LEXINGTON, Ky. – Even after rushing for 278 yards, the fourth best performance in program history and the most in an FBS game this season, senior Jarquez Hunter still had enough energy for a celebratory backflip after Auburn defeated Kentucky 24-10 Saturday night.
“A blessing from God,” said Hunter, the SEC’s leading rusher with 863 yards through eight games. “We put in the work this week to go out there and dominate. We did that well on both sides of the ball. I tried to work hard all week.”
Still in uniform minutes after celebrating with Auburn fans who traveled to Lexington, Hunter thanked the Tigers’ offensive line, perimeter blockers and coaches for contributing to his big night.
“The offensive line did an excellent job,” Hunter said. “They did their part all week in practice. The coaches did a great job preparing us for this week. The receivers did an excellent job in perimeter blocking. After I would break a run, they were blocking down the field. That’s what makes big runs. I give them all the praise because they made it happen for me.”
One of those offensive linemen, Jeremiah Wright, said Hunter’s huge performance was by design.
“We told Coach, starting last week, ‘Coach, let’s run the ball more. Let’s give No. 27 that rock more and pound the rock,’” Wright said. “Coach gave us an opportunity to show the run game more and we did a great job of that. We’ve been focusing on it all week. It starts up front: strain and finish.
“That’s what we told Coach. ‘Hey, Coach, let’s keep running the ball. We feel like they’re not being more physical than us up front.’ We took the fight to them.
“Jarquez has always been special. He’s always been great. Downhill, physical player. We put the rock in his hands and he’s going to make plays. That’s what he does best.”
As the game progressed, Hunter got stronger, totaling 94 yards on 12 carries in the third quarter and 120 in the fourth quarter on six carries for a staggering 214-yard second half, breaking Bo Jackson’s school record of 206 yards in the first half against SW Louisiana in 1985.
“I felt like we were wearing them down in the second half,” Hunter said. “We want them to quit by the end of the fourth quarter.”
Eclipsing the 3,000-yark mark for his career, Hunter passed program greats Brent Fullwood, Stephen Davis, Tank Bigsby and Tre Mason Saturday, catapulting into sixth place in Auburn career rushing yards with 3,033.
TWO TAKEAWAYS
Overshadowed by Hunter’s heroics but still vitally important in Auburn’s SEC road victory, the Tigers’ defense intercepted two passes.
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.
“If we showed our disguise well enough, the quarterback was going to get a little confused,” Crawford said. “We showed the look good, the quarterback threw it my way and I took it home. It felt amazing. I’m at a loss for words right now. I love these guys, I love the fans, I love everything about Auburn.”
Kayin Lee’s interception on fourth-and-goal from Auburn’s 2-yard line with 4:39 to play secured the victory.
SACK SEASON
For the third time this season, sophomore defensive lineman Keldric Faulk recorded two sacks.
“Being active, you’ve got to love the game,” said Faulk, who ranks fourth in the SEC with seven sacks. “When you love the game, you do anything to win. I was doing anything to help my team get in a better position.
“Rush and coverage work together so well. When we rush well up front, our back end has enough time to make plays like they did tonight. We needed momentum.”
For the first time since Sept. 28, Auburn returns to Jordan-Hare Stadium Saturday to play Vanderbilt at 11:45 a.m. CT on SEC Network and the Auburn Sports Network.
“Back playing at Jordan-Hare, I can’t wait to see my Auburn family,” Faulk said.
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on X: @jeff_shearer