2024-10-27 22:25:03
Auburn football snapped a four-game losing streak Saturday night in dominant fashion.
The Tigers swarmed the Kentucky Wildcats in nearly every aspect of the game on their way to a 24-10 win, a much-needed victory after a winless start to SEC play.
Auburn returns home next Saturday against Vanderbilt.
Here’s how the Tigers graded out against the Wildcats:
Auburn football offense: A
After the first quarter, this grade was set to be much lower. However, the Tigers turned things up across the second, third, and fourth. Payton Thorne went just 5-for-10 for 41 yards and an interception in the first, but closed the game by going 15-for-16 for 131 yards and a touchdown.
The best performance, though, has to go to running back Jarquez Hunter. Hunter rushed for 278 yards, a career high and the fourth-most rushing yards in a single game in program history.
Auburn football defense: A+
The Tigers faced a unique challenge this week. Kentucky was set to use a two-quarterback strategy, with Brock Vandagriff on the field for passing plays and Gavin Wimsatt taking snaps for designed quarterback runs.
Despite the circumstances, the defense performed admirably. Auburn chased Vandagriff from the game altogether, forced a turnover from both quarterbacks and held the Wildcats scoreless after the first quarter.
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Auburn football special teams: B
Special teams were the only blemish for the Tigers. While Alex McPherson’s return from a gastrointestinal illness provided a feel-good story, there were still missed opportunities for the Tigers.
On the final play of the first half, Auburn needed a hurried field goal as the clock ticked down with no timeouts. But the Tigers were visibly confused and couldn’t get the snap off before halftime. Later in the third, McPherson missed a 47-yard field goal.
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However, with McPherson recovering from his illness and still unable to kick off, he can get a little slack as he’s shaking off the rust.
Auburn football coaching: A
Credit Hugh Freeze for seeing it through to the end. He could’ve taken the easy way out and changed things up when the Tigers were struggling early, but the offense picked things up in dominant fashion throughout as the defense made play after play down the stretch.
Auburn football final grade: A
Quite simply, this was the best all-around performance for Auburn against an FBS team so far this season.
