AUBURN, Ala. – Demetris Robertson scored three touchdowns and No. 25 Auburn scored on defense and special teams to shut out Alabama State 62-0 on a record-setting Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
"Proud of our guys," Auburn coach Bryan Harsin said. "Overall, it was good. We scored on offense, scored on defense, scored on special teams and made big plays in all three phases."
Robertson caught a pair of touchdown passes from Bo Nix before scoring on a 36-yard reverse, the latter two TDs coming in Auburn's 35-point third quarter.
"He's got great speed," Harsin said. "He's a really bright player, great person, takes care of his business. He's going to continue to keep getting better and better. He's got a great attitude, he's always positive."
Colby Wooden blocked a field goal that Nehemiah Pritchett returned 80 yards for a touchdown, and Barton Lester blocked a punt that led to a field goal to help Auburn take a 20-0 halftime lead.
"I saw all the green grass. I was like, nobody's catching me with all that field," said Pritchett of Auburn's first TD return of a blocked field goal since Neiko Thorpe vs. Kentucky in 2009. "It's special for a big play like that to happen."
Gallery: (9-11-2021) Auburn 62, Alabama State 0
Roger McCreary returned an interception 35 yards for a touchdown to put Auburn ahead 41-0 midway through the third quarter.
"Roger's interception was spectacular," Harsin said. "He did a great job of being ready on that particular play."
For the second straight game, Tank Bigsby and Jarquez Hunter both rushed for more than 100 yards, with Hunter gaining most of his on one carry, a 94-yard burst that marked the longest run in Auburn history and gave the Tigers a 55-0 lead at the end of the third quarter.
"I knew this: when he popped that one, no one was going to catch him," Harsin said. "He can go."
Hunter led Auburn with 147 yards on eight carries. Bigsby added 122 yards on 11 rushes, helping the Tigers pile up 364 rushing yards on 39 carries, an average of 9.3 yards per carry.
Nix completed 9 of 17 passes for 108 yards and two touchdowns. Finley was 2-for-2 for 66 yards and a touchdown.
Anders Carlson kicked a pair of field goals to give Auburn a 6-0 lead after the first quarter. Nix and Robertson connected from 6 yards to put the Tigers on top 13-0 early in the second quarter.
T.J. Finley relieved Nix in the third quarter and threw a 49-yard touchdown pass to Malcolm Johnson Jr.
Zakoby McClain led Auburn with 10 tackles, his eighth career double-digit performance. The Tigers recorded 11 tackles for loss, including sacks by T.D. Moultry and Eku Leota.
The Tigers held the Hornets to 46 rushing yards on 29 carries, an average of 1.6 yards per rush.
"I'm proud of the defense to not allow a point," Harsin said. "That's hard to do. Those guys did a great job. Coach Mason and his staff had a really good plan. We were tackling out there and making plays."
Auburn has scored 60 or more points in back-to-back games for the first time since 1932.
A crowd of 82,745 enjoyed a sunny afternoon on the Plains, in which Auburn honored first responders on the 20th anniversary of 9/11.
The Tigers play their first road game next week, traveling to Penn State for a 6:30 p.m. CT kick on ABC.
"The goal every week is to continue to get better," Harsin said. "A new challenge with the Penn State game, being on the road, to travel, and the environment."
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer
No better way to end a Saturday!#WarEagle | #AuburnMade pic.twitter.com/txpSK0WInl
— Auburn Football (@AuburnFootball) September 11, 2021