Star Auburn transfer credits consistency in first SEC win

It took a while, but after Auburn football’s win over Mississippi State this weekend it feels like we are finally seeing the version of the Tigers that head coach Hugh Freeze has wanted this season.

All year there has been something off, whether it was the constant rotation of quarterbacks Payton Thorne and Robby Ashford, the missed routes or drops from wide receivers, miscommunication and failure to execute, or something else. But this week, things seemed to click for the Tigers.

Thorne started the game and actually stayed in for the majority of it, with Ashford coming in only a few times throughout the contest. After five games with no offensive identity, Thorne was able to find a rhythm and have fun passing the ball around, per AL.com:

"“I would say so,” Thorne responded when asked if staying in the game helped him build rhythm. “I was out there more than normal and just rolling with our tempo and rolling with whatever guys are out there.”"

All year, Auburn football players have insisted that the Tigers look great in practice and that they are able to consistently execute in the passing game. According to tight end Rivaldo Fairweather, this is the Payton Thorne the Tigers have seen in practice all year:

"“That’s the Payton I been knew since I got here,” Fairweather said. “We’re going to continue to see that Payton.”"

Hopefully now, with four games left on the 2023 slate, the Tigers will stick with this approach and let Payton Thorne get comfortable behind the offensive line. If he can continue to throw the ball and make plays like he did against Mississippi State, there’s no doubt that Auburn football will qualify for a bowl game this year.

The next matchup will see the Tigers traveling to Nashville to take on the Vanderbilt Commodores for a 3:00 p.m. kickoff.