The Auburn Tigers week 13 game against the Samford Bulldogs marked the end of the 2014 home schedule and the last time Auburn's seniors take to Pat-Dye Field.
Led by senior quarterback, Nick Marshall, the Tigers won 31-7 to take their record to 8-3. Despite a poor first quarter where he threw a pick and had only two completions for six yards, Marshall ended with 171 yards on 18 completions with one touchdown pass.
Senior running backs Cameron Artis-Payne and Corey Grant shared the running back responsibilities for the night. Artis-Payne ran for 129 yards on 24 carries including a seven-yard rush for a score with 0:39 left in the second quarter.
Artis-Payne became a member of an elite group including Tre Mason, Bo Jackson, Rudi Johnson and Cam Newton as Auburn players to rush for over 1,400 yards in a season.
"I wasn't a part of their recruiting class, and when I got here they treated me like family," said Artis-Payne, "The Auburn Family is really not something we just say, it's real. I appreciate and love all (the seniors) just like they're my brothers so it's hard to see this thing coming to an end."
Grant ended the game with only four yards on three carries, but with 8:36 left in the third quarter, Grant caught a 13-yard pass from Marshall to put the tigers up 24-7.
Fellow senior Quan Bray had a sizeable impact on the tiger's offense ending with 3 rushes for 45 yards, including a 23-yard handoff for a score with 6:50 left in the second quarter. Bray also tallied 56 yards on 4 receptions and ended with a total of 131 all-purpose yards.
Bray became the first Auburn player to complete a rushing touchdown, receiving touchdown and punt return touchdown in the same season.
Senior tight end, C.J. Uzomah was very honest after the game about what this last home game meant to him.
"It was an emotional feeling, at the Tiger Walk, I saw my mom and I was tearing up," said Uzomah, "It's definitely an emotional feeling knowing that it's the last time I'm going out on Jordan-Hare to play."
The Tigers defense, led by seniors Gabe Wright, Jonathan Mincy, Robinson Therezie, and Jermaine Whitehead, gave up a total of 238 yards and forced two turnovers.
Mincy ended the night with an interception with 6:10 left in the 4th quarter to go with six tackles.
After the game, defensive back Jermaine Whitehead said that his last game in Jordan-Hare was one of the best moments he's experienced considering only a few weeks ago he was benched.
"That was one of the most amazing things ever," said Whitehead, "Especially where my career almost went. It's a testament to all the hard work we've put in over the years."
Head coach Gus Malzahn spoke about what it means to be able to send his seniors out with a win and the impact that they've had on the team.
"I'm very happy for our seniors," said Malzahn, "It's a special group and it's good to send them out on a high note. They've been phenomenal for our program, not just as players, but as individuals."
This current class of seniors end their Auburn careers with a 23-6 when defending home field.
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