AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn’s Jalen McLeod has been named Southeastern Conference defensive player of the week while Tiger teammate Keionte Scott earned weekly honors for special teams, the SEC announced Monday.
In Auburn’s 48-10 win Saturday at Arkansas, McLeod, a junior jack linebacker, became the first Tiger to record three sacks in a game since Derick Hall’s hat trick in the 2021 Iron Bowl.
McLeod led the Tigers with nine tackles, four tackles for loss and a forced fumble in addition to his trio of sacks.
“As an edge rusher, it’s hard to come by one, but when you get three, it’s good,” McLeod said. “It comes from preparation. We’re having fun. We know it starts in the trenches.
“He had no pocket to stand in. When he can’t throw the ball and can’t see the wide receivers, that’s exactly what you want. When the quarterback can’t step up, it makes it easier for us.”
After helping Auburn’s defense stop the Razorbacks’ opening drive with a three-and-out, Scott fielded a punt at the Tigers’ 26-yard line and raced 74 yards for Auburn’s first punt return for a touchdown since Quan Bray in 2014 to give the Tigers a 14-0 at the 10:44 mark in the first quarter.
“I got great blocking from my teammates,” said Scott, who added two solo tackles among his three stops. “My main focus on punt return is being able to get my eyes down to scan the field and see where the hole is. After receiving some great blocks from my teammates, I visualize being able to see the hole, hit the hole, stay vertical and get into the end zone.”
Seeking its fourth consecutive victory after three straight SEC wins helped the Tigers become bowl eligible, Auburn (6-4, 3-4) hosts New Mexico State Saturday at 3 p.m. CT at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
