Auburn football notebook: Turning the game with turnovers

by Greg Ostendorf
Auburn football notebook: Turning the game with turnoversAuburn football notebook: Turning the game with turnovers
Austin Perryman/Auburn Tigers

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.”

“It was lot of guys doing their job. 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.”

Jerrin Thompson on his interception
20240914_FB_vs_UNM_ZB_129 (2)AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 14 - Auburn Tight End Rivaldo Fairweather (13) during the game between the Auburn Tigers and the New Mexico Lobos at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, AL on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. Photo by Zach Bland/Auburn Tigers

A SPECIAL TD CELEBRATION

As Auburn tight end Rivaldo Fairweather raced across the goal line Saturday night for his first touchdown of the 2024 season, he had one thing on his mind. His touchdown celebration. 

Fairweather set the ball down, ran toward the goal post, jumped up into the air, did a mini-pirouette and threw his hands down as he landed. If it looked familiar, it’s because it’s the same iconic celebration soccer player Christiano Ronaldo does after he scores a goal. 

Fairweather isn’t necessarily a huge soccer fan. He hit the “Ronaldo” because his older brother. 

“That was actually for my older brother,” Fairweather said. “His name is Ronaldo, and he’s in the military. Last year, he wasn’t able to come to any games. He was in Germany. This year was his first year coming to games, so I told him I was going to hit that for him. I did that for my brother.”

20240914_FB_vs_UNM_ZB_073AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 14 - Auburn Running Back Jarquez Hunter (27) during the game between the Auburn Tigers and the New Mexico Lobos at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, AL on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. Photo by Zach Bland/Auburn Tigers

SEC PLAY ON DECK

There were plenty of positives to take away from Saturday’s 45-19 win over Nex Mexico, but everybody in the locker room after the game knows Auburn can play even better. And with SEC play beginning this week against Arkansas, it’s time to find that next gear. 

“We needed this big win to go out there and show that we’re in the SEC for a reason,” Fairweather said. “Now it’s time for the big games and time to buckle up and get ready.”

“Next week we’ve got to go out and look at the details, things we need to work on going into SEC play because there are going to be better teams we’ve got to play,” added running back Jarquez Hunter. “They’re going to be more athletic, more challenging. We’ve just got to execute. I think we’ve just got to go out there and play as a team, play as one and just dominate – play for each other.”

Hunter rushed for a team-high 152 yards on 20 carries Saturday and added a pair of touchdowns. It was the ninth 100-yard game of his career and the first since he ran for 109 yards last season against Arkansas. 

The junior running back will look to do it again vs. the Razorbacks in next week’s SEC opener.