Matthews earns a bit of redemption in rematch with LSU

AUBURN | Nick Ruffin has never seen Tray Matthews quite like he was in the locker room after Saturday night’s 18-13 win over LSU.

Auburn’s junior safety had struggled a year ago at LSU and wanted a bit of redemption in the rematch.

“It was indescribable,” Ruffin said. “He was jumping around in the locker room hugging everybody, taking pictures of everybody. It was just a good time.”

Matthews, who transferred to Auburn from Georgia, said the LSU game was one of two he had circled before the start of the season.

“It was a very big game, for a lot of reasons,” Matthews said. “I'm very proud of everyone. I'm proud of our d-line, our linebackers and myself. It was completely different than what happened last year. I'm grateful and I thank God.”

Matthews was credited with a team-high nine tackles along with 0.5 tackles-for-loss, and one pass breakup.

“He did play a very good game. He was very productive and really made some really good tackles,” Auburn defensive coordinator Kevin Steele said. “He has two new shoulders, too. That helps.”

Steele is referring to the offseason surgeries Matthews had on both shoulders earlier this year. He played through the injuries last season and it affected his tackling ability, which was evident when he tried to tackle Leonard Fournette high and flipped over the top of him on a touchdown run.

After rushing for 228 yards and three touchdowns a year ago, Fournette was limited to 101 yards and no touchdowns Saturday.

“Coach Steele stressed playing lights out, stopping the run and just pulling the pin,” Matthews said. “He kept saying all week ‘pull the trigger. Don’t hesitate, don’t shuffle feet. Just go. If you miss them, you miss them. You’ll slow them down.’ That’s what we did.”