Ian Vachon – Syndication Server

Instant analysis: Jalen Milroe, Alabama ends Auburn’s bowl hopes in Tuscaloosa

Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe gained 360 of Alabama’s 457 yards in the Tide’s win over Auburn on Saturday, eliminating them from bowl eligibility.

Auburn football’s quest for bowl eligibility was officially halted on Saturday.

The Auburn defense could not slow down Alabama‘s offense as the Crimson Tide created separation in the second half by out-gaining Auburn, 457-399 on its way to a 28-14 win over the Tigers on Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Alabama led by just eight points heading to halftime but quickly established dominance in the 3rd quarter by scoring two quick touchdowns to jump out to a 28-6 lead. Auburn cut into the lead on a touchdown pass from Auburn quarterback [autotag]Payton Thorne [/autotag]to wide receiver [autotag]Cam Coleman[/autotag]. However, the Tigers’ comeback effort fell short in the 4th quarter as Auburn’s final two drives of the game ended with Thorne interceptions.

Another major factor in the game was the play of Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe. Milroe ended the game by completing 75% (18-of-24) of his passes for 256 yards and rushed for an additional 104 yards and three scores.

Alabama held a tight 14-6 advantage heading into the locker room at halftime after outgaining Auburn in yards, 222-204. The Tigers struggled on third down during the first half, converting just 2 of 9 opportunities. Auburn also turned their three red zone opportunities into points. Kicker [autotag]Ian Vachon[/autotag] connected on kicks of 37 and 25 yards in the half while missing a kick from 39 yards early in the 1st quarter.

Jalen Milroe was the star of the show for Alabama in the first half. The Alabama quarterback scored twice on two runs in the half, including a 19-yard run to put Alabama on the scoreboard, 7-0, with 3:18 in the 1st quarter. Milroe extended Alabama’s lead to 14-3 with 2:44 in the 2nd quarter on a one-yard rush.

Alabama built upon its halftime lead by scoring two quick touchdowns within the first eight minutes of the 3rd quarter. Alabama running back Justice Haynes capped Alabama’s first drive of the 3rd quarter by scoring on a 2-yard rush to extend the Crimson Tide’s lead to 21-6. Milroe added his third score of the night on a 17-yard rush to push the Tide’s lead to 28-6 with 6:54 in the quarter. Auburn capped scoring in the quarter when quarterback Payton Thorne connected with wide receiver Cam Coleman on a 29-yard touchdown pass with 2:31 remaining in the 3rd. A successful two-point conversion cut Alabama’s lead to 28-14 heading into the last quarter of play.

Auburn ends the 2024 season with a 5-7 record and a 2-6 mark in SEC play. The next big chapter in Auburn football begins next week as the early signing period begins. Auburn’s newest roster pieces will sign beginning Wednesday, Dec. 4.

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Payton Thorne, KeAndre Lambert-Smith break down Auburn’s game-winning play

The pair solidified Auburn’s upset of No. 14 Texas A&M by connecting on a two-point play in the 4th overtime.

Saturday night’s game between Auburn and No. 14 Texas A&M ended in typical “night game in Jordan-Hare Stadium” fashion.

Auburn led by 21 points early in the game before Texas A&M stormed back to take a 31-28 lead over the Tigers in the late stages of the 4th quarter. Auburn kicker later [autotag]Ian Vachon[/autotag] nailed a 29-yard field goal with 0:05 remaining in the game to force overtime with a 31-31 tie.

Chaos continued into the overtime as each team traded touchdowns and field goals in the first two periods before missing out on a chance to win in the third period.

Auburn finally emerged victorious when quarterback [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag] connected with wide receiver [autotag]KeAndre Lambert-Smith[/autotag] [autotag]in the 4th overtime period to push Auburn ahead, 43-41[/autotag]. Texas A&M failed to convert on their opportunity, thus solidifying the win.

Following the game, the duo behind one of the most memorable plays in Auburn history broke down the steps leading up to the play. Lambert-Smith says that the play has been practiced several times before and felt confident that the call would work.

“We have run that play since I’ve been here, since the summer. We hit it every day in practice against the defense. I was lowkey pitching for them to call it,” Lambert-Smith said postgame. “We tried it on one of the previous overtimes, I think it was the one where Payton scrambled and threw it out of bounds, and then we came back to it, and I’m like, ‘P, just throw it, it’s just like practice, just throw it and I’m ready to catch.’ He threw it, and I had to win, and I won. We won.”

Thorne broke down the play postgame by saying that his throw was less than perfect, but had confidence that Lambert-Smith could make the play.

“First off, it was a heck of a catch (by Lambert-Smith). The ball was a little behind him, and I had to throw it a little earlier than usual,” Thorne said. “We dressed up the boundary side more than we usually do on that play, and I was a tad late getting back but not too late. I put it up there and Dre had a few contested catches tonight, so obviously a great play by him.”

The game ended with Auburn fans rushing the field to celebrate with the team as their postseason hopes remain alive. Lambert-Smith, who is in his first, and last, season as an Auburn Tiger, says that the night was one he will never forget.

“I don’t know, it felt different. I put on my story, ‘last one in Jordan-Hare, let’s make it memorable,” and that is definitely something I will never forget,” Lambert-Smith said. “I was in the crowd, I was surfing, it felt like a movie. I felt like it was a great way to send the seniors out, the guys who have been here four or five years. I’m happy that I could be the one to do it, I don’t take it lightly.”

Thorne ended the game with 301 passing yards and two touchdowns while Lambert-Smith reeled in two passes for 104 yards. The duo, as well as the rest of the Auburn Tigers, will look to pull off another upset next Saturday on the road in Tuscaloosa against No. 15 Alabama. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Instant analysis: Auburn takes down No. 14 Texas A&M in 4 OT thriller

Auburn’s postseason dreams remain alive after a thrilling victory over the No. 14 Aggies on Saturday night.

What started as a magical night on the Plains nearly ended in disaster.

The home-standing Auburn Tigers jumped out to an early 21-0 in its game with No. 14 Texas A&M on Saturday. However, Texas A&M outscored Auburn, 24-10 over the final 30 minutes to force overtime. The Tigers continued to play with purpose through the overtime period, which led to a 43-41 win on Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama.

Both teams traded touchdowns and field goals in the first two overtime periods before missing their respective “two-point attempts” in the third stanza. The ultimate decider was a pass from Auburn quarterback [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag] to receiver [autotag]KeAndre Lambert-Smith[/autotag] in the fourth overtime period. The pass, along with a failed reverse pass from Texas A&M, led the Tigers to victory.

Texas A&M trailed 21-7 at halftime, but scored two touchdowns in 7:09 of game time to tie the game at 21-21. Auburn regained control of the game briefly thanks to a one-yard touchdown run by [autotag]Jarquez Hunter[/autotag] with 2:27 remaining in the 3rd quarter. Momentum was shortlived as the Aggies scored 10 unanswered points to take a 31-28 lead with less than five minutes remaining in regulation. Auburn kicker [autotag]Ian Vachon[/autotag] sent the game to overtime by connecting on a 29-yard field goal with 0:05 remaining in the 4th quarter.

Auburn held a slight advantage in overall yards, 469-463, and scored in four of its five red zone trips on Saturday. The Tigers achieved those goals despite having the football 13 minutes less than Texas A&M, and running 15 fewer offensive plays. Thorne completed 19 passes to seven different receivers for 301 yards and two touchdowns. Lambert-Smith and [autotag]Cam Coleman[/autotag] each had over 100 yards in receptions while [autotag]Jarquez Hunter[/autotag] rushed for 130 yards and three scores on 28 attempts.

Auburn quickly gained control of the game by scoring on its first three drives. Jarquez Hunter capped the opening drive by scoring on a two-yard rush at the 11:22 mark in the 1st quarter to push Auburn ahead, 7-0.

The next two touchdowns were by-products of a great connection formed between quarterback Payton Thorne and wide receiver Cam Coleman. One week after connecting on eight passes for 100 yards and three touchdowns in Auburn’s win over ULM, the duo paired up again for four passes for 112 yards and two touchdowns. The scores of 63 and 15 yards, respectively, put Auburn ahead 21-0 early in the 2nd quarter.

Texas A&M added one score at the 4:13 mark in the 2nd quarter on a one-yard rush by Terry Bussey to cut Auburn’s lead to 21-7 at halftime.

It did not take long for the Aggies to bounce back, as it took 7:09 of game time to tie the game. Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed and wide receiver Noah Thomas connected twice in the early stages of the second half on passes of 14 and 73 yards to tie the game at 21-21 with 7:51 remaining in the quarter.

Auburn’s regular season concludes next Saturday when it travels to Tuscaloosa to face the No. 15 Alabama for the 89th Iron Bowl. Kickoff from Bryant-Denny Stadium is set for 2:30 p.m. CT and will be broadcasted live on ABC.

Auburn vs. Texas A&M injury report: Final update, news for Saturday

Here is the final update on Auburn’s injury report ahead of its week 13 game vs. Texas A&M.

Kickoff between the Auburn Tigers and the No. 14 Texas A&M Aggies is less than two hours away, and the final SEC Student-Athlete Availability Report has been released for the game.

Auburn’s report features six players, four of whom are nursing season-ending injuries. Tight end [autotag]Rivaldo Fairweather[/autotag] has been added to the report with a “game-time decision” tag.

One player, kicker [autotag]Alex McPherson[/autotag], has been ruled out due to an ongoing gastrointestinal illness. Head coach [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] will look to walk-on kicker [autotag]Ian Vachon[/autotag] to handle kicking duties on Saturday following his debut performance in Auburn’s win over ULM. In that game, he connected on all six of his extra-point opportunities and went 2-for-2 on field goal chances, connecting on a long of 26 yards.

Freeze complimented Vachon’s performance during Monday’s preview press conference by saying that it would be tough to remove his duties.

“It’d be hard to take it from him at this point. Again, I think Towns (McGough) is going to be outstanding. He’s just a young freshman. All of our freshmen are making mistakes that are playing. Kickers probably get more magnified than a DB or defensive lineman. I want to be sure everybody hears me loud and clear, I think his future is extremely bright. You don’t get that type of leg strength often. Currently, Ian (Vachon) is batting 1,000. Those have been critical plays in some of our losses that had we made those the whole dynamic of that game at that point kind of changes, so we’re not going to take the ball out of his hands right now. I’m proud of him. It’s a great story. He came through when he got his number called Saturday, so he’ll get another chance.”

Here is a look at the final SEC Student-Athlete Availability Report ahead of Auburn’s game vs. Texas A&M, which kicks off at 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN.

Auburn injury report

OLB Jamonta Waller (Out)
DB Tyler Scott (Out)
DB Champ Anthony (Out)
K Alex McPherson (Out)
TE Brandon Frazier (Out)
TE Rivaldo Fairweather (Game time decision)

Texas A&M injury report

RB Reuben Owens (Out)
WR Cyrus Allen (Out)
DB Tyreek Chappell (Out)
RB Le’Veon Moss (Out)
OL Mark Nabou Jr. (Out)
QB Jaylen Henderson (Out)
OL Chase Bisontis (Game time decision)

Caleb Wooden injury update

Wooden was listed as questionable for Saturday’s game on Wednesday’s initial SEC Student-Athlete Availability Report due to an undisclosed injury that kept him sidelined for last week’s game vs. ULM. He has been cleared to play according to the final report released Saturday, and will provide key depth to the Auburn defensive backfield.

Caleb Burton injury update

Burton has not appeared in a game since Auburn’s loss to Arkansas on Sept. 21. It was reported that Burton had missed several weeks of action due to concussion protocol. However, he is no longer listed on Auburn’s availability report, and will be available to play against Texas A&M.

Instant analysis: Cam Coleman, Auburn dominates ULM to return to win column

The freshman receiver logs 100 yards and three touchdowns in Auburn’s record-setting win over ULM.

Auburn football fans have waited all season for a breakout game from freshman wide receiver [autotag]Cam Coleman[/autotag]. On Saturday, it finally occurred.

Coleman broke several season highs on Saturday by logging eight catches for 100 yards and three touchdowns in Auburn’s 48-14 win over ULM on Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama.

Ahead of Saturday’s game, Coleman’s best game was a three-catch, 82-yard game vs. Oklahoma in September. He reeled in four catches in Auburn’s win over Kentucky on Oct. 26 and had recorded just two touchdown receptions. He blew past those numbers on Saturday to headline a record-breaking day for several Tigers.

In addition to Coleman’s epic day, Auburn running back [autotag]Jarquez Hunter[/autotag] reached the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the first time in his career after rushing for 102 yards on 14 carries. Quarterback [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag] also tossed five touchdown passes, which ties a single-game program record.

Auburn dominated ULM in several categories in the first half, including yards, first downs, red zone opportunities, and tackles for loss. The Tigers out-gained ULM 292-70 through the first 30 minutes, which included a 188-yard passing effort from Thorne. Thorne completed 16-of-24 passes with just under 50% of his completions to Coleman, who logged seven catches for 78 yards and two scores.

Auburn ended the day with 507 total yards, including 304 yards through the air. On the otherside, Auburn’s defense allowed ULM to gain just 218 yards and held them to 2-of-12 on third down opportunities.

The Tigers took control of the scoreboard early in the 1st quarter when Thorne connected with Coleman for a 20-yard touchdown reception with 10:57 remaining. Following a field goal from Birmingham Southern transfer [autotag]Ian Vachon[/autotag] with 5:21 in the 1st quarter to extend Auburn’s lead to 10-0, the pair teamed up again for a three-yard touchdown pass at the 7:44 mark in the 2nd quarter to put Auburn ahead, 17-0.

The final score of the first half occurred with 0:06 to go in the 2nd quarter when Thorne found [autotag]KeAndre Lambert-Smith[/autotag] for a 30-yard touchdown reception to push Auburn to a 24-0 halftime lead.

ULM started the 3rd quarter by finding the scoreboard on a one-yard rush by running back Ahmad Hardy at the 8:09 mark. However, their momentum was quickly taken away as the Tigers scored twice to close out the quarter. Thorne connected with Coleman for the third time with 4:37 to go in the 3rd quarter and later found fellow freshman receiver [autotag]Malcolm Simmons[/autotag] for a 40-yard score to give Auburn a 38-7 entering the 4th quarter.

Auburn added two more scores to cap their scoring. Damari Alston rushed for a score from seven-yards out to give Auburn the 45-7 lead with 11:48 to go in the quarter. Vachon connected on his second field goal of the day to give Auburn the 48-7 lead with 1:48 to go in the game. ULM capped scoring with less than 10 seconds remaining when Warhawks QB General Booty found Jonathan Bibbs for a 65-yard touchdown pass to cut into Auburn’s lead, 48-14.

Auburn will host No. 14 Texas A&M next Saturday to close out its home schedule for the 2024 season. The official game time and network will be announced following the conclusion of Saturday’s college football action.