Bo Nix, Jarquez Hunter pick up weekly SEC honors

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Bo Nix, Jarquez Hunter pick up weekly SEC honors for LSU performances

By Tom Green | tgreen@al.com

2-3 minutes

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Auburn quarterback Bo Nix (10) scrambles in the second half of an NCAA college football game against LSU in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021. Auburn won 24-19. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)AP

Bo Nix and Jarquez Hunter were vital to Auburn finally bringing an end to its 10-game losing streak in Baton Rouge, La., and on Monday, the SEC recognized the two Auburn players for their roles in the win.

Nix was named SEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in Auburn’s 24-19 win on the bayou, while Hunter was tabbed the SEC’s Co-Freshman of the Week for his effort against LSU. It’s the first time this season any Auburn players have picked up weekly SEC honors.

Nix completed 23-of-44 passes for 255 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for a career-high 74 yards and a score Saturday night. He sparked Auburn’s comeback efforts after falling behind 13-0, making dazzling fourth-down plays with his legs on back-to-back scoring drives in the first half. The first produced the signature play of his career -- a sack-evading scramble that culminated in a 24-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Fromm -- while the other helped set up a 49-yard Anders Carlson field goal before halftime.

He also directed Auburn’s game-winning touchdown drive in the final minutes, as the team drove 92 yards over 11 plays to take a 24-19 lead with 3:11 left.

That’s also where Hunter stepped in. The freshman running back finished with 65 rushing yards and a touchdown on six carries. Fifty-three of those came on Auburn’s decisive drive, with a 44-yarder to put Auburn in scoring position and then back-to-back runs inside the 10-yard line, capped by his 1-yard go-ahead touchdown.

Hunter is the only FBS player this season to average more than 10 yards per carry.

Nix shared the weekly SEC honor with Alabama running back Brian Robinson and Mississippi State quarterback Will Rogers, while Hunter shared the honor with Tennessee running back Len’Neth Whitehead.

Tom Green is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Tomas_Verde.