AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn opened the season with a 21-16 win over No. 6 Washington on Saturday thanks in large part to a gritty performance from the defense. As a result, both Darrell Williams and Nick Coe were recognized for Player of the Week honors by the SEC on Monday.
Williams was named the SEC co-defensive player of the week after leading the Tigers with a career-high eight tackles and one tackle for loss. The senior linebacker also recovered a fumble, the third of his career, and knocked away a pass in the second half that likely saved a touchdown.
• Had a career-high and team-leading eight tackles (one TFL, one fumble recovery) in @AuburnFootball's win over No. 6 Washington. @darrellw_ is the #SECFB Co-Defensive Player of the Week. pic.twitter.com/TCbZQzlkjB
— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) September 3, 2018
Coe, who earned the start at Buck for Auburn, was named the SEC co-defensive lineman of the week for his efforts. The sophomore finished with two tackles for loss, a sack and he made a critical play in the second half when he hit Washington quarterback Jake Browning and jarred the ball loose as the Huskies were threatening to score. It was the first forced fumble of his career.
Coe led the Tigers with 36 production points, which included four pressures and one QB knockdown.
• Had two tackles, both for loss, one quarterback sack and a forced fumble in @AuburnFootball's win over No. 6 Washington.@nickcoe_34 is the #SECFB Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week. pic.twitter.com/4NQlcrkllC
— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) September 3, 2018
As a unit, the Auburn defense finished with nine tackles for loss, five sacks and forced two turnovers. The Tigers held Washington to just 16 points, 20 below its season average of 36.2 in 2017.
"We've got a lot of things to work on, but I feel like we did well on the things that we talk about all the time like red zone and third down," Williams said after the game. "Those are just things that we continuously work on in practice and we take seriously and try to make like a game as much as possible, so when we get in those situations, we know we can come out on the right side.
"That's what we did, and I feel like we did a good job. We've just got to continue to get better."
The Tigers will be back in action this coming Saturday when they play their first home game at Jordan-Hare Stadium against Alabama State. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT.
Greg Ostendorf is a Senior Writer for AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: