South Bound & Down
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SEC Football: Game Balls, Top Performers from Week Nine

By Justin Melton

Oct 29, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Auburn Tigers running back Kamryn Pettway (36) runs the ball during the second half of the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Auburn won 40-29. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Auburn Tigers running back Kamryn Pettway (36) runs the ball during the second half of the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Auburn won 40-29. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 29, 2016; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks defensive back Jamarcus King (7) celebrates after making a game-sealing interception against the Tennessee Volunteers in the fourth quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2016; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks defensive back Jamarcus King (7) celebrates after making a game-sealing interception against the Tennessee Volunteers in the fourth quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports /

Defense: Jamarcus King, DB, South Carolina

Jamarcus King was a force in the Gamecock defense against Tennessee. His two interceptions were vital in helping South Carolina secure the upset. He also added five tackles and broke up two more passes.

South Carolina’s upset of the Volunteers was by far the biggest story in the SEC Football world last weekend. While Jake Bentley and the offense performed admirably, most of the credit should go to the stout Gamecock defense. They held a potent Tennessee offense to just 21 points and got the win for Will Muschamp. King was the single most important player on that defense on Saturday.

Honorable Mentions:

Sep 3, 2016; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers defensive back Tray Matthews (28) reacts after making a tackle during the second quarter against the Clemson Tigers at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers defensive back Tray Matthews (28) reacts after making a tackle during the second quarter against the Clemson Tigers at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports /

Tray Matthews, DB, Auburn

The Auburn defense got lit up by Chad Kelly on Saturday. That means that there were lots of wide receivers running loose all over the field. The man who was responsible for tracking them down was safety Tray Matthews.

Matthews led the team in tackles with 11, six of which were solo. Since transferring from Georgia, he has been a standout in the Auburn defensive backfield. He could go pro after this season, but may be better served by returning for his senior year.

Blake McClain, DB, Kentucky

Another individual who was responsible for cleaning up wide receivers running amok was Kentucky’s Blake McClain. McClain made eight tackles against Missouri, all of which were solo. McClain is small, at just 5’11” 200 pounds, but the senior is a sure tackler.

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