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Max Olson, ESPN Staff Writer
Auburn running back Jarquez Hunter rushed for 278 yards, the most by any FBS player this season, and two touchdowns on Saturday to snap the Tigers’ four-game slide with their first SEC victory, a 24-10 comeback win at Kentucky Wildcats.
Hunter put together a career-best performance on just 23 carries and broke three rushes of 40 or more yards, including a 45-yard touchdown to put the game away in the fourth quarter. His 278 rushing yards were the fourth most in a game in program history.
The Tigers started 0-4 in SEC conference play with losses to Arkansas, Oklahoma, Georgia and Missouri but found a way to rally against Kentucky, powered by a rushing attack that totaled 326 yards, the most allowed by a Wildcats team since 2018.
“To be honest, I got tired of losing,” Hunter said. “I told Coach, I said we’re going to find a way to win this game. It don’t matter how we do it or how it gets done, we’re going to find a way. I try to play my hardest for my teammates and coaches. I try to give my all every play I got. I tried to take advantage of my opportunities that I got today, and I tried to wear ’em out.”
After Hunter rushed for 57 yards on 19 carries in the 21-17 loss at Missouri last week, Auburn coach Hugh Freeze said the senior back sent a text message to his coaches and apologized for his performance.
“He said, ‘I didn’t carry us tonight,'” Freeze said. “Just to see him have that kind of success after feeling the way he did last week, for a kid that’s worked as hard as he has, is gratifying.”
Auburn (3-5) faced a 10-0 deficit in the first quarter but battled back with an efficient effort on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Payton Thorne completed 15 of his last 16 passes, Hunter averaged 12.1 yards per carry and Auburn’s defense shut down the Wildcats in the second half, allowing just 79 yards on 21 plays.
“We’ve obviously had our chances to win a lot of football games this year and for whatever reason — a lack of confidence or not making the right call or not making the right play — things just haven’t gone our way,” Freeze said. “Tonight, our kids found 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 Trophy hopeful, held the previous high this season with 267 rushing yards against Georgia Southern.
Kentucky has lost three in a row, and it dropped to 3-5 with its seventh consecutive SEC home defeat. The Wildcats are in danger of not becoming bowl eligible for the first time since 2015, with games against No. 7 Tennessee, No. 5 Texas and rival Louisville still ahead in November.
“I really don’t have much to say. Just hit the repeat button,” Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said. “I think you all get tired about hearing the same thing, but it’s more of the same. Need to finish 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.”