AUBURN, Ala. – After helping lead Auburn to a 14-10 win at California Saturday, linebacker Eugene Asante has been named Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Week, the SEC announced Monday.
"It's surreal," Asante said. "I'm grateful to get the opportunity to be out there and play the game I love with intensity and effort."
Asante made 12 tackles, including nine solos, vs. the Bears, adding a sack, 1.5 tackles for loss, a pass breakup and two quarterback hurries.
"It was a great game. The fans pumped us up. They give us energy," said Asante, who shared the weekly honor with Mississippi State linebacker Jett Johnson.
Asante, who also led the Tigers with six tackles in Auburn's season-opening victory vs. Massachusetts, transferred to Auburn in 2022 after starting his college career at North Carolina.
"It was big for me because I played on scout team last year," he said. "That fuels me, being out there. Coach Roberts, Coach Aldridge and this staff gave me an opportunity to show what I can do. I'm forever grateful to them. It was a great game."
Auburn shut out the Bears in the second half and held Cal to 113 rushing yards on 40 attempts, an average of 2.8 yards per carry.
"In the midst of chaos, there's opportunity," Asante said. "We are our brother's keeper. Not being frustrated, not being disappointed but just going out there with a positive mindset and playing play after play."
Looking to improve to 3-0, Auburn hosts Samford Saturday at 6 p.m. CT on Homecoming at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
"The fans give us energy. They pumped us up."
— Jeff Shearer (@jeff_shearer) September 10, 2023
🗣️LB Eugene Asante led @AuburnFootball with 12 tackles in 14-10 win at Cal.
"I played on scout team last year. That kind of thing fuels me. @CoachRonRoberts, @CoachA_AU, this staff gave me an opportunity to show what I can do." pic.twitter.com/A8R5Y44kyJ
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer