Auburn LB Eugene Asante named SEC co-defensive player of the week
Auburn linebacker Eugene Asante was named SEC co-defensive player of the week along with Mississippi State linebacker Jett Johnson. Asante had 12 tackles, 10 solo, 1.5 tackles for loss, a sack, a pass break up, and 2 quarterback hurries.
Asante, a junior who transferred from North Carolina in 2021, made his first start in an Auburn uniform. He was the backup in week one against UMass, but came off of the bench and led the team in tackles. He has now led the team in tackles in both games.
Asante was excited about his performance after the game.
“It was big for me because I played on scout team last year,” Asante said post game. “That fuels me, being out there. Coach Roberts, Coach Aldridge and this staff gave me an opportunity to show what I can do. I’m forever grateful to them. It was a great game.”
Why Asante was selected according to secsports.com
- Led Auburn in tackles for the second straight week, tallying a career-best 12 in the win at Cal, including nine solo stops.
- Making his first career start, he also registered a TFL (1.5) and sack (1.0) for the second straight week and added two QB pressures and a pass breakup.
- Came up with an 11-yard sack on third and 10 in the fourth quarter to push Cal to the brink of field goal range; the Bears then missed the attempt before Auburn drove down for the go-ahead score
- Nine of his 12 tackles came in the second half, when Auburn held Cal scoreless.
- The 10 points allowed in the game were tied for the fewest the Tigers have allowed against a Power 5 opponent since defeating Arkansas 34-3 on Sept. 22, 2018.
