Shaun Shivers took to the transfer portal this past offseason to get a bigger role than he would get with Auburn football this season — and it has immediately worked out for the five-foot-seven bruiser out of Fort Lauderdale.
In his first appearance for Indiana, despite a lackluster performance for most of the game (15 rushing attempts for 28 yards), Shivers scored the game-winning touchdown with 23 seconds left against Illinois to secure the home win for the Hoosiers. That came after a scary hit from Illinois DB Devon Witherspoon that saw him collapse to the ground for the next snap.
Having spent four seasons with Auburn football, Shivers had immediate eligibility as a grad transfer and chose the Hoosiers to compete with UNC transfer Josh Henderson for the starting role. Given Henderson’s own struggles Friday night (six rushes for seven yards) it’s seemingly Shivers’ job to lose given his late-game heroics.
Tiger fans should be happy for Shivers, who would have had an uphill climb to find the field in 2022 on the Plains with freshman Damari Alston and second-year Trussville product Sean Jackson joining Tank Bigsby and Jarquez Hunter in the backfield.
Twitter responds to former Auburn football RB Shaun Shivers’ game-winning touchdown for Indiana
As social media does during college football’s most unforgettable moments, Twitter had a field day with Shaun Shivers’ game-winning touchdown — which singlehandedly saved his debut after the Illinois run-defense had a second-straight dominant win.
Here were some of the reactions from Auburn football Twitter:
that finish is why transfer freedom is a good thing:
— Justin Ferguson (@JFergusonAU) September 3, 2022
Shaun Shivers spends four years at Auburn, plays his role well and becomes a school legend for his TD in the Iron Bowl
then Worm gets an opportunity to be THE lead back somewhere new and get his number called for the winner
turned on Illinois-Indiana and I immediately see Shaun Shivers putting on a pass protection clinic at running back
— Justin Ferguson (@JFergusonAU) September 3, 2022
So happy for Shaun Shivers right now.
— Will (@ShootyHoopsWill) September 3, 2022
Second-best game-winning touchdown of Shaun Shivers’ career.
— Bennett Durando (@BennettDurando) September 3, 2022
SHAUN SHIVERS WAR DAMN HOOSIERS
— Ryan Sterritt (@RyanSSterritt) September 3, 2022
Shivers is already a hero in Bloomington, and Tiger fans now have a vested interest in the Big Ten since he appears like he’ll be an important Hoosier moving forward.