PLAYERS TO WATCH
–RB JaTarvious Whitlow has a firm grip on the rushing lead for Auburn, though he has yet to start a game. The redshirt freshman has rushed 57 times for 303 yards and a team-high four touchdowns.
–WR Ryan Davis has had multiple receptions in 18 consecutive games after snagging six balls in the win over Arkansas. Davis has a team-high 19 receptions for the season, good for 149 yards (second to WR Anthony Schwartz’s 163 on eight catches).
–LB Deshaun Davis leads Auburn with 29 tackles, which ranks fifth in the conference. He also has a sack and three quarterback hurries and has broken up a pass in leading the Tigers’ defense.
–CB Noah Igbinoghene has yet to record an interception since being moved from wide receiver but he has been credited with breaking up three passes and forcing a fumble to go along with his 13 tackles. The sophomore speedster return a kickoff 96 yards against Arkansas last week to earn SEC Special Teams Player of the Week. That gives him 141 yards on three runbacks. “I don’t know why but it came to my head that it was going to be a big play this weekend,” Igbinoghene said. “I actually dreamed about it.”
SERIES HISTORY: Auburn leads the series with Southern Mississippi 17-5 overall and 15-4 in Auburn. Auburn won the last meeting 27-13 in 2008.
QUOTE TO NOTE: -“Noah’s a dynamic guy. I think you all saw that last year. The more opportunities he gets, he has a chance to bring it back. And there were some really good blocks on that play, too.”- Coach Gus Malzahn, on Igbinoghene’s 96-yard kickoff return against Arkansas.
