Last weekend, Auburn football coach Hugh Freeze opted for a quarterback change, benching two-year starter Payton Thorne for redshirt freshman Hank Brown. The latter responded with a four-touchdown effort against New Mexico in a blowout Auburn Tigers victory. Freeze and company stuck with the hot hand in this Saturday’s tilt against SEC foe Arkansas, entering as a narrow favorite on their home turf. However, after a brutal three-interception performance, Auburn finds itself back at square one at the quarterback position, with Thorne relieving Brown after halftime.
Auburn fans quickly clamored for Brown as Thorne’s replacement after the senior struggled to open the season, including a four-interception game in a home loss against California. With Saturday’s loss representing more questions than answers at the quarterback position, AU faithful are at a loss of words with the program’s trajectory.
Auburn Football Fans Dumbfounded After Abysmal Quarterback Performance
According to Jaime Hale of ABC Birmingham:
Hugh Freeze on Hank Brown– “They’re not defined by performance as an individual. He did not play well in the first half. Missed open guys, threw the ball into coverage, so we’re not doing a very good job coaching quarterbacks right now.”
On the heels of his first career start with Auburn football, signal-caller Hank Brown posted an atrocious first half, going 7-of-13 for 72 yards and three interceptions. Brown tossed two picks in the final 60 seconds of the second quarter, including a back-breaking turnover deep inside Arkansas territory. After a four-touchdown outing the week before, Auburn returned to former starter Payton Thorne for the second half. Thorne played well, going 13-of-22 for 213 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. However, he became a sack victim twice, and lackluster defense led to an Auburn loss.
Auburn football will head into next week’s home contest against the Oklahoma Sooners with a 2-2 record. Auburn has still failed to defeat a Power Five opponent this season. More notably, Thorne has thrown just 14 touchdowns in 14 games against FBS opponents during his two-year tenure with the Tigers. Additionally, Brown has now posted six touchdowns to three picks in 2024. Those representing War Eagle did not hide their emotions following Saturday’s defeat.
Run the football hugh. Help your qb out
Arkansas ran it 55 times
You gave it to Hunter 12 times. Same as Cal game. 12 carries. Its pathetic coaching.
— psychedelicgoose (@beb0003) September 21, 2024
Hugh Freeze had a choice to go into the portal and grab a quarterback. Instead, he chose to trust Payton Thorne and then Hank Brown.
After Saturday, it's clear that choice was a major mistake, and the Tigers' season is on the brink due to it.
COLUMN: ⬇️https://t.co/66SpiY8A6r
— Brian Stultz (@brianjstultz) September 21, 2024
Hugh Freeze sez 'need players to not throw picks, catch and not fumble"
well, he recruited Thorne and Brown…recruited Coleman (cost AU 2 INTs with dropped passes in '24) and he re-recruited all of the backs to stay…
also is responsible for the OL.. he should take some blame— Luke Robinson (@LSRobinson21) September 21, 2024
Payton Thorne was terrible, but Auburn might actually be worse at quarterback with Hank Brown, who is less athletic and has a weaker arm.
Hugh Freeze has a real mess on his hands.
— Jesse Simonton (@JesseReSimonton) September 21, 2024
Payton Thorne has already been chewed up by the wheels of the bus that Freeze threw him under. Brown is clearly a career backup who got a scholly because no better option could be signed at the time. So is it Geriner time? Let’s just keep cycling through them.
— REBECCA BLACK FOREVER (@LonelyTalegater) September 21, 2024
I think the offensive gameplan itself is inept. This is hard to watch for both sides.
— LostSoulInAFishBowl (@dajinx13813) September 21, 2024
Barns spent all off season hyping up Payton Thorne only to watch him throw 4 INTs after they played a mid team
Insert Hank Brown who torched a high school team last week. Auburn fans hype him up.
So far: 2 INTs.
They never learn 😂😂😂
— Waaaay Offsides Cotton 🏆🏌️🐘🏈⚽️🏀🥎🤸♀️🏆 (@AlafrigginBama) September 21, 2024
Coleman sucks. Thorne sucks. Brown sucks. Coaching sucks. Refs suck. Broadcast crew sucks.
— steal this tweet (@leftybarner) September 21, 2024
Let’s be very frank:
You absolutely, 100% win this game if Payton Thorne starts. Starting Hank Brown may legitimately cost Auburn a bowl game with the schedule you have lined up the rest of the season.
— Carter Byrd (@CarterByrd13) September 21, 2024
What a mess at AU
— JaxNole.Algo (@JaxNole_algo) September 21, 2024
More Auburn News by Gridiron Heroics
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Auburn Tigers QB Hank Brown Follows up ‘Dominate’ Quote With Brutal 3 INTs
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Auburn Football: Fans Cheerful Following Excellent Performance From Freshman Quarterback – Week 3
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Auburn Football: Longtime Head Coach Tommy Tuberville Reminisces About Unforgettable Program Victory; ‘War Eagle’ – Week 3
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Auburn Football QB Payton Thorne Reveals Shocking Truth About Fans Following Tough Home Loss
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