Auburn running back Jarquez Hunter rushed for 278 yards, the most of any FBS player this season, and scored two touchdowns on Saturday to help the Tigers overcome a four-game deficit with their first SEC win, a 24-10 comeback victory with the Kentucky Wildcats.

Hunter posted a career-best performance with just 23 carries and broke down three runs of 40 or more yards, including a 45-yard touchdown to end the game in the fourth quarter. His 278 rushing yards were the fourth-most in a game in program history.

The Tigers started 0-4 in SEC conference play with losses to Arkansas, Oklahoma, Georgia and Missouri, but found a way to bounce back against Kentucky, powered by a rushing attack that totaled 326 yards, the most ever Wildcats team has admitted since 2018.

“To be honest, I was tired of losing,” Hunter said. “I told the coach that we will find a way to win this game. No matter how we do it or how it is done, we will find a way. I try to do my best. “For my teammates and coaches, I try to do my best every time I play and I tried to take advantage of them.

After Hunter ran for 57 yards on 19 carries in last week’s 21-17 loss at Missouri, Auburn coach Hugh Freeze said the senior defensive back texted his coaches and apologized for his performance.

“He said, ‘I didn’t carry us tonight,'” Freeze said. “Just to see him be so successful after how he felt last week is satisfying for a kid who has worked as hard as he has.”

Auburn (3-5) faced a 10-0 deficit in the first quarter but battled back with efficient shooting on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Payton Thorne completed 15 of his last 16 passes, Hunter averaged 12.1 yards per carry and Auburn’s defense shut down the Wildcats in the second half, allowing just 79 yards on 21 plays.

“We obviously had our chance to win a lot of football games this year and for whatever reason – lack of confidence or not making the right decision or not making the right play – things just didn’t go our way,” Freeze said. “Today That evening our kids found a way to win.”

Hunter now leads the SEC in rushing with 863 yards and five touchdowns on 7.2 yards per carry.

Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, a Heisman Trophy contender, tied the season-high with 267 rushing yards against Georgia Southern.

Kentucky has lost three straight and dropped to 3-5 with its seventh straight SEC home loss. The Wildcats are in danger of being out of bowl eligibility for the first time since 2015 with games remaining in November against No. 7 Tennessee, No. 5 Texas and rival Louisville.

“I really don’t have much to say. Just hit the replay button,” Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said. “I think you all get tired of hearing the same thing, but it’s more of the same. You have to finish drives, you have to get into the end zone, you have to get better in every phase of the game. I’ve just been beaten. Conclusion.”: We were beaten.”