As senior linebacker Justin Garrett neared the end zone in the Georgia Dome on Saturday, he was laughing.
When Garrett scooped up a fumble and ran it back for a score to give Auburn its second touchdown, he was accompanied by fellow Georgia native Tray Matthews, who provided some comic relief in the heat of battle.
“He was telling me to do like the high step or something running back to the end zone,” Garrett said. “I was just laughing at what he was telling me. He was talking to me the whole time.”
Garrett has struggled at times with injuries during his five seasons at Auburn, but he started at linebacker against Louisville and made one of the biggest plays of the game.
With just under seven minutes left in the second quarter, Louisville lined up at the Auburn 16 yard line looking to tie the score at seven.
Defensive tackle Montravius Adams shot through the line at the snap, throwing off the timing of Louisville’s quarterback-running back exchange. An Auburn player appeared to fall on the ball, but it squirted away, giving Garrett the opportunity of a lifetime.
“I thought somebody had scooped it up and I just saw the ball pop out,” Garrett said. “Montravius came in there and disrupted everything and forced a fumble, and I just saw the ball pop out and picked it up and ran back for a touchdown.”
Eighty-two yards later, Garrett crossed the goal line with a smile on his face.
“It was fun,” Garrett said. “I owe it all to God. I’ve faced a lot of injuries and a lot of adverse situations in my past. … To be able to come back from it, I owe it all to God.”
Making the play in the Georgia Dome made the moment even sweeter for Garrett.
“Growing up, the Dome was like 15 minutes away from my house,” Garrett said. “It’s a little kid’s dream to play in the Georgia Dome. It’s a good feeling when you’re able to come back and play here.”
Will Muschamp brought a new energy to the defense in his first game as Auburn’s defensive coordinator, and the defense forced a couple of early turnovers that helped swing the momentum in Auburn’s favor.
“(Muschamp’s) presence, and all the defensive coaches out there, it was just a blessing to have him out there,” Garrett said.
The senior was amused by Muschamp’s reaction to the play when Garrett returned to the sideline, and said the defensive coordinator was focused on improvement despite the big play.
“He was telling me I messed up on the play like two plays before that,” Garrett said with a laugh. “(He said) I’ve got to make sure I read my keys and do the right thing.”
Making a huge play for the defense would’ve been special for Garrett anywhere, but it was especially fun playing close to home with his mom, dad and multiple other family members in attendance.
“In four years I haven’t been able really to produce like that, dealing with injuries and stuff like that,” Garrett said. “To see the smiles on my mom and dad’s faces knowing that, I was actually able to step in and do something to help the team out, it’s a good feeling.”
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