AUBURN, Ala. – A week after failing to force a turnover against Cal, the Auburn defense knew it had to get some this week against New Mexico.
“Turnovers are one of the biggest differentials when you decide why a team won the game,” Auburn defensive back Jerrin Thompson said. “That was one of the points of emphasis we were working on this week – trying to create some turnovers. We knew these guys were loose with the ball, and we knew he was going to throw us some.”
Thompson was right.
Late in the first quarter, the Tigers got pressure and flushed New Mexico's quarterback out of the pocket where he tried to throw across his body. Thompon jumped over the intended target and ripped the ball away, making an incredible play for his first interception at Auburn.
“It was lot of guys doing their job,” the Texas transfer said. “I wouldn’t have done it without Eugene (Asante). He put pressure on the quarterback and made the guy throw up something. I just made the play on the ball.”
In the second half, pressure again forced a bad throw, and this time it was another transfer Antonio Kite who was in the right place at the right time. Kite hauled in the interception, flipping the momentum, and setting up another Auburn touchdown. Both turnovers led to points for the Tigers.
“We worked that all week in practice,” fellow defensive back Champ Anthony said. “We knew we were getting it. (Kite) played outside leverage and played the ball perfectly.
“I wanted him to score on that,” Anthony joked. “But I’m proud of him. Taking (what we learned in) the meeting room to the field. Taking (what we learned in) practice to the field. Making an adjustment and capitalizing on that.”