Quotes of Note: Auburn football players on facing Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia

Auburn football players talk about their upcoming rematch with former New Mexico State QB Diego Pavia.
New Mexico State Aggies quarterback Diego Pavia (10) throws the ball during the first quarter as Auburn Tigers take on New Mexico State Aggies at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
New Mexico State Aggies quarterback Diego Pavia (10) throws the ball during the first quarter as Auburn Tigers take on New Mexico State Aggies at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023. / Jake Crandall / USA TODAY NETWORK
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Auburn football players talk about their upcoming rematch with former New Mexico State QB Diego Pavia

For a lot of the Auburn football players, the upcoming Vanderbilt game will be a rematch of sorts. Last season, the week before the Iron Bowl, Jerry Kill brought his New Mexico State team led by quarterback Diego Pavia into Jordan-Hare Stadium and soundly beat the Tigers 31-10.

It wasn't a game that many Auburn fans expected to lose, and it was a tough pill to swallow that was made even worse by the outcome of the following weekend's Iron Bowl.

This season, both Kill and Pavia are at Vanderbilt, and the Commodores have been having a historic season, most notably upsetting the Alabama Crimson Tide. But for the Auburn football players, this weekend's game is about more than just getting another conference win; it's about getting another shot at defeating Pavia.

Defensive end Keldric Faulk on the rematch, per AL.com:

“Honestly, I’m happy we get to play him again. We did not play our best ball against him last year.”

Linebacker Eugene Asante on preparation vs. emotion, per Auburn Undercover:

"You certainly do have to balance it. There's a lot of carryover when you play teams, you lose to them and you're coming into another season where you can get the opportunity to play them again. I know he's not with the same exact team, but he was at the helm of it. For me, it's certainly a thing where you don't forget anything that transpired. Ultimately, I'm excited he's having all the success he's having this season. I'm excited that Vanderbilt has had the success they've had this season. They've got a great team and a great squad. But I don't forget. And I'm going to make sure this team don't forget."

Linebacker Keyron Crawford on Pavia, per AL.com:

“He’s a threat. Like, he’s different, but he’s also a threat. He can run. He can pass. He’s very accurate, but I know he likes to scramble down the middle. We’re scheming him up pretty well.”

The Tigers and the Commodores will kick off from Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday at 11:45 a.m.