PLAYERS TO WATCH
–RB Jatarvious Whitlow paced the running game with 88 yards on eight carries, but lost a touchdown when he fumbled at State’s 1-yard line trying to stretch out for a touchdown. A redshirt freshman, Whitlow leads Auburn in rushing with 414 yards on 69 carries, a 6.0 average, with four touchdowns.
–WR Ryan Davis leads the Tigers in receiving with 29 catches good for 252 yards. He is coming off an 8-catch, 91-yard night in the loss to Mississippi State.
–DE Marlon Davidson recorded a career-high 10 tackles against Mississippi State. The junior also blocked a field goal for the first time in his collegiate career, keeping alive the Tigers’ hopes of getting a late score to send the game to overtime.
–DT Dontavius Russell doesn’t have big numbers (16 tackles, 4.0 for losses, 1.0 sack and a quarterback hurry) but he is a disruptive force inside for the Tigers. He is a senior that nfldraftscout.com rates as an “immediate” contributor at the NFL level next season.
SERIES HISTORY: Auburn leads Tennessee 28-21-3. This will be the first meeting since 2013, when Auburn won 55-23.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “He’s still a young guy. He’s still learning. I think he’s got a chance to be a good running back in this league.” — Coach Gus Malzahn, on redshirt freshman RB Jatarvious Whitlow.
