LEXINGTON, Ky. – Jarquez Hunter rushed for a career-high 278 yards and Auburn scored 24 straight points to defeat Kentucky 24-10 Saturday at Kroger Field, the Tigers’ first SEC victory.
"We were wearing them down in the second half," said Hunter, who delivered the fourth-best rushing performance in program history. "The offensive line did an excellent job. The coaches did a great job preparing us for this week. The receivers did an excellent job of perimeter blocking. I give them all the praise because they made it happen for me."
Hunter scored two second-half touchdowns and averaged 12.1 yards per carry on 23 rushes to help the Tigers earn their 10th consecutive win at Kentucky.
"I couldn't be prouder of them," Auburn coach Hugh Freeze said. "They continued to fight. They refused to lose. Our kids are playing with great heart."
Tied 10-10, Auburn opened the second half with one of its best drives of the season, moving 75 yards in 14 plays while consuming nearly half of the third quarter.
Hunter reached the century mark for the 10th time in his career with a 1-yard touchdown run that put Auburn ahead 17-10 at the 7:53 mark of the third quarter.
Auburn’s defense forced a punt after a three-and-out, and Hunter picked up 50 yards on his longest rush of the season, but the Tigers missed a 47-yard field goal with 3:38 to play in the third quarter.
Early in the fourth quarter, Hunter put the Tigers ahead 24-10 with a 45-yard touchdown to cap a nine-play, 80-yard drive.
HAVE A NIGHT, @JArquez27 😱 pic.twitter.com/3CgCUNe85O
— Auburn Football (@AuburnFootball) October 27, 2024
Kayin Lee’s interception on fourth-and-goal from Auburn’s 2-yard line with 4:39 to play secured the victory.
After Kentucky kicked a field goal on the opening drive, the Wildcats forced a three-and-out and took a 10-0 lead on Jamarion Wilcox’s 2-yard touchdown run midway through the first quarter.
After an Auburn interception gave Kentucky possession at the Tigers’ 40-yard line, Keldric Faulk recorded his sixth sack of the season on third down to force a punt.
Payton Thorne’s 25-yard completion to KeAndre Lambert-Smith on third-and-6 generated a first down. Thorne then found Cam Coleman for a second third-down conversion, but a first-down sack put Auburn behind the chains and led to a punt.
Faulk again showed by he’s one of the SEC’s premier pass rushers, blasting into the backfield for his second third-down sack.
"I was doing anything to win," Faulk said. "Anything to help my team get in a better position."
Hunter rushed for 24 yards on consecutive carries to give Auburn first-and-goal at Kentucky’s 6-yard line. From there, Thorne and Lambert-Smith teamed up for a touchdown that cut Kentucky’s lead to 10-7 with 10:56 to play in the first half.
Thorne completed 20 of 26 passes for 172 yards and a touchdown.
Jay Crawford’s first career interception led to Alex McPherson’s 27-yard field goal, tying the score at 10-10 with 3:57 remaining in the half.
Starting at its 13-yard line after another defensive stop, the Tigers drove 66 yards in nine plays, including 40 yards on back-to-back Hunter carries to open the drive, but a sack at Kentucky’s 21-yard line ended the half and prevented Auburn from attempting a potential go-ahead field goal.
Auburn held Kentucky to minus-6 rushing yards in the second quarter while maintaining possession for more than 10 minutes and outgaining the Wildcats 158-30. Auburn more than doubled Kentucky in total yards for the game, 498-224.
Dorian Mausi led Auburn with 10 tackles.
Auburn (3-5, 1-4) returns to Jordan-Hare Stadium next Saturday for the first time since Sept. 28, hosting No. 25 Vanderbilt at 11:45 a.m. CT on SEC Network and the Auburn Network.
"It doesn't get easier but hopefully we'll carry from this one some confidence that will help us the next time we get in these," Freeze said.
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on X: @jeff_shearer