Sept. 18, 2016
By Jeff Shearer
AuburnTigers.com
AUBURN, Ala. - The term "downhill runner" was not created to describe Auburn sophomore Kamryn Pettway, but it certainly applies.
At 6-0, 240 pounds, Pettway is strong enough to run over defenders and fast enough to run away from them.
Against Texas A&M, Pettway produced his second straight 100-yard game, carrying 20 times for 123 yards and his first career touchdown.
"My performance last week gave me a lot of good momentum going into this game," said Pettway, who gained 152 yards against Arkansas State in the previous game.
Pettway credited his blockers for creating room to run.
"I think I had a lot of my success at first because of the O-line," he said. "Second, because of my size."
Pettway has gained 275 yards in two games, averaging 7.9 yards per carry.
After producing more than 700 yards against Arkansas State, Auburn had 399 yards against Texas A&M.
"It was pretty frustrating," Pettway said. "We know we made some mistakes, and we know we have to go back to the drawing board and fix them."
Pettway's production gives him a voice in the locker room.
"Just try to keep them motivated," Pettway said. "Just keep their heads up, and help them make plays. It was pretty frustrating for us, but we know we have to keep our intensity. Keep each other up. It was a tough loss. We know we have to pick our heads up and keep working."
For the second straight week, Pettway provided Auburn's most explosive play. Against Arkansas State, he gained 64 yards on one run. Against Texas A&M, his long run came in the fourth quarter, after Auburn changed quarterbacks.
"John Franklin III did well. He made some big plays, also," Pettway said. "John brings a little something different to the table. When they see him come in, they think, `Oh, Wildcat.' That's what made that go when he came in."
With Texas A&M keying on Franklin, Pettway provided Auburn's biggest gain of the night, a 33-yard run up the middle.
"When John came in, I know they respect him a lot," Pettway said. "It opened up a lot for me."
Pettway says, after three games, he "feels fine" physically, with LSU coming to Jordan-Hare Saturday.
"We just know we have to lock in on the small details and finish," he said.
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @jeff_shearer