AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn had been keeping track of its games this season by putting the results on a whiteboard in the team room. Last week, before the Mississippi State game, head coach Hugh Freeze wiped the board clean. It was the start of a new season.
Next Game:
at Vanderbilt
Nov. 4, 2023
3 p.m. CT
TV: SEC Network
Radio: Auburn Sports Network
This week, the only result on the whiteboard is from last Saturday – a 27-13 victory.
"We're 1-0," Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne said. "People say, 'Try to go 1-0 every week.' Sometimes that's annoying to hear, but it is true. You just try to focus on one week at a time and one day at a time. That's what we're going to try to do."
It was a breakthrough performance from Thorne and the offense in Saturday's win. Offensive lineman Gunner Britton had talked about how close they were following the Ole Miss game. It finally came together against Mississippi State as the Tigers threw for 230 yards, rushed for 186 yards and scored three first-half touchdowns.
"I think it's a confidence booster first and foremost for us to be able to play together well as an offense, running the ball and passing the ball," Britton said. "Obviously, it's a great day when we can go in and do both. It just goes back to our offense and our game plan and our preparation. I felt like we did a really good job of breaking through and showing how good we could be."
"It was just getting up there and having fun," added Thorne. "Sometimes you lose perspective throughout the year or with a losing streak, and you forget that this is a fun game we play and that we're blessed to play it."
Auburn has four regular-season games remaining. If the Tigers are now 1-0 in their "new season," they can make it 2-0 this Saturday at Vanderbilt.
However, it's going to take another strong effort on both sides of the football. Auburn hasn't won at Vanderbilt since 2003, having lost the last two contests played in Nashville.
"It's a difficult place to play, and it's got my full attention," Freeze said. "Hopefully, our kids will be mature enough to approach this with the same hunger that they did last week."
Auburn and Vanderbilt will kick off at 3 p.m. CT from FirstBank Stadium in Nashville. The game will be televised on SEC Network with Taylor Zarzour, Aaron Murray and Taylor Davis on the call. You can also listen to Andy Burcham, Jason Campbell, Ronnie Brown and Will Herring who will have the radio call on 94.3 FM, online at AuburnTigers.com and on the Auburn app.
Three questions with Jack Elijah McAllister
Q: How do you approach this week as you prepare to face your former team?
A: I approach this week the same as any other week. At the end of the day, it's about Auburn football and how we can play our best. Nonetheless, I do know I'm playing against some of my best friends who I've shared many experiences with. I want to continue to play as hard as I can for this university but also have bragging rights against some of my buddies.
Q: What did the win this past week mean for this team?
A: It meant a lot. We knew we needed to get back on track in the win column. We knew exactly what we needed to do to get there. Just continue to start this "new season" for us. We sat before the Mississippi State game at 3-4. We're now 4-4, back at .500. Just continuing to ascend in the ranks and set the foundation for Year 1.
Q: There was a lot of talk about the offense Saturday, but the defense played well too. Is that something you can continue to build on going forward?
A: I feel like we're continuing to improve as a defense overall. I think the scoreboard told a different story than what we want to play as a defense and our standard. We played well enough for us to win, but there were still some things we feel like we left out there on the table. Too many explosive plays. We let a guy in the end zone when we feel like we could have stopped them. But we were excited the offense was able to showcase what they did. Complimentary football. They help us. We help them.
Inside the Series: Vanderbilt
The all-time series between Auburn and Vanderbilt is tied at 21-21-1. The two teams first met in 1893, a 30-10 Auburn victory in Montgomery, Alabama. Auburn has never lost at home (9-0) while Vanderbilt leads 12-7 in all games played in Nashville. Other games in the series have been played in Montgomery, Birmingham and Jacksonville.
The teams' most recent matchup came in 2016 with Auburn posting a 23-16 win at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Before that, Vanderbilt had won the previous two meetings – both played in Nashville (2008 and 2012). Prior to 2008, Auburn had won 13 straight contests and averaged 36.4 points per game during that string.
Auburn is 83-52-7 all-time against teams from the state of Tennessee. Vanderbilt is one of 10 teams the Tigers have played from the Volunteer State.
By the Numbers
90.2: Payton Thorne enjoyed his best outing of the season Saturday, going 20 of 26 for 230 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. With a PFF grade of 90.2, Thorne was the third highest-graded quarterback of the week behind Drake Maye and Caleb Willimas.
6: With 144 yards on 17 carries against Mississippi State, Jarquez Hunter went over 100 yards rushing for the sixth time in his career and the first time this season. He moved up to No. 25 all-time among Auburn career rushers with 1,716 yards.
11: Thorne spread the love Saturday, completing passes to 11 different receivers. It was the first time since 2019 (Samford) that 11 different Auburn receivers have caught a pass.
10: Auburn and Vanderbilt are tied for the SEC lead with 10 interceptions this season. The Tigers, who have had at least one interception in all but one game, lead the conference in total turnovers forced with 14 through the first eight games.