Phew. They finally did it. Auburn earns their first SEC win of the 2024 campaign, travelling to Kentucky and outlasting the Wildcats for a final score of 24-10.
For a team starving for their first win in the month of October, the Tigers were able to ride a rugged second half running attack and a stingy defensive performance to seal the victory on Saturday nigh in Lexington.
Auburn wins the game… So we start with the good this week.
1. Running Game:
The Auburn running game was really the story of this one. After a slow start in the first half, they really took over in the second half on the ground.
After fans had been clamouring to see more of Jarquez Hunter, head coach Hugh Freeze succumbed to these demands and handed him the ball time after time for excellent results.
After the first half Peyton Thorne interception, it was clear Auburn would have to lean on their running game to lead them to victory in this one, and that’s exactly what happened.
Auburn finished the game with 332 yards on the ground. A dominant rushing performance on the road, especially against a Kentucky defense that had come into this contest boasting a solid run defense.
Some flowers need to be given out to the Auburn offensive line. Much-maligned throughout this season, they really took over in this one and established their physicality while opening up holes for Hunter, Cobb and Alston.
It’s that attitude that fans were so hoping to see. Really good to see it come to fruition in this one.
2. Coleman targets:
Along with an improved running game fans were also hoping to see a heavier dose of Cam Coleman.
The highly talented five star freshman has had a relatively disappointing season so far based on expectations for the young receiver.
Although his final stat line for this game won’t pop out at you (4 receptions for 24 yards), it was his usage and type of targets that really stood out.
He failed to find the end zone, but it was still a promising game from the young freshman. You could tell the chemistry between him and Payton Thorne has really progressed throughout the season and that Thorne has really started to trust him to win on the outside.
Instead of the deep Coleman targets that had been a staple in the Auburn offence so far this season, today he was used more around the line of scrimmage. Quick hitters, curls and comebacks were where Coleman was featured most today. Cam showed off his talents, tracking the ball and using his large frame to bully defenders.
It was good to see from the young freshman, and I hope he can build on this performance on the road.
3. Auburn closed out the game in the fourth quarter!
I think they’re saying goes you can’t have a good comeback unless you fall down early… or something to that affect. Well that’s what happened in this one. Auburn fell down 10-0 pretty quickly ion Saturday night and it looked like it was going to be another long night for the Tigers.
Then, something changed. After so many weeks of close losses, good offensive performances, and stingy, defensive performances. Auburn finally fought back and came out on top in this one.
They won the turnover battle, ran the ball extremely well, and save for an early Payton Thorne interception, took care of the football brilliantly.
Auburn kept the foot on the gas and never let up in this one. Something they hadn’t done this season in the second half of games.
They leaned on their running game and strength upfront, and Jarquez Hunter looked unstoppable both on the ground and through the air in this one.
Add in a beautiful fourth and goal interception by Kayin Lee late in the fourth quarter on a short pass in the red zone, and it’s safe to say Auburn was clicking on all cylinders against the Wildcats on Saturday night.
The Bad…
1. Special teams penalties:
I feel like this has come up before, but flags on special teams keep rearing their head this season for the Tigers.
On the first Kentucky kickoff of the night, Auburn decided to take the ball out of the end zone and try for some trturn yards. Wrong. Block in the back. Bring it back.
After a first half Kentucky punt, Kieonte Scott had a nice rerun rot set up the Auburn offence around midfield, nice starting field position! Wrong again. Block in the back on Auburn. Bring it back.
These penalties ruin field position, stagnate drives, and really affect potential momentum.
Obviously, the special teams penalties didn’t necessarily affect the outcome of this game, but they’ll have to get it cleaned up and become more disciplined against tougher SEC foes.
2. End of half play calling:
Tied at 10-10 late in the first half and looking to come away with points before halftime, Auburn really mismanaged both the clock and play calling to end the second quarter.
Deep in Kentucky territory, they decided to call a run play with one time out left, forcing them to burn said timeout.
Then, with about 15 seconds left on the clock, Payton Thorne took a sack, forcing them to quickly try and run their field goal unit out onto the field to attempt a last second field goal to salvage some points.
However, they didn’t get the snap off in time. The clock ran out. Half over.
It’s these questionable segments where Auburn looks confused and disoriented that have fans questioning the Auburn coaching staff. They didn’t look prepared at the end of the half and this lack of detail and mismanagement of the clock took valuable points off the board. Could have cost them.
3. The start:
Unfortunately, Auburn didn’t start well in this one. I know the saying, it isn’t how you start, it’s how you finish, but their slow start was concerning.
On their first drive, Kentucky marched down the field very quickly and scored a touchdown on the Auburn defense, which didn’t provide much of a barrier or pushback. Not ideal.
The Auburn offence then took the field and went three and out very quickly after three passing attempts. They punted it away to Kentucky who then kicked a field goal, taking a 10-0 lead early in the first half.
Peyton Thorne then threw an interception early in the first quarter with the score still favouring Kentucky, and it felt like much of the same and we were in for a long Saturday night.
This team can’t afford the slow starts. It’s what has been plaguing them all season long. They haven’t started well, nor have they finished well, leading to many losses so far this season.
It was another lethargic start in this one on the road.
Auburn proved they could do it. They won a football game. They beat an SEC foe on the road.
Jarquez Hunter was exceptional, the 2 young Auburn corners in Kayin Lee and Jay Crawford were superb.
You don’t ever apologize for an SEC road win at night. Especially when you’re able to run the football like Auburn did on Saturday and show an attitude and effort that hadn’t been seen yet this season.
This one feels good. Auburn wins the game decisively 24-10 over Kentucky in Lexington.
Next Saturday, Auburn returns home to Jordan-Hare Stadium as they host the Vanderbilt Commodores, which looks to be a much tougher game than it did earlier in the season. Another date with Diego Pavia, but we aren’t going to talk about that today. Auburn won this one, so it’s all positive.
See you back on the Plains next week, and as always… War Eagle!
