Auburn Tigers defensive back Jerrin Thompson had a memorable night in the team’s 45-19 win over New Mexico, but he was quick to credit his teammates for his success. Despite a less-than-stellar overall defensive performance, Thompson’s contribution was a highlight.
Thompson recorded his first career interception, a key play in Auburn’s defense, which marked the team’s first turnovers of the season. “A lot of guys were doing their jobs,” Thompson said. “I wouldn’t have been in the position to make that play without Eugene (Asante). He put pressure on the quarterback, causing him to make a hurried throw, and I was able to capitalize on it.”
Similar to their performance against California, Auburn’s defense showed significant improvement in the second half. Thompson attributed this turnaround to the adjustments made by the coaching staff during halftime. “We were just making simple mistakes that we had practiced,” Thompson explained. “We needed to get back to our fundamentals and play Auburn football.”
New Mexico quarterback Devon Dampier, a dual-threat player, posed challenges for Auburn’s defense. Thompson noted that many of the issues Dampier exploited were self-inflicted rather than due to any extraordinary play from the Lobos. “A lot of the big plays they had were just mental mistakes on our part,” Thompson said. “We had a good game plan; we just need to execute better and make the plays when they come our way.”
As the Tigers prepare for their SEC opener, Thompson emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong, consistent mentality. “Our goal is to always be the best version of ourselves, regardless of the opponent,” Thompson stated. “No matter who we face, we want to be the best Auburn we can be.”
Auburn will face Arkansas in their SEC opener at Jordan-Hare Stadium next Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT, with the game broadcast on ESPN.
