Auburn’s dramatic 43-41 victory over Texas A&M in quadruple overtime provided a much-needed morale boost for the Tigers. The win not only kept the team’s bowl hopes alive but also gave Auburn’s seniors a triumphant farewell at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
While the Tigers celebrated the victory, Pro Football Focus (PFF) ratings highlighted both high achievers and areas of concern. Auburn earned a 73.7 overall grade, its lowest in a win this season—a fact the locker room likely won’t dwell on after such an emotional triumph.
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Top Offensive Performers
1. Jarquez Hunter (RB) – 76.4
2. KeAndre Lambert-Smith (WR) – 74.2
3. Cam Coleman (WR) – 71.5
4. Izavion Miller (OL) – 65.4
5. Payton Thorne (QB) – 64.2
Analysis
The trio of Hunter, Lambert-Smith, and Coleman has emerged as Auburn’s offensive backbone. Hunter carried the load with 130 rushing yards and three touchdowns, while Lambert-Smith and Coleman posted back-to-back 100+ yard receiving games.
Quarterback Payton Thorne played a crucial role in distributing the ball effectively to the dynamic receivers, while Miller stood out as one of the few offensive linemen to receive a respectable grade, particularly for his run blocking.
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Lowest Offensive Performers
1. Tate Johnson (OL) – 41.1 (six snaps)
2. Jeremiah Wright (OL) – 51.0
3. Luke Deal (TE) – 53.3
4. Connor Lew (OL) – 53.7
5. Dillon Wade (OL) – 56.6
Analysis
Auburn’s offensive line struggled, particularly with pre-snap penalties late in the game. Run blocking grades were especially poor, with the highest among the group being Wade’s 58. Auburn’s overall run blocking grade (56.1) was among its lowest this season, highlighting an area for improvement heading into their next matchup.
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Top Defensive Performers
1. Dorian Mausi (LB) – 75.5
2. Philip Blidi (DL) – 71.3
3. Demarcus Riddick (LB) – 68.7
4. Kaleb Harris and Jerrin Thompson (S) – 68.3
5. Zykeivous Walker (DL) – 68.0
Analysis
Strong tackling was the key to Auburn’s defensive success, with the team achieving an 81.6 tackling grade. Safety Jerrin Thompson shone with an 89 tackle grade, while Mausi delivered one of his best performances, earning the team’s highest coverage grade (78.8) over 30 snaps.
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Lowest Defensive Performers
1. Keyron Crawford (LB) – 45.4
2. Trill Carter (DL) – 46.9 (eight snaps)
3. Austin Keys (LB) – 53.7
4. Quientrail Jamison-Travis (DL) – 56.6
5. Isaiah Raikes (DL) – 57.1
Analysis
Auburn’s defensive line struggled against the run, contributing to several low grades. Despite generating pressure, Keyron Crawford had a puzzlingly low overall grade, including a 37.5 run defense score and two missed tackles.
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Key Takeaways
While Auburn’s performance wasn’t flawless, the team found ways to get the critical stops and offensive plays needed to secure the victory. The reliance on Hunter, Lambert-Smith, and Coleman continues to be a bright spot, while tackling remains a defensive strength. However, the struggles in run blocking and defensive line performance underline areas that need refinement as the Tigers push toward bowl eligibility.
