AUBURN, Ala. – Ninety years have passed since Auburn last visited a Big Ten stadium, a streak that ends Saturday when the No. 22 Tigers play at No. 10 Penn State.
"I take this as a big opportunity," Auburn running back Tank Bigsby said. "Not many guys get this opportunity. Make the most of it. I'm thankful. I'm glad we get to play this game and I'm very excited for it."
Bigsby played his record-setting freshman season in 2020 in reduced-capacity stadiums, so this will be his first chance to showcase his skills to a crowd of more than 100,000.
"I'm ready for it," said Bigsby, who leads the SEC and ranks second nationally averaging more than 10 yards per rush through two games. "I feel like it's going to bring a lot of energy to our team, being in that stadium. We're ready to handle our business."
The SEC's offensive freshman of the year in 2020, Bigsby has surpassed the 100-yard mark in Auburn's wins vs. Akron and Alabama State. Bigsby and true freshman Jarquez Hunter have combined for 498 rushing yards.
Hunter earned the game ball against ASU after setting the school record with a 94-yard touchdown run. Among his teammates, his legend began this summer when he squatted 600 pounds.
"That's the craziest thing I've seen him do," Bigsby said. "It was ridiculous."Record-setter: Jarquez Hunter's 94-yard TD run was the longest in Auburn history
Auburn's offensive line also put in work in the weight room over the summer, Bigsby noted.
"They're more confident," Bigsby said. "They're playing their best ball. We've got a lot of leaders on the O-line. They're going to come prepared and ready to play."
After gaining starting experience in 2020, the Tigers' O-line embraces the opportunity to compete against a top 10 opponent in prime time.
"Penn State's D-line is great," center Nick Brahms said. "They are big and fast. That's why you come to Auburn, to play in these big games. Execute your assignment and responsibility on the field. The rest of it takes care of itself."
Auburn has cranked up the decibel levels at practice this week, hoping to simulate the crowd noise at Beaver Stadium. The challenge for the offensive line, Brahms says, will be to communicate, non-verbally if necessary, to make sure they're squared away on assignments.
"We're really looking forward to it as an offensive line," Brahms said. "It's going to be an electric atmosphere. We feed off that energy and we're looking forward to having success."
After coming up short to Big Ten teams in back-to-back bowl games, Auburn captain Owen Pappoe looks forward to regaining bragging rights for Auburn and the SEC.
"A lot of motivation going into this game," Pappoe said. "We've got something to prove."
On the eve of Auburn's first Big Ten road game in nearly a century, first-year head coach Bryan Harsin and the Tigers left campus late Friday morning on the road to Penn State.
"This is part of what makes college football so special," Harsin said. "You get to play in environments like that. Embrace it. Enjoy the opportunity to play in somebody else's house and play good football."
Auburn and Penn State kick off Saturday at 6:30 p.m. CT on ABC and the Auburn Sports Network.Penn State marks Bryan Harsin's first away game at Auburn
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer
