Auburn came to Nashville trying to get some momentum going after a big win over Mississippi State. Consider that accomplished as Hugh Freeze continues to build the program.

Auburn inched closer to bowl eligibility as Vanderbilt is now the only SEC team without a league victory after Arkansas’ win earlier Saturday. The Commodores saw their losing streak stretch to 8 games as Auburn prevailed 31-15. The Tigers improved to 5-4, while the Commodores fell to 2-8.

The big question for this game for Auburn was could the offense continue to rip after last week’s onslaught. The Tigers finally showed growth last week in a 24-point first-half surge against Mississippi State.

Vanderbilt made a late push after it seemed Auburn had a comfortable lead in the 2nd half — 31-7. The Commodores got a 4-play, 44-yard drive with a 30-yard touchdown pass from Ken Seals to Junior Sherrill, and then they converted a 2-point conversion.

Here are our 3 takeaways:

Auburn’s fast start

Ken Seals and Vanderbilt got off to a great start as the Commodores went 40 yards on 8 plays, but the Auburn defense stiffened near the goal line and held Vandy to a field goal. Then on Auburn’s second offensive snap — 2nd and 2 from the Auburn 33-yard line — Jarquez Hunter ran free for a 67-yard touchdown rush to open the scoring. He also scored on a 56-yard run in the 1st half.

Hunter’s 121 yards rushing in the first quarter against Vanderbilt were the most by an Auburn running back since Tre Mason had 141 yards on 6 carries in the first quarter against Alabama A&M in 2012.

Vanderbilt pick-6

Bryce Cowan and Vanderbilt tried their best to make things interesting as they took advantage of an errant throw from Payton Thorne. Thorne looked for Rivaldo Fairweather, but it was Cowan who stepped in and intercepted the pass and returned it for a 5-yard touchdown to cut the Commodores’ deficit in half.

It’s been a breakout game of sorts for Cowan. After he recorded a statistic in just 2 games this season for the Commodores, this was the first interception of his career. The sophomore linebacker also made a huge TFL on 2nd and long shortly after the pick-6.

Auburn’s defense bends, but doesn’t break

It looked dicey at times for the Auburn defense, but the Tigers erased any white-knuckle trend with Vandy’s late offensive push. DJ James contributed plenty for the Tigers with 7 tackles, including 1 for a loss and 2 pass breakups. The Vandy drive late in the 4th quarter took up 9:04, but ended with an incompletion in the end zone.

Vanderbilt was 2-for-13 on 3rd down conversions, and managed just 72 rushing yards.