Aggies LB Taurean York Named SEC Freshman Of The Week In Win Over Auburn
COLLEGE STATION -- Taurean York continues to be a factor for Texas A&M's defense in 2023. On Saturday, he was the alpha and commander for D.J. Durkin's squad in a 27-10 victory over Auburn.
York was named the SEC Freshman of the Week following the Aggies' SEC-opening win over the Tigers, the league announced Monday morning. York finished with a career-best 11 tackles, two of which were for losses.
"A career day? He's only played in four games," laugh A&M coach Jimbo Fisher.
A native of Temple, Texas, York registered his first career sack in the second quarter when he helped take down the Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne for a loss of 3 yards. He also was a focal point in keeping both Thorne and fellow dual-threat option Robby Ashford in check as runners, holding the duo to negative nine yards on 19 carries.
Already considered a leader on the Aggies' defense, York quarterbacked a unit that held Auburn's to 200 total yards offensive yards. The Aggies the Tigers to just 3-of-15 (20.0 percent) on third down and forced a punt or turnover on downs on 91 percent of all drives, including five three-and-outs.
A&M finished with a season-high 7.0 sacks, the most sacks in a game since 2017, to go along with 15 tackles for loss. York, Chris Russell and Edgerrin Cooper all finished with at least one sack and 1.5 tackles for loss.
"It feels good. Feeding off each other's energy, lets us keeps going," Cooper said postgame. Just play 110 percent. It's as simple as that. That's all we have our mindset on and just go from there."
Through four games, York leads all Power 5 true freshman linebackers with 22 tackles on the season and ranks fifth among all true freshman defensive players.
The Aggies head to AT&T Stadium in Arlington this Saturday to face Arkansas in the annual Southwest Classic. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m.
