Jermaine Whitehead makes a 'statement' with pick-six

AUBURN –Jermaine Whitehead's goal was to have more interceptions during his senior season.

He got off to the right start on Saturday, with a 33-yard interception return for touchdown in No. 6 Auburn's 45-21 win over Arkansas before a sold out crowd of 87,451 at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday

It was the second career pick-six for Whitehead, who had a team-high seven tackles as well.

"The rewards come with hard work," Whitehead said. "I feel like I've been out there a lot. It's time for me to make as statement this year."

Robenson Therezie drilled Arkansas quarterback Brandon Allen, sending the ball fluttering right to Whitehead, who returned it for a score to give Auburn a 35-21 lead with 2:39 to go in the third quarter.

Whitehead, a senior, made his 27th straight start for the Tigers. He is coming off a junior season in which he had 65 tackles and was more about consistency than "sexy stats" as defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson put it.

A native of Greenwood, Mississippi, Whitehead had two interceptions in 2013, and one in 2011, which he returned 25 yards for a touchdown against Florida Atlantic.

"I like all the picks I had in my career," Whitehead said. "Hopefully I'm going to get a lot more."