Hugh Freeze described Auburn’s defensive play as “sloppy” during an in-game interview with ESPN sideline reporter Taylor Davis ahead of Saturday’s fourth-quarter action.
Despite allowing New Mexico (0-3, 0-0 Mountain West) to gain 448 yards on offense, Auburn (2-1, 0-0 SEC) managed to earn its second win of the season by taking down New Mexico by multiple scores, 45-19.
Auburn’s offensive performance outweighed New Mexico’s pass-happy offense, as the Tigers gained 503 yards of offense in a split manner. First-time starting quarterback Hank Brown connected on 17-of-25 passes for 235 yards to 10 different receivers with four touchdown passes. Auburn running back Jarquez Hunter also posted one of his best college performances on Saturday by rushing for 152 yards on 20 carries, his first 100-yard performance of the season.
Leading by just three points at halftime, Auburn’s pull-away efforts began during the first possession of the second half. Brown led a 10-play 75-yard drive that resulted in a three-yard touchdown pass to Micah Riley to push Auburn ahead, 24-13. On New Mexico’s ensuing possession, Antonio Kite picked off Lobos quarterback Devon Dampeer, which led to a quick three-play drive for the Tigers. Brown connected with Hunter from 14 yards out to extend the Tigers’ lead to 31-13.
New Mexico cut into Auburn’s lead early in the 4th quarter when New Mexico quarterback Devon Dampier connected with receiver Caleb Medford. Following a failed two-point try, Auburn’s lead was trimmed to 31-19 with 13 minutes remaining in the contest. The Lobos comeback effort was short lived as Brown found Rivaldo Fairweather for a 26 yard touchdown to push Auburn ahead, 38-19. Auburn delivered the dagger with 5:51 remaining in the game when Damari Alston scored on a 22-yard rush to push Auburn’s lead to 45-19.
Auburn football held on to a 17-13 advantage at halftime despite being out-gained by New Mexico 293-236. Auburn held the edge in rushing with 121 yards, while Lobos’ quarterback Devon Dampier completed 13-of-25 passes for 203 yards. Auburn’s defense kept Dampier from reaching the endzone in the first half but would allow him to gain 212 all-purpose yards in the first half.
Luke Drzewiecki put New Mexico on the board first with a 33-yard field goal on the game’s first possession to push his team ahead, 3-0. The teams traded touchdowns for the remainder of the quarter, with Auburn taking a 14-10 lead into the second stanza. Auburn found the scoreboard twice thanks to a 10-yard pass from Brown to Camden Brown and a two-yard touchdown run by Jarquez Hunter.
After trading touchdowns in the first quarter, the teams would exchange field goals in the second quarter. Towns McGough connected on a 24 yard field goal while Drzewiecki made his second field goal from 21 yards out.
SEC play begins next week for the Tigers. Auburn welcomes Arkansas to Jordan-Hare Stadium next Saturday for an afternoon kickoff time. The Razorbacks defeated UAB on Saturday, 37-27 to move to 2-1 on the season.
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