Auburn took its first loss of the Alex Golesh era in Week 3, losing 44-39 to Florida. Jon Sumrall got his first SEC victory over the team he passed up for the Gators. The Tigers got a harsh reminder that progress rarely comes quickly in this sport.
Still, the heart and fight until the very last second were signs that this year's team is different.
The Gators had 497 yards of total offense. Auburn was shockingly unprepared to handle Buster Faulkner's play-calling, which was perfectly executed by Florida quarterback Aaron Philo. Besides a Da'Shawn Womack interception, anyway.
The Tigers have plenty of questions to answer. It wasn't all bad by any stretch, though. Auburn had 373 yards of total offense themselves. There is definitely some explaining to do in the run blocking, though. The running back room had 40 rushing yards.
Here were three game balls and two scapegoats from the orange and blue side of this game:
Winner: Quarterback Byrum Brown
He wasn't perfect, and he often held on to the ball too long in the pocket. But Byrum Brown did as much as possible to make the Tigers a winner, in vain. With his arm and legs, Brown had over 300 all-purpose yards. He found the end zone four times. Brown was simply failed by the offensive line in front of him. Auburn ceded seven sacks.
It's clear that Brown will be able to win games for his team. It just can't come on a night when the opposition puts up 44. Or at least, it couldn't come on this night.
Loser: Running Back Bryson Washington
Bryson Washington had the chance to make the case for being the full-time RB2 behind Jeremiah Cobb, who at least found the end zone. Washington had just eight yards on his three carries, though.
On a day when Gators running back Jaden Baugh dominated with 162 rushing yards and three touchdown runs on the other side, Washington's struggles were all the more notable.
Winner: Mike Linebacker Elijah Melendez
Elijah Melendez was all over the field on Saturday night, pressuring Philo all night and amassing 11 tackles total, including a sack.
On a night of poor tackling, Melendez was a major standout. He covered for his teammates' mistakes time and again.
Loser: Cornerback Rayshawn Pleasant
Truthfully, the entire cornerback room could be included here. Rayshawn Pleasant lost Dallas Wilson and Vernell Brown III in coverage several times, including a 20-yard touchdown catch for the former.
The secondary had a brutal afternoon and evening. That cannot continue when SEC play offers even more explosive quarterbacks in the coming weeks and months.
Winner: Will Linebacker Xavier Atkins
Win or lose, Xavier Atkins is going to be one of the most disruptive players on the field. He had nine tackles, including a sack, nearly matching Melendez's output. He was effective in the pass rush and continued to find his way through the A-gap and B-gap.
There will be weeks when Atkins' leadership leads to a more cohesive performance from the defense. His individual performance still shone through, despite the loss.
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