AUBURN, Ala. – Christian Tutt's punt returning expertise came in handy Saturday in Auburn's 52-0 win over Samford when the sophomore defensive back returned two of Auburn's four takeaways for 34 yards to set up two Tiger touchdowns.
On the opening drive, Tutt recovered a fourth-down fumble at Auburn's 41-yard line and returned it 8 years to near midfield.
"I saw the ball squirt out. I saw a couple guys going for it," Tutt said. "I knew they weren't going to get it, too many people going for it at one time. So I just tried to stay on the outside, then it squirted out. I tried to score with it, but somebody fell under me and I tripped on them."
On Samford's first drive of the second half, Tutt intercepted a tipped pass at the Bulldogs' 35 and returned it 26 yards to the 9-yard line.
"I'm trying to score. That's all I'm trying to do," he said. "Trying to put some points on the board. Just trying to do the best thing I can to help this team win."
Senior safety Jeremiah Dinson made Auburn's second turnover, racing to the sideline to pick off a deep pass at Auburn's 37-yard line.
Zakoby McClain made back-to-back impact plays in the second quarter, following a tackle for loss with a forced fumble that Roger McCreary recovered and returned 15 yards to Samford's 19, setting up another Auburn TD.
"We always talk about it, every game we're looking for a shutout, and we finally got one so it was a big compliment for us," McClain said.
QB2
Seven years after his last touchdown pass as a high school senior in Florida, quarterback Cord Sandberg threw a pair of fourth-quarter TD passes to Zach Farrar.
"Before the game, talking with the receivers, if there's a one-on-one chance, do what you can to give them a chance to make a play," Sandberg said. "He was able to make a play. That was awesome."
The 24-year-old Sandberg redshirted last season after playing six seasons of minor league baseball.
"It was awesome to go in there and actually attempt passes, try to get a feel for the game, and not only give myself confidence, but to give the players around me confidence for that what-if situation," said Sandberg.
IRON BOWL AWAITS
Within 20 minutes of singing the fight song in the locker room, the Tigers were answering questions in the media room about Auburn's next game, Saturday's Iron Bowl.
"I feel like we've just got to go out there and take care of our business, play Auburn football and let everything fall on the table," senior running back Kam Martin said.
"I think they're going to give us a lot of trick, crazy things to get us out of gaps, get us out of our zones, fits," said Tutt, anticipating unusual formations from Alabama's offense. "We've just got to be technique-sound, eyes on. We've just got to go out there and execute."
"It gives us a lot of momentum, first shutout of the season," freshman linebacker Owen Pappoe said. "We're really hyped up about it."
"We know we have a big one coming up," sophomore center Nick Brahms said. "I'm looking forward to the challenge. That's why you come to Auburn, to play in the Iron Bowl."
Freshman Bo Nix will become a second-generation Iron Bowl QB, joining his father, Patrick, who helped the Tigers beat Alabama twice at Jordan-Hare Stadium in 1993 and 1995.
"Super excited," Nix said. "Growing up, you watch all these games, Kick Six and things like that. You just want to be in a game like that. There's a lot riding on this game. Two great teams. It'll be fun.
"We're going to have a really good game plan. I think the guys are hungry and ready to play. We'll have a good week of preparation and then, come Saturday, a good old-fashioned Iron Bowl, it'll be a good game."
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer