Auburn football notebook: Defense delivers in SEC win

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Zach Bland / AU Athletics

 
AUBURN, Ala. – Preventing Mississippi State from converting 10 times on 12 third downs, Auburn's defense limited the Bulldogs to just one touchdown Saturday in the Tigers' 27-13 victory.

"I'm so grateful to (defensive coordinator) Coach (Ron) Roberts and all he does to prepare us," said Eugene Asante, who led Auburn with nine tackles. "He trusts in us and believes in us. You can see it in the meetings. He cares about us as human beings. I want to go lay it all out on the line for him."

"We had many three-and-outs regarding crucial moments and points of the game," said Cam Riley, who added four tackles, a quarterback hurry and a pass breakup. "It was beneficial for the defense to get those stops toward the end of the game and get our offense on the field to seal the deal."

"We had the mindset of, if teams don't score on us, teams don't beat us," said Keionte Scott, who contributed seven tackles, a tackle for loss and a pass breakup.

"They did a good job of keeping them out of the end zone. They bowed up most every time," Auburn coach Hugh Freeze said. "For our lack of depth, they've done a marvelous job, the staff and kids."

ON THE RUN
Jarquez Hunter totaled 170 all-purpose yards, rushing 17 times for 144 yards, an 8.5 yards-per-carry average, while adding 26 yards receiving on two catches.

"We've been doing good in the run game these last couple of weeks," Hunter said. "The offensive line did great at executing their blocks."
 
Hunter, who recorded his sixth career 100-yard game and first of the season, ranks No 25 on Auburn's all-time rushing list with 1,716 yards.
 
"The second half of the season is going to be better because I try to get better at practice," he said. "If I practice hard, I play hard. That's where it starts." 
 
"He doesn't say anything, he just works," Freeze said. "He runs a hundred miles an hour every run he gets, he finishes practices hard. I thought we had a really good plan against their stuff to run the ball. It's good to see Jarquez continue to have success."
  
CONNOR GETS THE CALL
After taking over at center early vs. Ole Miss, true freshman Connor Lew made his first career start Saturday, helping Auburn amass 416 yards of total offense against Mississippi State.

"It was so surreal," Lew said. "You dream of this moment growing up. To run out the tunnel as an SEC football player, you know you're going out there to start. It was an awesome experience and to cap it off with a win was awesome."

"There were some explosive runs today." Hunter said. "Connor did good with his first start, and he progressed as the game went on."
 
SPECIAL TEAMS
Redshirt freshman kicker Alex McPherson continued his perfect season kicking field goals, drilling a 39-yarder in the second quarter and a 49-yarder in the third quarter.

Dating back to last season, when he took over after an injury to Anders Carlson, McPherson has converted 14 consecutive field goal attempts.

"He's always on my mind," Freeze said. "I'm always thinking what yard line can we get points, particularly early in the game. He's really good."

Punter Oscar Chapman continued his outstanding work, averaging 47.2 yards on five kicks, including a 59-yarder and another that Jaylin Simpson downed at State's 3-yard line in the second quarter.
 


 


 


 



Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer