Auburn didn’t have many shining moments during last week’s 42-10 loss against No. 1 Georgia. The Tigers were quiet offensively other than a flash of brilliance from sophomore running back Jarquez Hunter during the fourth quarter at Sanford Stadium.

Hunter caught a swing pass from Robby Ashford with a little over 10 minutes left in the third quarter and trailing 35-3. He caught the ball at the Tigers’ 40 and broke two tackles around the 50-yard-line before sprinting into the end zone.

Auburn was 5-18 on third down against Georgia. Hunter’s catch was the longest play of the season and a rare third down conversion for the Tigers in an otherwise primarily abysmal offensive output. It was also the Tigers’ first second-half touchdown in two weeks.

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“We were able to get the ball in his hands quick, good throw, and it was on their sideline,” Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin said about the play. “But, Jarquez made a spectacular play to get down the sideline and score.”

Hunter is one of Auburn’s most dynamic offensive players. He’s averaging 4.1 yards per carry for 159 yards through six games and four rushing touchdowns.

Another dynamic for Hunter comes when he lines up as a receiver. He has eight catches for 180 yards and two touchdowns this season. Last year he had 12 catches for 61 yards.

“It’s going to be a big part,” Hunter said about his increasing role during fall camp. “They get us in open spaces, one-on-one with the linebackers, just catching the ball — and we all can catch, pretty much, in the running backs room. So that’s going to be a big part of the offense, running backs catching.”

Hunter gets a homecoming when Auburn (3-3, 1-2 SEC) looks to bounce back from a two-game losing streak on Saturday (11 am) against Ole Miss. The Tigers have struggled to run the ball over the last few games. Harsin is hoping honorary team captain Hunter and Tank Bigsby can get rolling against the Rebels.

“Penetration slows the backs down. And depending on the run scheme — whatever it is, there’s different schemes — but you don’t want to give up penetration. That’s what’s happened to us at times. As far as adjusting, blocking is a fundamental of the game, probably the most important one. That goes back to footwork, to aiming points, to what the defense is trying to do to you, and to how you prepare yourself every week — how we get our guys prepared.”

Nubyjas Wilborn covers Auburn for Alabama Media Group