Ask Auburn tight end Rivaldo Fairweather about last year’s visit to Cal and the Tigers’ struggling offense won’t be the first thing that comes to mind.

Instead, Fairweather distinctively remembers a pair of vital catches in the fourth quarter.

Trailing by three points in the fourth quarter, the Auburn offense found itself staring down a 3rd-and-17 and was in desperate need of a conversion.

Fortunately, Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne was able to connect with Fairweather for a 27-yard pickup and — more importantly — a fresh set of downs.

“That was a clutch play for us,” Fairweather recalled while talking to reporters on Tuesday.

The Tigers went on to drive down inside the Cal 5-yard line, where Fairweather’s number was called again — this time for the game-winning touchdown in the back corner of the end zone.

“What (do) I remember? I remember scoring the game-winning touchdown,” Fairweather laughed when asked about last year’s 14-10 win at Cal.

At the time, Fairweather’s performance appeared to be nothing more than a game-ball-worthy showing that helped Auburn avoid a loss out west in the hills of California.

However, as the year continued to unfold, it became clear the performance was more than just a one-off for the transfer tight end out of FIU.

Asked if he felt that game served as a bit of a launch pad for his first season of college football at the Power 5 level, Fairweather responded in the affirmative.

“Because that game, I think I got my first catch and touchdown that game,” Fairweather said.

The week prior in Auburn’s season-opener against UMass, Fairweather didn’t record a reception.

He caught three passes for 39 yards and a touchdown at Cal.

“Yeah, that game really started everything off and hopefully it’s going to start everything off again this year,” Fairweather said of Saturday’s rematch with Cal.

After being the leading receiver in Auburn’s offense last fall, Fairweather didn’t see much action in Saturday’s 73-3 win over Alabama A&M.

Fairweather was targeted twice against Alabama A&M, making one catch and dropping another.

“That’ll probably be the last drop you’ll ever see from me the whole season,” Fairweather said. “First game, just gotta get that drop out the way and get ready for what’s ahead.”

Considering the Tigers’ massive overhaul in the wide receiver room, Fairweather knew it was unlikely that he’d be No. 1 target for the second year in a row.

But with new threats out wide at receiver, Fairweather knows his job is about to get easier.

“I wasn’t really lined up outside like that, so I wasn’t really matched up with corners. I was really lined up with safeties and linebackers, stuff like that,” Fairweather said, referring to Saturday’s game vs. Alabama A&M. “So for me, it’s going to be easier for me because I’m not going to be lined up against the best cover guy, they’ve gotta cover our receivers now.”

Fairweather was glad to see the new faces in Auburn’s receiver room have success against the Bulldogs on Saturday.

“I’m not really a selfish player,” Fairweather said. “I know it’s going to come. It’s God’s timing and it’s all going to make sense in the end.”

And if history repeats itself, that timing could come against a familiar program in the Cal Golden Bears.

“Like I said, later on in the season or whenever the next opportunity comes our way, I’m going to strike,” Fairweather said.