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Shyheim Carter has (fairly) quietly been having a productive season. He doesn’t get the attention other members of the defense do; but he’s has been an integral part of the secondary, having played both Star and safety.
Carter is tied for second on the team in interceptions with 2, and both have gone for touchdowns. Those two defensive touchdowns lead the team, and his 89 interception return yards also lead the team.
Against Auburn, Carter had one of his best games of the year. While he didn’t force any turnovers, he had a career-high 6 tackles, 0.5 TFL, and 3 pass break-ups. Carter also now leads the team in passes defended with 9.
2nd and 10: Auburn QB Jarrett Stidham motions the running back wide left, giving the Tigers trips on that side with two receivers in tight. The first receiver runs a block slant straight into Dylan Moses. The second runs a quick 5 yard hitch. Carter sees Stidham go to throw and quickly changes direction. The receiver catches it and goes to secure the ball, but Carter is already on top of him and knocks the ball loose.
3rd and 10: It’s the following play. Carter is about three yards off the line covering the slot receiver on the left. He starts shuffling backwards, watching his man. Carter see the out route just past the first down marker and undercuts its. He makes a diving pass deflection to break up the pass and force 4th down.
1st and 10: Carter is at the bottom of the screen a couple yards off the line where Auburn has two receivers. The Tigers motion the H-back wide left, giving them a brief numbers advantage. Stidham quickly throws it Ryan Davis; and by the time he catches the pass and turns upfield, Carter has already blown up the block. He hits Davis in the backfield and knocks him down for a loss (technically he’s only credited with half the tackle, but I think Davis was going down without help from McKinney).
3rd and 8: Auburn has two receivers stacked at the bottom of the screen. Saivion Smith (#4) is playing press while Carter is about 4-5 yards off the line. The second receiver, Anthony Schwartz, motions into the slot, and Carter follows. Schwartz has a step on Carter, and Stidham rifles it to him. While a mediocre throw certainly helps, Carter’s speed also lets him close and wrap up Schwartz. Carter makes the stop short of the line to gain and forces the punt.