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A spirit that is not afraid

Jarrett Stidham flips switch late, pulls out dramatic win over Texas A&M

Jarrett Stidham (8) looks to make a pass during the second half of Auburn Football vs. Texas A&M on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018, in Auburn, Ala.
Jarrett Stidham (8) looks to make a pass during the second half of Auburn Football vs. Texas A&M on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018, in Auburn, Ala.

Redshirt junior quarterback Jarrett Stidham had All-SEC expectations from most media outlets coming into the season, as well as being tabbed as arguably the country’s top pro quarterback prospect in many mock drafts. 

Nine games into the 2018 season and Stidham and the Auburn offense have, for the most part, struggled to find a groove, and Stidham himself has been a disappointment in the eyes of many.

However, there's a reason the Stephenville, Texas, native was so highly touted before the season, and he got the opportunity to showcase that elite talent Saturday afternoon in a 28-24 win over No. 20 Texas A&M.

He didn't have the top QB rating of the day. That award went to wide receiver and former high school quarterback Ryan Davis who, on a trick play, connected with a wide-open Sal Cannella for 20 yards and Auburn's first touchdown of the day.

The Tigers were unable to get the run game going throughout the day and, as a result, much of the responsibility was put on Stidham's shoulders, something the junior is more than comfortable handling.

Through three quarters, it was three-and-out after three-and-out and going into the fourth, Auburn found itself with a 10-point deficit and the momentum completely belonging to the Aggies. 

However, that wasn't what was on Stidham's mind.

After a Noah Igbinoghene interception gave the Tigers the ball back with roughly seven and 1/2 minutes left, down 10, Stidham knew he had to flip the switch. 

And flip it he did, driving down the field in only two minutes. Stidham sliced through the A&M defense with precise, accurate throws. A 1-yard Chandler Cox rushing touchdown capped off a eight-play, 71-yard drive that put Auburn within three.

As it has done many times this season, the Auburn defense came up big and, after forcing Kellen Mond and company to punt, Auburn had a minute and 41 seconds to try and take the lead and complete the unlikely comeback.

It didn't take long. After senior Ryan Davis took a routine slant play for 47 yards, Stidham found big-play freshman receiver Seth Williams in the back left corner in the endzone for a two-play, 58-yard drive that gave Auburn the lead with only a minute and a half to go.

"Seth is a freak," Stidham said. "He will continue to be a freak for a very long time. Full confidence in him. It’s fun that I get to see him grow each week."

Williams contributed only two catches in Saturday's matchups, but both were 11-yard touchdowns that gave the Tigers the lead at integral times.

"He’s a true freshman, but you wouldn’t think it the way he’s playing and just the way he’s catching on to everything," Stidham said.

The Auburn defense held on and the comeback was complete. 

But perhaps the most impressive aspect is that, after not being particularly impressive in the first 50 or so minutes of the game and under immense pressure, Stidham came out composed and focused late. 

Stidham completed seven of his last eight passing attempts for 125 of his 239 passing yards coming in those final minutes. 

"I mean, whatever is asked of me and the rest of the team, that’s what we’re going to do," Stidham said.

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Stidham has been far from perfect this season, but he did exactly what he needed to do against the Aggies: didnt turn it over, got the ball to both young stars and established veterans while being the leader many expected him to be.

"It’s great to win," Stidham said. "We’ve had every type of adversity hit us this year. It hasn’t been the year we wanted, but to come in and play a really, really good Texas A&M team. The home team has never won this game. It was just great to see the guys pull together at the end and fight for each other and get the win."


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