Inside the Locker Room: Auburn players on second half rally in win against Western Kentucky

AUBURN — For 24 players, this was their last time playing in Jordan Hare stadium.

They were able to end their home game careers with a win, defeating Western Kentucky, 41-17 on Saturday.

After a strong start, Auburn’s performance began to plateau heading into halftime. Western Kentucky had 14 unanswered points to tie up the game at 17. The Tigers were able to pick it back up, though. The defense kept the Hilltoppers scoreless during the second half allowing the offense to regain momentum and take the lead.

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In the first quarter, Jarquez Hunter had his first touchdown throw, a 20-yard halfback pass to Koy Moore, who was in the end zone. This was Moore’s first touchdown of his Auburn career.

This play looks familiar 😏 pic.twitter.com/y41r2aQtZs

— Auburn Football (@AuburnFootball) November 19, 2022

Defensive accolades are headlined by two interceptions. Jaylin Simpson’s came first, his second in just three games. In the fourth quarter, D.J. James returned his interception for a touchdown and extended Auburn’s lead to 24.

Let’s hear what the players had to say about today’s performance.

Jarquez Hunter

What made a difference in the second half?

“We just came out and played hard and started hitting them in the mouth. First half, we were just going out there, trying to play with the competition. Second half we’re coming out there and we ran the ball better.”

What it means for him and Bigsby’s big performances the past two weeks

“It means a lot. We work hard in practice, we go full speed all week just to come out here and execute in the game.”

The importance of preparing for the Iron Bowl this week

“It’s important, we’ve just got to go into practice, execute and make all of the things happen and just go out there and play hard on Saturday. I think we could get a win.”

How much is would mean to win the Iron Bowl next Saturday

“It would mean a lot. All of the adversity we’ve had this year with the coaches getting fired, it’ll mean a lot for Coach Cadillac just going out there and winning this game.”

Colby Wooden

Looking forward, how does Auburn keep this momentum?

“We definitely have got the momentum, we’ve just got to keep fighting. Early on, they fought us back. They definitely did come out and punch us. Luckily, we were able to bounce back and kind of get back to what we’re doing: run the football, play physical defense. Shoutout to coach lac for trusting us and letting us do our thing.”

The second half shutout

“That was special. I didn’t recognize it until after the game, but thats one way to go out in Jordan-Hare, to hold them to no punches in the second half, that was crazy. Shoutout to our secondary, they definitely locked them down. There were a couple times when they got the ball out, but they stepped up when they needed to. I love my guys.”

Derick Hall

Hall started with a thank you to the media

“I just wanted to say thank you to y’all. I know I’ve done a lot of media and y’all have had a lot of questions for me and y’all have made this nothing short of amazing with the interesting questions, of course. But I just want to say thank y’all. We’re all family here. My time here has been great… Thank y’all for the hard work that y’all do on a daily basis and covering this team…”

What does is mean to play your last game in Jordan-Hare? We saw you were overcome with emotions. (Asked by teammate, Colby Wooden)

“The same process that you went through? Nah, man, my time here at Auburn has been nothing short of amazing. Auburn is a very special place. I came in here as a 17 year old boy and I’m leaving a 21 year old man. Auburn has done a lot for me, I’ll forever be indebted to this place I’ll forever be indebted to the people, but I know one thing about Auburn. They say if you love Auburn, Auburn will love you back. This is home for me and I know I’ll be able to come home…”

The locker room at halftime, when Williams left and let the team work through things on their own

“We weren’t playing Auburn football. We came in and first thing I said was ‘everybody up’ and that’s what we did. That’s the player led opportunity that he (Coach Williams) gives us every single day, to have a player led team. We had to stand firm right there, rally these troops, come together and play a better second half.”

Kilian Zierer

How it’s been as an offensive lineman playing more physical football recently

“Its been fun. We’ve had the plays, but we kind of just went back to running the football, playing Auburn football. We all knew with Coach Friend calling plays, we’re going to run the ball… It’s been fun.”

Offensive improvements in the second half

“I think we just, in the second half, it just all clicked. We knew what they were doing, we figured them out and we just played how we’re supposed to in the second half. Other than that, we were just a better team in the second half overall.”