Sept. 23, 2017
By Jeff Shearer
AuburnTigers.com
COLUMBIA, Mo. - The touchdowns came fast and furious for Kerryon Johnson.
In his first action since the season opener, Johnson scored five touchdowns in Auburn's 51-14 thrashing of Missouri.
"It was fun. It's been a long two weeks. Just getting back out there and competing with those guys was fun for me," said Johnson, who injured his right hamstring in the first half of Auburn's 41-7 win over Georgia Southern on Sept. 2.
Johnson's 1-yard TD run capped Auburn's opening drive. On Auburn's second drive, he scored from the 2, adding 1-yard and 7-yard scores in the second quarter.
Touchdown No. 5 came in the second half, another 1-yard score, giving Auburn a 38-7 lead. Peyton Barber rushed for five touchdowns against San Jose State in 2015.
"I was just trying to do my job and the O-line did a great job creating holes and we just got in the end zone," Johnson said.
Johnson gained 48 yards on 18 carries, his longest run of the night going for 7 yards. He added two catches for 15 yards.
"I thought it was big," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said. "He wasn't 100 percent, but he was close. He practiced last week. He practiced this week. I thought he did some really good things."
"There's nothing wrong with our offense," Johnson said. "We've just got to do it every week, week in and week out, and don't turn the ball over, we'll be fine."
Auburn played without Kamryn Pettway, whom Malzahn said was not at 100 percent after Auburn's Homecoming win over Mercer. Johnson and Pettway have yet to appear in the game this season. Perhaps that will happen next week when the Tigers host Mississippi State at 5 p.m. on ESPN.
"It is frustrating, but at the same time, it's better to have two guys, so if one isn't healthy, you have someone you can go to," Johnson said. "He's had to carry a heavy load the past two weeks. That's partially my fault for being out. Any time we can get somebody rest, that's good.
Kam Martin led Auburn with 74 rushing yards on nine carries, including a 47-yarder.
"Kam's a baller," Johnson said. "Kam is a guy who's been patient. He will continue to be patient. He's a selfless guy. He comes to work every day. He shoulders the load. When you see him out there, and you see things paying out for him, and the hard work that he does pay off, it makes you really happy. He cares about Auburn. He's a great guy. And I think it all works out for him."
"He brings great energy to the offense." @Jarrett_Stidham on @AyeyoKEJO, who scored 5 TDs vs Mizzou. pic.twitter.com/450yIcqemV
-- Jeff Shearer (@jeff_shearer) September 24, 2017
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @jeff_shearer