Ever since Bo Nix abandoned a sinking ship in Auburn, the Tigers have been on a lengthy and draining search for a quarterback who could actually lead the program to consistent wins.
In just one play against the Mercer Bears (who were 9-1 overall), originally third-string quarterback Deuce Knight proved he might be the solution.
On the first play of the game, with the clock quite literally still at 15:00, Knight scrambled out of the backfield and burst past defenders to score a 75-yard rushing touchdown, putting the Tigers up 7-0 after a successful PAT.
The Deuce Knight era is officially underway
After former Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Jackson Arnold transferred to play for the Tigers, former Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze was convinced he had found the answer to his program's prayers. Now, Arnold is riding the bench and Freeze is without a job.
Then, the Tigers decided to turn to QB2 Ashton Daniels as the new starter, but after a handful of losses, it was clear that he wasn't meant to be the QB1 after all.
Now, Knight, the player who started the year as the team's third-string quarterback, stepped up to the plate and immediately made his impact known.
Before the game against Mercer, Knight had thrown just two completions for 40 yards and zero touchdowns, gaining an additional 16 yards on the ground. However, interim head coach DJ Durkin believed he was the guy to put in the starting lineup against the Bears.
5 ⭐️ DEUCE KNIGHT ON THE FIRST PLAY OF THE GAME.
— College Football Report (@CFBReport) November 22, 2025
AUBURN’S SAVIOR HAS ARRIVED.
pic.twitter.com/KkdBShSqBX
While the Tigers were simply clawing their way into bowl eligibility, the promising start for Knight had Auburn fans feeling a little excited about their program's future once again.
After one quarter, Auburn (4-6 overall) and Mercer were tied at 14 points apiece. Knight had completed two passes for 20 yards and run the ball for a resounding 126 yards and two touchdowns as the only Tiger to find the end zone in the first quarter.