No. 6 Auburn had its backsup against the wall in Saturday’s contest against FCS team Jacksonville State, and the Tigers needed a heroic effort from running back Peyton Barber to avoid what could have been a monumental upset.
The Gamecocks had a lead late into the fourth quarter, but Auburn fought back to force overtime. And that’s when Barber put the team on his back with this impressive run that helped the Tigers score a touchdown soon after. Barber, a former three-star recruit, entered the season as Auburn’s third running back on the depth chart, but he had 115 yards against Louisville in Week 1.
Per Greg Ostendorf of ESPN.com, Auburn’s coaching staff wasn’t all that surprised by his performance in Atlanta, although they maybe didn’t see an effort like this coming when the Tigers needed it most on Saturday. Said offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee:
“Peyton’s steady, he’s always been. The two years that he’s been here, he’s been very consistent and he comes to work every day the same. He’s just like everybody else, but he finally got his opportunity and made the most of it.”
Auburn was able to stop Jacksonville State’s ensuing possession went on to narrowly escape with a 27-20 victory. This wouldn’t have been the first time the Gamecocks stopped an SEC team in its tracks; Jacksonville State beat Ole Miss in two overtimes way back in 2010 with a really wild finish.
(Via: Vine)
