Hugh Freeze characterized Auburn’s defensive play as “sloppy” during a sideline interview with ESPN’s Taylor Davis as the game approached the fourth quarter on Saturday. Despite allowing New Mexico (0-3, 0-0 Mountain West) to accumulate 448 offensive yards, Auburn (2-1, 0-0 SEC) secured their second victory of the season with a decisive 45-19 win over the Lobos.
Auburn’s offense outperformed New Mexico’s pass-heavy strategy, totaling 503 offensive yards. Hank Brown, making his first start at quarterback, completed 17 of 25 passes for 235 yards, distributing the ball to ten different receivers and throwing four touchdowns. Running back Jarquez Hunter also had a standout performance, rushing for 152 yards on 20 carries, marking his first 100-yard game of the season.
Although Auburn led by only three points at halftime, their efforts to pull away began immediately after the break. Brown orchestrated a 10-play, 75-yard drive on Auburn’s first possession of the second half, culminating in a three-yard touchdown pass to Micah Riley, pushing the Tigers ahead 24-13. On the following drive for New Mexico, Antonio Kite intercepted a pass from Lobos quarterback Devon Dampeer. This turnover set up a rapid three-play drive for Auburn, where Brown connected with Hunter for a 14-yard touchdown, extending the Tigers’ lead to 31-13.
New Mexico managed to reduce Auburn’s lead early in the fourth quarter when Dampier threw a touchdown pass to receiver Caleb Medford. However, a failed two-point conversion attempt kept the score at 31-19 with 13 minutes left in the game. Auburn quickly responded as Brown threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Rivaldo Fairweather, increasing their lead to 38-19. The game was sealed with 5:51 remaining when Damari Alston scored on a 22-yard rush, finalizing the score at 45-19.
At halftime, Auburn held a narrow 17-13 lead despite being outgained by New Mexico, who accumulated 293 yards compared to Auburn’s 236. Auburn’s running game was superior, with 121 rushing yards, while New Mexico’s Dampier threw for 203 yards on 13 of 25 passing attempts. Though Auburn’s defense managed to keep Dampier from scoring a touchdown in the first half, he accumulated 212 all-purpose yards before halftime.
The game’s opening points came from New Mexico’s Luke Drzewiecki, who kicked a 33-yard field goal to put his team ahead 3-0. Auburn responded by scoring twice in the first quarter: Brown connected with Camden Brown for a 10-yard touchdown pass, and Hunter added a two-yard touchdown run, giving Auburn a 14-10 lead.
In the second quarter, both teams exchanged field goals, with Towns McGough hitting a 24-yard field goal for Auburn and Drzewiecki adding another 21-yard field goal for New Mexico.
Next week, Auburn will begin SEC play as they host Arkansas at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Arkansas, who won their game against UAB 37-27 on Saturday, will arrive with a 2-1 record for the matchup.
