Auburn running back Jarquez Hunter rushed for 278 yards, the most of any FBS player this season, and two touchdowns on Saturday to break the Tigers’ four-game deficit with their first SEC victory, a 24-10 comeback -victory at Kentucky Wildcats.

Hunter turned in a career-best performance on just 23 carries and broke three rushes of 40 or more yards, including a 45-yard touchdown to put the game away in the fourth quarter. His 278 rushing yards were the fourth-most in a game in program history.

The Tigers started 0-4 in SEC conference play with losses to Arkansas, Oklahoma, Georgia and Missouri, but found a way to rally against Kentucky, powered by a rushing attack that totaled 326 yards, the most allowed for a Wildcats team since 2018.

“Honestly, I got tired of losing,” Hunter said. “I told Coach, I said we’re going to find a way to win this game. It doesn’t matter how we do it or how it’s done, we’re going to find a way. I’m trying to do my best.” for my teammates and coaches, I try to give it my all on every play I got. I tried to take advantage of the opportunities I had today and I tried to exhaust them.”

After Hunter rushed for 57 yards on 19 carries in the 21-17 loss to Missouri last week, Auburn coach Hugh Freeze said the senior back sent a text message to his coaches and apologized for his performance.

“He said, ‘I didn’t behave tonight,’” Freeze said. “It’s satisfying to see him have so much success after how he felt last week, for a kid who has worked as hard as he has.”

Auburn (3-5) fell behind 10-0 in the first quarter, but fought back with efficient efforts on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Payton Thorne completed 15 of his last 16 passes, Hunter averaged 12.1 yards per carry and Auburn’s defense shut down the Wildcats in the second half, allowing just 79 yards on 21 plays.

“We’ve clearly had our chances to win a lot of football games this year and for whatever reason (a lack of confidence, not making the right decision or not playing the right play) things just haven’t gone the way they should. we wanted.” Freeze said. “Tonight our kids found a way to win.”

Hunter now leads the SEC in rushing with 863 yards and five touchdowns on 7.2 yards per carry.

Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, a Heisman Trophy hopeful, held the previous high this season with 267 rushing yards against Georgia Southern.

Kentucky has lost three straight and fell to 3-5 with its seventh straight SEC home loss. The Wildcats are in danger of being out of bowl eligibility for the first time since 2015, with games against No. 7 Tennessee, No. 5 Texas and rival Louisville still ahead in November.

“I really don’t have much to say. Just hit the replay button,” Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said. “I think you’re all getting tired of hearing the same thing, but it’s more of the same. The need to finish drives, get to the end zone, the need to get better in every phase of the game. I just defeated. In short: we are defeated.”