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Auburn Tigers News: Hugh Freeze wants this special teams change, talks Diego Pavia

In today's edition of Auburn Tigers News, Hugh Freeze discusses a special teams change he wants to see and talks about facing Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia.

By Mary Kate Hughes

Oct 26, 2024; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Auburn Tigers head coach Hugh Freeze fives Auburn Tigers wide receiver Malcolm Simmons (11) during the second quarter against the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
Oct 26, 2024; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Auburn Tigers head coach Hugh Freeze fives Auburn Tigers wide receiver Malcolm Simmons (11) during the second quarter against the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images / Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
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In today's edition of Auburn Tigers News, Hugh Freeze discusses a special teams change he wants to see and talks about facing Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia

Though the Auburn football team finally broke through and pulled off an SEC win over Kentucky, errors have plagued the team repeatedly, and one of the most troubling issues is kickoff penalties. Several times in the last few games, the Tigers committed careless penalties early on that resulted in poor field position.

According to Auburn Undercover, head coach Hugh Freeze "begged" special teams coordinator Tanner Burns to stop allowing his players to return the ball.

"No more of that after that one," Freeze said. "We're not doing that anymore. If I have to start another possession inside the 25 because we have a penalty on a return, I think I'm going to lose it now. That has to stop."

Hugh Freeze on Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia

This weekend, the Tigers will return to Jordan-Hare Stadium after three games on the road. Vanderbilt will come to the Plains, and so will quarterback Diego Pavia, who is no stranger to victory in Auburn. Last season, Pavia led the New Mexico State Aggies to a big win over the Tigers right before the Iron Bowl.

He transferred to Vanderbilt ahead of the 2024 season to follow Jerry Kill, former New Mexico State head coach, who took an off-field role on Clark Lea's staff. So far, Vandy is 5-3 overall and 2-2 in conference play with big wins over Alabama and Kentucky. Freeze spoke to the media about Pavia earlier this week.

"I'm sick of seeing that quarterback," Freeze said with a smile, per Auburn Undercover. "I've had enough of him. He moves and makes plays, and is savvy and smart and tough. Again, makes everybody do their assignment on every single play. It burned. It's 3 yards here on a broken play, and it's 4 yards, and it's third-and-3, and they get 3-and-a-half. A lot of it is due to the system. They're very well coached."

Auburn and Vanderbilt will kick off from Jordan-Hare Stadium this Saturday at 11:45 a.m.

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