle spot) with Rivera’s durability limited as he returned from a preseason medial collateral sprain

2002 NFL Europe

Suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 2 at New Orleans (Sept. 15), when Saints linebacker Charlie Clemons rolled into him during a sack late in the second quarter
Initially diagnosed as having a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee, along with possible cartilage damage, a 75 percent tear of the anterior cruciate ligament was revealed during arthroscopic surgery Sept. 17
Placed on injured reserve Sept. 18, he subsequently underwent surgery to repair the ACL Oct. 11
Had played in 34 consecutive regular-season games to open his professional career, including 32 straight starts – a streak that ended without him in the lineup at Detroit (Sept. 22)

2001 Season

Served as the Packers' starter at right tackle for a second straight season
Remaining consistent in training camp, was able to weather the effort of previous starter Dotson to reclaim his job, and start all 16 regular-season games for the first time as a professional
Also opened in both of the team's playoff contests
Was named to the All-Pro team of the Dallas Morning News
Along the way, was a key factor in Green Bay allowing the third-fewest sacks in the league (22) and the fewest by a Packer team in 27 years (17 in 1974)
Vs. Detroit (Sept. 9): Helped offense amass 179 yards rushing in season opener
Vs. Cleveland (Dec. 23): Helped Green Bay rush for a season-best 222 yards. With usual starter Rivera hampered by a broken hand, he was moved inside and played at right guard during the second and fourth quarters of the season's final five games, the first action of his pro career at right guard
Vs. San Francisco (Jan. 13): Threw an important block to help Green get into the end zone on his game-clinching, 9-yard TD run with 1:55 remaining in 25-15, NFC Wild Card victory

2000 Season

Having seen special teams duty in the season opener, played in all 16 games as a rookie
Was named to the all-rookie team of Football News
Helped the Packers to average better than 100 yards rushing per game (102.7) for the first time since their last Super Bowl season (1997)
Started the Packers' final 14 games at right tackle after the incumbent, Dotson, re-herniated a disc in his back in Week 2
At Buffalo (Sept. 10): Played virtually the entire Bills contest after Dotson was forced out on the second play from scrimmage
Vs. Philadelphia (Sept. 17): Made his first NFL start
At Carolina (Nov. 27): Stymied the formidable Reggie White in Monday night game, holding him without a tackle or sack
Vs. San Francisco (Oct. 15): With Clifton entering lineup for first time, formed Green Bay’s first pair of starting rookie offensive tackles in 48 years (since Johnson and Dees, Nov. 16, 1952, at N.Y. Giants)
2000 Draft: Was the first of five seventh-round draft choices (224th overall) by Green Bay

College

Was a one-year starter (1999) and two-time letterwinner (1998-99) for Wisconsin
Showed remarkable improvement and perseverance over his college career, making the team as a walk-on in 1995, redshirting, and playing little for two seasons before contributing substantially his final two years, including a starting assignment as a senior
Was a member of two straight Big Ten and Rose Bowl championship teams (1998-99)
Twice was selected to the Academic All-Big Ten team (1998-99)
Received a B.A. degree in history in 1999 and began work on a graduate degree while playing his final season for the Badgers; completed coursework and exams and received a master's degree in educational administration in May of 2003
Since then has begun work on pre-doctorate studies through UW-Madison; spent five weeks in England before the ’05 season as part of his program, his research including work on the re-election campaigns of two British Parliament members, Wicks and Geraint Davies, as well as teaching a portion of an American Studies course at Dulwich College
Senior season (1999): Took over as the starter at right tackle, replacing the departed Aaron Gibson, and blocked for Ron Dayne’s Heisman Trophy winning season, which also included breaking the NCAA’s all-time rushing record
Was invited to both the Hula Bowl and East-West Shrine Game, the only 1999 Badger to appear in two postseason all-star contests
Redshirt freshman, sophomore and junior seasons (1996-98): Backed up Gibson and left tackle Chris McIntosh, a pair of future NFL first-round draft choices

Personal

Given name Mark Gerald Tauscher
Name is pronounced TAU-sher
Nicknamed ‘Tausch’
Born in Marshfield, Wis.
Married the former Sarah Helgeson in July
Father, Dennis, is a reporter for the Marshfield (Wis.) News-Herald and covers Packers home games for his newspaper, enabling him to deliver personal reports on his son's progress and performance to the readers back home
Received the Professional Achievement Award at the annual Lee Remmel Sports Awards Banquet in 2007
High school: Won all-state and all-conference honors in football his junior and senior years as an offensive lineman at Auburndale (Wis.) High School
Named team MVP as a senior
Also made all-conference teams in both basketball (center) and baseball (third base) as a junior and senior
Earned three letters in football (as an offensive and defensive tackle) and baseball, lettering twice in basketball
Also was a member of the National Honor Society in high school
Community involvement: In 2005 established the ‘TRIFECTA (Tauscher’s Reading Initiative For Every Child To Achieve) Foundation,’ its mission to benefit literacy and education in the state of Wisconsin; holds annual golf outings to raise money for the foundation
With Associated Bank, TRIFECTA has raised more than $110,000 for distribution in Wisconsin
Enjoys giving time to local charities, including reading at several area elementary schools (Howe, Fairview, Pioneer, Sauk Prairie and Fox Lake) to promote reading programs; also has worked with the Salvation Army, UWGB literacy program and the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics
Participated in a fundraising campaign in 2005 for St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield, Wis., a Children’s Miracle Network hospital; because the hospital received pledges better than $25,000, Tauscher cut his trademark long hair after the season, with donors having the chance to be randomly chosen to take part in the cutting ceremony
Displayed his considerable batting power annually in the Brett Favre Celebrity Softball Game, held at Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute, Wis.; he socked three home runs in the 2001 contest
Attended an ‘Evening of Elegance’ which goes to support the Donald Driver Foundation
Has eaten dinner and played games with local patients at the annual Families of Children with Cancer holiday party
Was part of the Packers’ second annual Tailgate Tour in 2007, visiting various Wisconsin cities with both scheduled and unscheduled stops
Also spent a week traveling with pediatric cancer patients to participate in winter activities around Wisconsin as part of former college teammate Jerry Wunsch’s Circle of Friends program
Was an assistant teacher of seventh grade at De Forest (Wis.) Middle School while in college
Organized a charity basketball game, also in De Forest, to benefit cancer research in March of 2000; he also has given time to D.A.R.E. in that city
Hobbies/interests: Playing golf and tennis
Residence: Sun Prairie, Wis.

Player Stats

Year	GP	GS
2000 Green Bay	16	14
2001 Green Bay	16	16
2002 Green Bay	2	2
2003 Green Bay	16	16
2004 Green Bay	16	16
2005 Green Bay	16	16
2006 Green Bay	11	11
2007 Green Bay	16	16
2008 Green Bay	13	13
NFL totals (nine years)	122	120
Postseason	7	7

On injured reserve for Packers game during '02 playoffs

Additional statistics: Miscellaneous tackles - 2 in 2000, 1 in 2001, 1 in '01 playoffs, 1 in 2003, 2 in 2004, 1 in 2007, 1 in 2008; NFL total: 8. Miscellaneous fumble recoveries - 1 in 2001, 1 in 2003, 1 in 2005, 1 in 2007; NFL total: 4. Recovered opponent fumble following an interception, vs. New York Giants, 1/20/08.

NFL debut: vs. N.Y. Jets, 9/3/00
First NFL start: vs. Philadelphia, 9/17/00

CAREER TRANSACTIONS
2000: Selected by Green Bay Packers as first of five seventh-round choices (224th overall) in '00 NFL Draft, April 15...Signed first contract, June 21.
2002: Placed on injured reserve (left knee), Sept. 18...Signed six-year contract extension, Nov. 27.
2008: Placed on injured reserve (left knee), Dec. 11.
2009: Signed by Green Bay Packers as unrestricted free agent, October 12.

CURRENT CONTRACT EXPIRATION: After 2009

ELIAS Game By Game Packers Stats
Game Date	Opp	Sacks
Game Date	Opp	Sacks
Sep 3, 2000	NYJ	0
Sep 10, 2000	@BUF	0
Sep 17, 2000	PHI	0
Sep 24, 2000	@ARI	0
Oct 1, 2000	CHI	0
Oct 8, 2000	@DET	0
Oct 15, 2000	SF	0
Oct 29, 2000	@MIA	0
Nov 6, 2000	MIN	0
Nov 12, 2000	@TB	0
Nov 19, 2000	IND	0
Nov 27, 2000	@CAR	0
Dec 3, 2000	@CHI	0
Dec 10, 2000	DET	0
Dec 17, 2000	@MIN	0
Dec 24, 2000	TB	0
2000 Totals		0
Sep 9, 2001	DET	0
Sep 24, 2001	WAS	0
Sep 30, 2001	@CAR	0
Oct 7, 2001	@TB	0
Oct 14, 2001	BAL	0
Oct 21, 2001	@MIN	0
Nov 4, 2001	TB	0
Nov 11, 2001	@CHI	0
Nov 18, 2001	ATL	0
Nov 22, 2001	@DET	0
Dec 3, 2001	@JAC	0
Dec 9, 2001	CHI	0
Dec 16, 2001	@TEN	0
Dec 23, 2001	CLE	0
Dec 30, 2001	MIN	0
Jan 6, 2002	@NYG	0
2001 Totals		0
Sep 8, 2002	ATL	0
Sep 15, 2002	@NO	0
Sep 22, 2002	@DET	0
Sep 29, 2002	CAR	0
Oct 7, 2002	@CHI	0
Oct 13, 2002	@NE	0
Oct 20, 2002	WAS	0
Nov 4, 2002	MIA	0
Nov 10, 2002	DET	0
Nov 17, 2002	@MIN	0
Nov 24, 2002	@TB	0
Dec 1, 2002	CHI	0
Dec 8, 2002	MIN	0
Dec 15, 2002	@SF	0
Dec 22, 2002	BUF	0
Dec 29, 2002	@NYJ	0
2002 Totals		0
Sep 7, 2003	MIN	0
Sep 14, 2003	DET	0
Sep 21, 2003	@ARI	0
Sep 29, 2003	@CHI	0
Oct 5, 2003	SEA	0
Oct 12, 2003	KC	0
Oct 19, 2003	@STL	0
Nov 2, 2003	@MIN	0
Nov 10, 2003	PHI	0
Nov 16, 2003	@TB	0
Nov 23, 2003	SF	0
Nov 27, 2003	@DET	0
Dec 7, 2003	CHI	0
Dec 14, 2003	@SD	0
Dec 22, 2003	@OAK	0
Dec 28, 2003	DEN	0
2003 Totals		0
Sep 13, 2004	@CAR	0
Sep 19, 2004	CHI	0
Sep 26, 2004	@IND	0
Oct 3, 2004	NYG	0
Oct 11, 2004	TEN	0
Oct 17, 2004	@DET	0
Oct 24, 2004	DAL	0
Oct 31, 2004	@WAS	0
Nov 14, 2004	MIN	0
Nov 21, 2004	@HOU	0
Nov 29, 2004	STL	0
Dec 5, 2004	@PHI	0
Dec 12, 2004	DET	0
Dec 19, 2004	JAC	0
Dec 24, 2004	@MIN	0
Jan 2, 2005	@CHI	0
2004 Totals		0
Sep 11, 2005	@DET	0
Sep 18, 2005	CLE	0
Sep 25, 2005	TB	0
Oct 3, 2005	@CAR	0
Oct 9, 2005	NO	0
Oct 23, 2005	@MIN	0
Oct 30, 2005	@CIN	0
Nov 6, 2005	PIT	0
Nov 13, 2005	@ATL	0
Nov 21, 2005	MIN	0
Nov 27, 2005	@PHI	0
Dec 4, 2005	@CHI	0
Dec 11, 2005	DET	0
Dec 19, 2005	@BAL	0
Dec 25, 2005	CHI	0
Jan 1, 2006	SEA	0
2005 Totals		0
Sep 10, 2006	CHI	0
Sep 17, 2006	NO	0
Sep 24, 2006	@DET	0
Oct 2, 2006	@PHI	0
Oct 8, 2006	STL	0
Oct 22, 2006	@MIA	0
Oct 29, 2006	ARI	0
Nov 5, 2006	@BUF	0
Nov 12, 2006	@MIN	0
Nov 19, 2006	NE	0
Nov 27, 2006	@SEA	0
Dec 3, 2006	NYJ	0
Dec 10, 2006	@SF	0
Dec 17, 2006	DET	0
Dec 21, 2006	MIN	0
Dec 31, 2006	@CHI	0
2006 Totals		0
Sep 9, 2007	PHI	0
Sep 16, 2007	@NYG	0
Sep 23, 2007	SD	0
Sep 30, 2007	@MIN	0
Oct 7, 2007	CHI	0
Oct 14, 2007	WAS	0
Oct 29, 2007	@DEN	0
Nov 4, 2007	@KC	0
Nov 11, 2007	MIN	0
Nov 18, 2007	CAR	0
Nov 22, 2007	@DET	0
Nov 29, 2007	@DAL	0
Dec 9, 2007	OAK	0
Dec 16, 2007	@STL	0
Dec 23, 2007	@CHI	0
Dec 30, 2007	DET	0
2007 Totals		0
Sep 8, 2008	MIN	0
Sep 14, 2008	@DET	0
Sep 21, 2008	DAL	0
Sep 28, 2008	@TB	0
Oct 5, 2008	ATL	0
Oct 12, 2008	@SEA	0
Oct 19, 2008	IND	0
Nov 2, 2008	@TEN	0
Nov 9, 2008	@MIN	0
Nov 16, 2008	CHI	0
Nov 24, 2008	@NO	0
Nov 30, 2008	CAR	0
Dec 7, 2008	HOU	0
Dec 14, 2008	@JAC	0
Dec 22, 2008	@CHI	0
Dec 28, 2008	DET	0
2008 Totals		0
Sep 13, 2009	CHI	0
Sep 20, 2009	CIN	0
Sep 27, 2009	@STL	0
Oct 5, 2009	@MIN	0
Oct 18, 2009	DET	0
Oct 25, 2009	@CLE	0
Nov 1, 2009	MIN	0
2009 Totals		0
Packers Totals		0

Statistics provided by Elias Sports Bureau