Auburn football not only picked up another win on Saturday, but they also saw another defensive star emerge.
Auburn recovered four fumbles in its 41-9 win over Mississippi State, and defensive lineman Darrion Smith played a role in three of them.
Cody Sigler recovered a fumble forced by a Smith strip-sack of Mississippi State quarterback AJ Swann in the 1st quarter, which led to an Auburn touchdown three plays later. Smith also stripped Bulldogs quarterback Parker Puckett in the 2nd quarter, but Mississippi State ultimately recovered it.
Good karma ultimately found Smith later in the first half. Smith was on the receiving end of a fumble forced by linebacker Shadarius Toodle, and returned it 34 yards, falling short of the goal line. Auburn quarterback
Byrum Brown snuck into the end zone one play later, extending the Tigers' lead to 17-7.
On a day as special as this one, Smith says he only has one regret.
“I’m mad I didn’t score. Man, I’m mad,” Smith said postgame via AuburnSports. “That might be the play I’m mad about the most out of the whole game.”
Smith was one of several Auburn Tigers who deserved a pat on the back for their performances. Here is who the staff from Auburn Wire and Auburn fans selected as Tigers of the Game from Auburn's 41-9 win over Mississippi State.
Taylor Jones: Byrum Brown
Auburn quarterback Byrum Brown has made plays with his legs all season, but he found more success through the air in Saturday's game against Mississippi State. Brown completed 73% of his passes for 232 yards and three touchdowns in Auburn's win.
Saturday's game was the first time since Week 3 vs. Florida that Brown threw for over 200 yards and three touchdowns in the same game.
Phillip Jordan: Darrion Smith
Smith's final numbers did not rank at the top of the stat sheet, but he played an instrumental role in creating more possessions for Auburn's offense.
Smith forced two fumbles, recovered another, and logged two sacks in the Tigers' win over Mississippi State on Saturday. His four tackles matched his season high, last reached in Auburn's Week 3 loss to Florida, and his two sacks are a career-high.
Jac Myrick: Shadarius Toodle
Toodle proved in Auburn's win over Mississippi State that last week's performance was no fluke. Toodle led the defense in tackles for the second week in a row, logging 10. Two were for a loss; one was for a sack. He also forced a fumble and was credited with one quarterback pressure.
Toodle has recorded 21 tackles and four sacks in his last (only) two games.
Fan vote: Darrion Smith
Auburn fans have spoken, and they voted defensive lineman Darrion Smith as the "Tiger of the Game" in Auburn's 41-9 win over Mississippi State. Smith won 33% of the vote, narrowly beating Byrum Brown, Shadarius Toodle, and Keshaun Singleton for the honor. To have a say in who wins Tiger of the Game next week, head over to Auburn Wire on X after every Auburn football game to cast your vote.
Darrion was on demon time 😈🔥@Darrion_10kk
— Auburn Football (@AuburnFootball) November 15, 2026
4 Tackles
2 Sacks
2 TFLs
2 Forced Fumbles pic.twitter.com/nskRi4UFE7
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This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: Tigers of the Game: Darrion Smith shines in Auburn's win over MSU
