Meaningful night for Truitt

AUBURN | Kerryon Johnson went through pre-game warmups with his right ankle heavily taped. When it was determined Auburn’s leading rusher wasn’t going to play against No. 17 Arkansas, Stanton Truitt was ready to step up.

And boy, did he, accounting for 123 yards and three touchdowns on nine touches as the 21st-ranked Tigers emasculated the Razorbacks 56-3.

“I believe everything happens for a reason,” Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said. “He’s got an opportunity, and he seized the moment and now he gives us another weapon in the backfield. He’s a change of pace type of guy.

“The big question coming into this year was the running backs. Do we have enough running backs and are they durable? I think it gives us some more depth.”

Truitt’s career night included eight carries for 78 yards and two touchdowns and a 45-yard touchdown reception on a wide open wheel route.

“It was thrilling, it was an adrenaline rush, and really I was just out there having fun,” Truitt said. “I couldn’t really see the catch that well, but I ended up just grabbing it and taking it. In practice we’re always talking about taking advantage of every play, and we definitely did that tonight.”

Truitt, who moved from wide receiver to running back last month, was part of a ground attack that totaled an SEC regular season record 543 rushing yards.

“He played quarterback in high school, running back. He can do anything,” quarterback Sean White said. “Whatever you ask him to do, he'll do it. I'm just real happy for Truitt. He's one of my favorite players and I was just happy to see him breakout.”

It’s been a long road back for Truitt who missed most of his first two seasons at Auburn with shoulder injuries. The third-year sophomore is finally healthy this season and showing the explosiveness that made him such a sought after prospect coming out of Monroe Area High School in Atlanta, Ga.

“It meant a lot, especially after everything I've been through it definitely meant a lot. My teammates, they're very proud of me, the coaches, so it's a big night,” Truitt said.