Auburn cruises to victory over New Mexico

Auburn improved to 2 and 1 on Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium with a blowout win over New Mexico 45 to 19.

Auburn opened the first two games of the season with Senior Payton Thorne starting at quarterback; but after week two's disappointing offensive performance in the home loss to California at Berkley Coach Hugh Freeze made a change at quarterback. Freeze announced on Friday that freshman quarterback Hank Brown would be the starter against New Mexico. That gamble by the coaching staff paid big dividends for the Tigers.

The team responded well to Brown's leadership. The interior offensive line issues that plagued Auburn against the Cal defensive front were nonexistent on Saturday against New Mexico. Brown showed the ability to throw the receiver open by controlling the ball placement, finding the open receiver, and throwing the deep ball out in front of the receiver so he catches it in stride rather than having to break off his rout and come back to the defender to fight for the ball as they had to notably do with Thorne's spotty play against Cal. Brown finished the day with 17 completions on 25 attempts for four touchdowns and 232 yards.

Running back Jarquez Hunter had a stellar day rushing with 152 yards on the ground. New Mexico had no answer for the Tigers' ground game.

While the offense moved the ball at will against New Mexico, the defense struggled with the Lobos between the twenties. The Tigers could not get consistent pressure on New Mexico's scrambling quarterback, Devon Dampier, who gashed the Tigers for 291 yards of passing. The Tigers did however get tough in the red zone – holding the Lobos to field goal attempts keeping New Mexico from ever really being able to take a lead. Auburn led the game 17 to 13 at halftime; but poured on 28 points in the second half to get their second win of the season.

The Tigers open Southeastern Conference play on Saturday when the Arkansas Razorbacks come to Jordan Haire.

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