AUBURN, AL (EETV)- Auburn RB Jarquez Hunter’s performance against Kentucky on Saturday was nothing short of complete and total dominance; the All-SEC Senior rushed 23 times and accumulated 278 yards- a career and team record for SEC play.
Head Coach Hugh Freeze had praise in spades for Hunter in his Monday press conference. In his opening statement alone, Freeze stated:
“Jarquez (Hunter’s) performance, one of the best in school history. I think it’s the most rushing yards in SEC play in Auburn history, is what I was told. Fourth-most in school history, and his second-half performance is the best in school history. That’s great for Jarquez. I think he took the lead in rushing in the SEC after the game. He’ll be announced as offensive player of the week today.”
Hunter indeed took the lead in SEC rushing after the game, blowing by Tennessee’s Dylan Sampson with a commanding 863 yards on the season. True to Freeze’s word, the Mississippi native was named offensive player of the week soon after.
Eagle Eye’s own Micah Farmer noted that this dominant performance took place just one week after Hunter apologized for “not carrying the team” following the Tigers’ loss at Missouri. This sheer willpower and leadership will serve both Hunter and the Tigers well as they face the gauntlet that is their remaining schedule.
Coach Freeze commended the offensive line on their part of the rushing dominance, stating that they “really played one of their better games. We showed a few different things, but when it came down to it, truthfully, it wasn’t like it was extremely fancy runs. It was mostly inside zones that we just blocked up really well.”
Auburn’s supposed “just run the ball” philosophy has not been displayed often throughout this season, but in the wake of such dominance, Auburn fans can look on in hope. The Tigers will return home for the first time in a month to face the red-hot Vanderbilt Commodores this Saturday at 11:45 am CST.
