A week after losing two of three fumbles, sophomore running back JaTarvious "Boobee" Whitlow led a trio of 100-yard rushers for No. 8 Auburn as the Tigers crushed Kent State 55-16 Saturday night at Auburn, Ala.
With their top deep threat, receiver Seth Williams, out injured, the Tigers (3-0) emphasized their running game and Whitlow went over the 100-yard mark with an 11-yard run on his first carry of the second half.
Running back Shaun Shivers and backup quarterback Joey Gatewood each rushed for 102 yards on 12 runs, and running back Kam Martin rushed for 71 yards, with 35 coming on a first-quarter touchdown run.
The Tigers ended up rushing for 467 yards of their 633 yards of total offense.
Quarterback Bo Nix (12-of-16) passed for 161 yards, including a 49-yard touchdown toss to receiver Eli Stove. It was the first time in three games he hasn't had more than 30 passing attempts.
Stove finished with 88 yards on six receptions.
Kent State quarterback Dustin Crum completed 15 of 24 passes for 198 yards and a touchdown, and led the Golden Flashes (1-2) in rushing with just 30 yards. Backup quarterback Woody Barrett, who started his collegiate career at Auburn, went 3-of-11 passing but had a touchdown pass.
Auburn went to the locker room up 24-10 at halftime but scored 17 unanswered points in the third quarter and first play of the fourth to break the game open.
After falling behind 3-0 when Matthew Trickett kicked a 21-yard field goal on the Golden Flashes' first drive, the Tigers countered with Whitlow's 3-yard touchdown run and Martin's 35-yard dash to go up 14-3 after the first quarter.
--Field Level Media
