'Make the best of every moment' - Montravius Adams goes out in style

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Nov. 19, 2016

By Jeff Shearer
AuburnTigers.com

AUBURN, Ala. - Fierce on the field. Friendly off it. That's how senior defensive lineman Montravius Adams will be fondly remembered by Auburn fans.

In his final home game, Adams displayed again remarkable agility for a 300-pounder, intercepting a pass deflected by teammate Dontavius Russell.

"When he blocked it, the quarterback hit it," Adams said. "I've been having great awareness. God has blessed me with a lot. I was just in position to make the interception."



Alas, there would be no pick 6. Unlike in the Mississippi State game, when Adams recovered a fumble and returned it for a touchdown, this time he had to settle for the takeaway without the TD.

"I wish I could have caught it with my left hand so I could have scored. As soon as I caught it, I was about to tuck it, the quarterback grabbed it, so I said, 'I might as well just go ahead and go down.' I caught the ball. I wanted to make sure I didn't get it stripped. No fumble. I'll just take the interception."

After the game, Auburn's defensive players gathered for a picture with the video board in the background, commemorating the 55-0 shutout over Alabama A&M.

"My last time here. Really just trying to have fun with some of my players," Adams said. "I've got two (more) games that I get to be with them. Just trying to make the best of every moment.

"I'm really just proud of my teammates that we can go out and do that," he said. "I'm just happy to be on this team, and happy for the guys who helped me get a shutout."

While some of his fellow seniors shed tears Friday while addressing teammates on the eve of their final game at Jordan-Hare Stadium, and again before the game, Adams held his emotions in check.

"I really haven't thought about it," Adams said. "Nothing really has hit me, as a senior, yet. We had a couple guys who cried before the game, but I'm just trying to keep getting better every game to help my team win."

Adams has been a constant on Auburn's D-line for four seasons. His freshman year, 2013, included Auburn's SEC Championship and the most dramatic ending in college football history.

Asked to recount some of his best memories playing at home, Adams had plenty of material from which to choose.

"One would be this shutout," he said. "Both of my interceptions here. My first ever play, with it being a sack my freshman year. And the LSU game."

Adams will conclude his Auburn career with the Iron Bowl, followed by a bowl game.

"I had a great time here," he said. "I'm going to try to finish it out strong with our last two games. With this one being a shutout, I'm really just happy to be with this group of guys and to have done it with them."

Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @jeff_shearer