Auburn RB Hunter steamrollers UK for 274 backyards

• Max Olson, ESPN

  • Staff WriterOct 27, 2024, 02:52 AM ET Close Covers the Big 12
  • Signed up with ESPN in 2012
  • Graduate of the University of Nebraska

Auburn running back Jarquez Hunter rushed for 278 lawns, the most by any FBS player this season, and two touchdowns on Saturday to snap the Tigers’ four-game slide with their very first SEC success, a 24-10 resurgence win at Kentucky Wildcats.Hunter put together a career-best efficiency on just 23 brings and broke 3 hurries of 40 or more backyards, including a 45-yard goal to put the game away in the fourth quarter. His 278 hurrying yards were the fourth most in a game in program history.The Tigers began 0-4 in SEC conference play with losses to

Arkansas, Oklahoma, Georgia and Missouri but discovered a way to rally against Kentucky, powered by a hurrying attack that totaled 326 yards, the most permitted by a Wildcats team because 2018. Editor’s Picks”To be honest, I got tired of losing,”Hunter said.”I informed Coach, I said we’re going to find a method to win this game. It do not matter how we do it or how it gets done, we’re going to find a way. I attempt to play my hardest for my teammates and coaches. I try to offer my all every play I got. I tried to make the most of my chances that I got today, and I attempted to use ’em out.”After Hunter hurried for 57 lawns on 19 carries in the 21-17 loss at Missouri last week, Auburn coach Hugh Freeze said the senior back sent out a text to his coaches and apologized for his performance.”He said,’I didn’t bring us tonight,'”Freeze stated.” Just to see him have that sort of success after feeling the method he did last week, for a kid

that’s worked as tough as he has, is pleasing. “Auburn( 3-5 )dealt with a 10-0 deficit in the very first quarter but battled back with an effective effort on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Payton Thorne completed 15 of his last 16 passes, Hunter balanced 12.1 backyards per bring and Auburn’s defense shut down the Wildcats in the 2nd half, enabling just 79 lawns on 21 plays.”We’ve obviously had our possibilities to win a lot of football games this year and for whatever reason– an uncertainty or not making the best call or not making the best play–

things simply haven’t gone our method,”Freeze said. “Tonight, our kids discovered a way to win.”Hunter now leads the SEC in rushing with 863 yards and five touchdowns on 7.2 yards per carry.Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, a Heisman Prize hopeful, held the previous high this season with 267 hurrying lawns versus Georgia Southern.Kentucky has actually lost three in a row, and it dropped to 3-5 with its seventh successive SEC home defeat. The Wildcats remain in threat of not ending up being bowl eligible for the first time considering that 2015, with games versus No. 7 Tennessee, No. 5 Texas and competing Louisville still

ahead in November.” I truly do not have much to state. Just strike the repeat button,”Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said.”I believe you all get tired about hearing the exact same thing, but it’s more of the very same. Need to end up drives, need to get in the end zone, need to get better in each phase of the game. Just got beat.

Bottom line: We got beat. “