AUBURN, Ala. – When Bo Nix reads defenses pre-snap and sees single coverage on Seth Williams, his eyes light up.
"It's huge," said Nix, who earned SEC Freshman of the Week honors after producing 391 yards of total offense in Auburn's 56-23 win vs. Mississippi State. "Seth is a great player. We've known this for a while."
Nix and Williams connected eight times for 161 yards and two touchdowns against the Bulldogs.
"He had to really battle his way through the game," Nix said. "We're just proud for him because he finished. He came to play tonight."
"We're definitely not at our full stage yet," said Williams, whose 289 season receiving yards and four touchdown catches are team-highs. "We've got a lot of things to work on. We've got to work on self-inflicted wounds. We haven't reached a peak yet. We're always going to get better every week."
"He's an impact player and a guy where you have to know where he's at," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said. "When he's on the field, it really changes things. Seth's a guy who, in one-on-one, can be covered and he still has a chance to come down with the ball."
In addition to his conference honors, Nix is also in the mix for national awards.
Auburn's QB is one of eight Manning Award "Stars of the Week," with fans selecting the winner. Auburn fans can vote for Bo until Thursday at 11 a.m. CT here: https://www.facebook.com/pg/allstatesugarbowl/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10162241582965459
The Davey O'Brien Award picked Nix for one its "Great 8" for the week. The weekly winner will be announced Tuesday at 2 p.m. CT.
"He's a walking mismatch, for sure. If you're playing man on him...you're tripping."
— Jeff Shearer (@jeff_shearer) September 30, 2019
🗣 @salnells on @8_sethwilliams
8 rec., 161 yards, 2 TDs vs. MSU
Says Seth, "When it's your time, you've got to make plays." pic.twitter.com/7CEGIQecFS
STOPPING THE RUN
Mississippi State's Kylin Hill brought a 6.1-yard-per-carry average to Jordan-Hare Stadium. Auburn's defense held the SEC's leading rusher to 45 yards on 17 rushes (2.6 ypc average).
"He's one of the best running backs in the SEC," said defensive lineman Derrick Brown. "I don't think he liked that we were loading the box against him. He was trying to wait until we unloaded the box so he could get out. We knew how talented he was going into the game so you've got to do what you've got to do."
"To be able to keep him under 50 yards is pretty big," said senior safety Daniel Thomas, who led Auburn with six tackles. "He's a complete running back. We all ran to the ball and gang-tackled."
🏈@AuburnFootball held @SEC leading rusher Kylin Hill to 45 yards on 17 carries (2.6 ypc).
— Jeff Shearer (@jeff_shearer) September 30, 2019
"We knew how talented he was....you've got to do what you've got to do."
🗣@DerrickBrownAU5 pic.twitter.com/Vqt6pRrB7u
Vintage @marlondavidson7
— Jeff Shearer (@jeff_shearer) September 30, 2019
For four seasons, he's been chasing the 🏈 until the whistle blows.
Against MSU, he rushed the passer 10 yards behind LOS, then made the tackle 13 yards downfield:
"Those are the extra effort plays." pic.twitter.com/Tu1TVmtip6
ON TO THE SWAMP
For the second time this season, ESPN's "College Gameday" will broadcast live from an Auburn game when the Tigers play Florida Saturday in Gainesville. "College Gameday" originated from Fort Worth, Texas when Auburn played Oregon in the season opener in Arlington on Aug. 31.
No. 7 Auburn (5-0, 2-0) plays No. 10 Florida (5-0, 2-0) at 2:30 p.m. CT Saturday on CBS.
"We've just go to out there and make plays," defensive lineman Marlon Davidson said. "Don't give up the big play. I know Florida has a great team. Play Auburn football. Fast, physical and intense, and that's what we're going to do."
"How loud it really is, some say that's the toughest environment to play in," Nix said. "I'm excited and we'll be ready to go. It'll be tough, though."
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer