Jatarvious Whitlow, Western Illinois Football News: Draft Scout Player News

09/14/19 - RB Jatarvious Whitlow, rSr/2022, Western Illinois

The Auburn Tigers came out determined to run and run some more. It was a pretty effective strategy. JaTarvious Whitlow rushed for 135 yards and two touchdowns and Bo Nix ran and passed for scores to lead the eighth-ranked Tigers to a 55-16 victory over Kent State Saturday night. "We found our identity early in running the ball," Nix said. "We really moved them up front and we got in a rhythm running the ball. That really opened up certain outside throws, some short ones and got me in a little bit of a rhythm." The Tigers (3-0) piled up 467 rushing yards - and three 100-yard rushers - in their final tune up before Southeastern Conference play. They also got some big plays running and passing from Nix, including a 49-yard flea flicker to a wide-open Eli Stove for a touchdown in the third quarter. Then both offensive stars were able to head to the sideline after the Tigers avoided a pre-SEC letdown against the Golden Flashes (1-2).

Most of the damage was done with a running game that had struggled at times. Nix had runs of 17 and 18 yards on consecutive plays to set up a touchdown on the opening drive and added a 1-yard score. He completed 12 of 16 passes for 161 yards for an offense that topped its combined points from the first two games. "I really think the quarterback keeping it a few times early really opens things up the middle," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said. Backup quarterback Joey Gatewood ran for 102 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Shaun Shivers, Auburn's 5-foot-7, 179-pound running back, also gained 102 yards. It was the first time Auburn had three 100-yard rushers in a game since 1983 with a Bo Jackson-led group against Maryland. - Auburn/AP College Football

rSr/2022