Auburn special teams shine in win vs Alabama State
The Auburn Tigers shut out in-state opponent Alabama State and got help from their special teams to secure their 62-0 victory. Midway through the second quarter, the Hornets set up for a field goal on the 20-yard line. At the snap defensive lineman, Colby Wooden was able to push through the line for Auburn and get a hand up in time to block the attempt. The ball was then scooped up by Junior cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett. Pritchett shot down the field 80 yards untouched for the score.
Coach Bryan Harsin was asked about the exciting special teams play and gave this statement on their play.
“You practice that throughout the week…. You simulate it and you go through it for the moment we had in this game…. We were creating some big plays on special teams,” said Harsin.
That was Alabama States’ last legitimate chance to score in the game. After that drive the Hornets had six drives end in puntss, seven punts total, and two ended via turnover; an interception and a fumble in the third quarter.
More highlights from the Tigers
Auburn’s offense did get off to a slow start to the game but the outcome was never in question. Auburn ended up finishing the game with a pair of 100-yard rushers. Sophomore Tank Bigsby had 122 yards on 11 carries and ripped off a huge 51-yard run to help set up a touchdown pass in the third quarter. But the biggest play of the night came from freshman running back Jarquez Hunter. With less than a minute to go in the third, Hunter broke loose for an Auburn record 94-yard scamper. The Tigers did not score their first touchdown until the second quarter, but that did not matter. After their first touchdown, there was no stopping them in all three aspects of the game.
Aside from the blocked field goal returned for a touchdown, Aubrun registered a defensive touchdown as well. The 35-yard pick-six play was made by corner Roger McCreary.
After this game, the Tigers will travel to Pennsylvania to take on Penn State in a matchup of top-25 teams. Auburn will look to their special teams to continue the solid play and possibly score a touchdown or two too. That game will be on Sept. 18 on ABC. Kickoff will be at 7:30 p.m. EST.