Freshman Jarquez Hunter recorded the longest rush in school history and Georgia transfer Demetris Robertson and sophomore Tank Bigsby had big days as No. 25 Auburn overcame some early sloppy play for a 62-0 victory over Alabama State Saturday in Auburn, Ala.
Hunter dashed 94 yards late in the third quarter to replace Ralph Gwynne (92 yards in 1936) at the top of the school record book. Hunter finished with 147 yards on eight carries.
Robertson scored on touchdown catches of six and 28 yards and a 36-yard run and Bigsby ran for 122 yards as the Tigers (2-0, 0-0 Southeastern Conference) blitzed the Hornets (1-1, 0-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference) with a school record 35-point third quarter.
Bigsby went over the 1,000-yard mark for his career with a 24-yard run in the second quarter and clinched his sixth career 100-yard rushing game with a 51-yard sprint early in the third. He has rushed for 1,075 yards in 12 career outings.
Alabama State managed only 176 yards in total offense and had only three drives reach Tigers territory, including one that started at Auburn’s 43-yard line.
The Tigers blocked an Alabama State punt and field goal attempt with Nehemiah Pritchett returning the rejected field goal 80 yards for a touchdown. They also scored on defense on Roger McCreary’s 35-yard interception return.
After completing 20 of 22 passes for 275 yards in the opener, Auburn quarterback Bo Nix was the victim of several drops and finished 9-of-17 passing for only 108 yards before turning the game over to T.J. Finley late in the third quarter.
Alabama State played without its leading rusher, Ezra Gray, and Auburn was without backup running back Shaun Shivers, who scored two touchdowns in the opener. Alabama State coach Donald Hill-Ely told the SEC Network telecast that Gray had a “bruise” sustained in last week’s game, but no reason was given for Shivers’ absence.
This was the second straight week Auburn put up at least 60 points. The Tigers beat Akron 60-10 in Week 1.
–Field Level Media