Auburn football snaps year-long SEC losing streak behind Jarquez Hunter's historic performance

Jarquez Hunter Leads Tigers to Win with Career-high 278 Yards

Jarquez Hunter lifted the Auburn football out of their losing ways against Kentucky
Jarquez Hunter lifted the Auburn football out of their losing ways against Kentucky | Andy Lyons/GettyImages

Auburn football finally found redemption with a hard-fought 24-10 victory over the Kentucky Wildcats on Saturday night, securing their first SEC win of the season and snapping a four-game losing streak.

Not redemption against UK, to be clear. They own the Wildcats. But redemption against being a snake-bitten team that plays like a winner but loses.

Led by a historic performance from senior running back Jarquez Hunter, Auburn overcame an early 10-point deficit and dominated the second half to claim victory at Kroger Field in Lexington, Kentucky.

It didn't always look like it'd end up that way.

Auburn football suffers from rough start

Auburn’s defense appeared shaky at the start, allowing Kentucky to score 10 quick points in the first quarter. The Wildcats capitalized on Auburn’s early defensive lapses, including two impressive catches by wide receiver Dane Key, which accounted for 55 of Kentucky’s 100 first-quarter yardage. Kentucky’s Alex Raynor kicked a 46-yard field goal, then there was a two-yard touchdown run by Jamarion Wilcox. Then Auburn was down 10-0.

Despite the rocky start, Auburn's defense found its footing as the game progressed. Defensive end Keldrick Faulk reflected on the team’s improved focus, saying, “Once we lock in on our job, we look really good.”

By halftime, the Tigers had stabilized, holding Kentucky to just three additional yards in the second quarter and entering the locker room with the game tied at 10-10.

Jarquez Hunter fueled Auburn football's comeback

Hunter was the heart of Auburn’s offense, delivering a career-high 278 rushing yards on 23 carries —the fourth-best single-game rushing performance in Auburn history. His dominant running game marked a turning point in the second half, where he accounted for 214 of his 278 yards, including two crucial long runs and a 45-yard touchdown that widened Auburn’s lead.

“I got tired of losing,” Hunter said postgame. “I told Coach Freeze that we were going to find a way to win the game this week.”

His determination was evident, as he wore down Kentucky’s defense with consistent, explosive plays. Hunter’s ability to break through tackles and find open space helped Auburn pick up 251 rushing yards in the second half alone, as they ultimately finished with a 498-224 advantage in total yards.

Second-half surge: Auburn's defense locks down Kentucky

Auburn’s defense also stepped up in the second half, limiting Kentucky to a mere 79 yards after halftime. The Tigers’ relentless pressure resulted in two interceptions and held Kentucky scoreless through the final two quarters. Senior LB Dorian Mausi led the defense with 10 tackles, while freshman cornerback Kayin Lee delivered a critical interception on a goal-line stand late in the fourth quarter, sealing Auburn’s victory.

“We knew it was going to be a dogfight,” said Lee. “I just kept telling everybody, ‘Let’s just finish.’”

Lee’s interception crushed Kentucky’s hopes of a comeback and underscored Auburn’s improved resilience and focus — a quality that had eluded them in previous games.

Offensive adjustments and key plays key Auburn football's first SEC win of 2024

Entering the second half tied at 10-10, Auburn opened with a methodical, 14-play, 75-yard scoring drive that took over seven minutes off the clock. Hunter’s relentless runs, including a crucial 12-yard carry, set up a one-yard touchdown that put Auburn in the lead for good. The Tigers’ coaching staff’s decision to lean on the ground game paid off, as Kentucky’s defense struggled to contain Hunter’s powerful runs.

On Auburn’s next possession, Hunter broke free for a 50-yard dash, setting up another scoring opportunity. Although the drive stalled, Auburn’s momentum was unstoppable. In the fourth quarter, Hunter’s 45-yard touchdown run extended the Tigers’ lead to 24-10, effectively putting the game out of reach.

Kentucky had one final opportunity to score, but QB Gavin Wimsatt’s fourth-down pass was intercepted by Lee, who returned it deep into Auburn territory. This pivotal play marked the Tigers’ resolve to “finish” — a lesson learned from their painful last-minute loss to Missouri the previous week.

Looking ahead: Auburn football reclaims confidence

With this win, Auburn moves to 3-5 overall and 1-4 in the SEC, breaking their winless streak in conference play. Hunter’s historic performance not only placed him sixth on Auburn’s all-time rushing list but also cemented him as the SEC’s leading rusher heading into November with 863 yards.

The Tigers’ defense, led by key players like Lee and Faulk, also proved its capability to step up under pressure and seal the game.

Dorian Mausi summed up the team’s sentiment, saying, “It’s a good win—we’ll be happy about it tonight. But when we get back in that building, we’ve got to go play.”

With renewed confidence, the Tigers look forward to building on this win and finishing the season strong.