AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn's Tank Bigsby and Derick Hall earned Southeastern Conference weekly honors for their performances in the Tigers' 24-10 win at Mississippi State, the SEC announced Monday.
Hall was named Defensive Lineman of the Week for the second time in 2020, while Bigsby won the Freshman of the Week award for the second time.
"The defensive scheme was great," said Hall, who also earned SEC D-line honors for his two-sack outing vs. LSU. "We put a great game plan together to be able to affect the quarterback the best way we know how, knowing they're an air raid team, just trying to slow down their passing game."
Auburn's defense recorded six sacks and two interceptions in the regular-season finale.
"The will and the want-to for these seniors," Hall said of the defense's motivation. "Being able to come to Starkville, put up a game like that, play for one another, play for the seniors to send them out on the right note was huge. It was really all for them and for Auburn."Derick Hall (right), celebrates during Auburn's 24-10 win vs. Mississippi State
Bigsby rushed for a career-high 192 yards on 26 attempts, averaging 7.4 yards per carry in the third-best single-game rushing performance by a freshman in program history. Travis Tidwell ran for 222 yards in 1946 and Tommie Agee gained 219 in 1983.
"I was able to do that because of my O-line. I give them the credit," said Bigsby, who also earned SEC weekly freshman honors for the Ole Miss game. "Coaches believing in me, giving me the ball, running behind my pads and playing football, playing the game I love."
Bigsby gained 57 yards on four consecutive rushes in Auburn's final fourth-quarter touchdown drive to secure the win.
"I just said I'll put the team on my back and I'll just keep running until we get the victory," said Bigsby, who produced four 100-yard rushing games in 2020. "And that's what I did, just not being denied. Again, I just thank my O-line and my teammates."
With 834 rushing yards, Bigsby ranks No. 2 all-time among Auburn freshmen behind only Michael Dyer, who gained 1,093 in 2010.
Other Auburn players earning SEC weekly honors in 2020 include Jaylin Simpson (freshman of the week vs. Kentucky), Seth Williams (offensive player of the week vs. Ole Miss), Smoke Monday (defensive player of the week vs. Tennessee) and Nick Brahms (offensive lineman of the week vs. Tennessee).Auburn recorded six sacks against the BulldogsJeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer
