FAYETTEVILLE — Auburn has transitioned from a quarterback who threw four interceptions in a loss to California to one who threw four touchdown passes in a win over New Mexico.
So, guess who’s starting when the Tigers (2-1) face off against the University of Arkansas (2-1) in both teams’ SEC opener at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday?
Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze confirmed that after redshirt freshman Hank Brown’s standout performance in their 45-19 win over New Mexico — where he threw touchdown passes to four different receivers — he’ll retain his starting role.
“If he keeps playing well, he’ll stay in the lineup,” Freeze said. “If not, it might push everyone else to step up.”
Brown took over from senior Payton Thorne, who didn’t play after throwing four interceptions in Auburn’s 21-14 loss to California.
Brown is excited about his first SEC start, telling reporters on Tuesday, “It’s a definite step up in competition. Arkansas will be a tougher defense than we faced last week. They’re fundamentally sound, and we’re ready to execute.”
At 6-4 and 208 pounds, Brown played for Trent Dilfer at Lipscomb Academy in Nashville, Tennessee. Dilfer, now head coach at Alabama-Birmingham, led UAB against Arkansas last week, when the Razorbacks rallied to win 37-27.
Brown and Dilfer remain close, and Brown hinted at potential insights from his former coach, saying, “We stay in constant contact. We’ve got a great relationship, and we’ve talked a bit.”
Brown initially committed to Liberty in June 2022, when Freeze coached there. After Freeze took the Auburn job in December 2022, Brown switched his commitment to Auburn.
“I always believed I could start here,” Brown said after the New Mexico game.
Brown completed 17 of 25 passes for 235 yards, with no interceptions. Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman praised his performance, saying, “Brown had a fantastic game. Four touchdowns, great accuracy, and his protection was solid.”
This marked the first time an Auburn quarterback threw four touchdowns in their first start since Jeremy Johnson in 2013. It was also Brown’s third game in two seasons at Auburn. He played briefly in the Tigers’ Music City Bowl loss to Maryland last season and also appeared in this season’s opener, a 73-3 win over Alabama A&M.
Freeze shared on Monday, “I’ve recruited Hank since he was in 10th grade. I’ve always felt he had that special ‘it’ factor. It doesn’t always mean it translates into plays, but he’s shown it in every chance he’s gotten.”
“So I’ve always had this kind of sneaking belief that he had something to him and now we’re getting ready to find out at what level.”
Thorne, who transferred from Michigan State last season and became the starter, didn’t play against New Mexico but he stayed engaged on the sideline helping Brown.
Freeze said he overheard Thorne talking to Brown about reading coverages.
“I’m really close with Payton,” Brown said. “He’s awesome. He’s a leader.
“He does a great job helping me out from an experience standpoint. He’s done a great job of being there for me.”
Freeze said he decided last Monday to start Brown, but he didn’t tell the team — not even Brown — until Thursday.
“I think from the first week, I’ve tried to prepare like I was the starter,” Brown said Tuesday when he talked to reporters in Auburn. “Now that I am, I will continue to prepare, obviously, in that way.
“There’s a level of intensity that rises just within the team now that it’s SEC play. My challenge for the team is that we approach every week as the most important game. That’s what I’m going to continue to do.”
Pittman said Auburn is more of a pocket-passing team with Brown while Thorne is more run-oriented.
“Brown may be more of a bigger threat throwing it,” Pittman said. “I mean, he can wing it now. For his first (start) to throw four touchdowns, pretty impressive.”
Brown wasn’t sacked and Freeze said the offensive line allowed one pressure.
“Any time you get a new quarterback, you want him to not be pressured,” Pittman said. “They did such a good job of protecting him. He looked really comfortable running in the game, running the offense, and was very, very accurate.
“If you didn’t know he was a redshirt freshman, you wouldn’t have known it watching the game. He did a wonderful job.”
Thorne had a strong game at Arkansas last season when he completed 12 of 20 passes for 163 yards and 3 touchdowns and rushed 12 times for 88 yards and a touchdown in the Tigers’ 48-10 victory.
Freeze said he remains confident in Thorne.
“I’ve stood with Payton and still believe that he’s a good football player,” Freeze said. “You never know if his number gets called again, and he’s handled the disappointment very well.”
Freeze said Brown needs to have better awareness of the play clock to avoid delay of game penalties, but that he handled the offense well overall.
“He got us into the right runs, 100% of his checks were right,” Freeze said. “His decision making was good. His execution was good.
“I was pleased with his first performance, for sure. This week will be a bigger test for him.”
Leave a Reply