Hugh Freeze got the kind of final score during the Auburn A-Day spring game that you'd draw up: a 28-27 victory for the offense. The defense started with 27 points, so really it was just the offense producing an average of seven points per quarter. Towns McGough, filling in for the injured Alex McPherson as the starting PK, came up with 21 of those points, though, with seven made field goals in seven attempts, including the game-winner as the clock expired from 58 yards out. But the star of the game who was responsible for the one touchdown was undoubtedly Cam Coleman.
Coleman, the No. 1-rated recruit in Auburn's 2024 class, had 92 yards on four catches including the lone TD: a 34-yard underthrown Payton Thorne pass that No. 8 somehow caught despite cornerback Jay Crawford being draped all over him and partially blocking the path of the ball.
That was the second spectacular play he made after catching a 49-yard overthrown ball from Hank Brown in the first quarter of the intrasquad scrimmage.
While discussing the touchdown, Coleman was only able to recall his own emotions.
"Oh man, I can't even describe it because it happened so fast," Coleman said of the touchdown (h/t Rivals). "But it was just an abundance of joy, and it was just fun. It was just a great, great feeling."
Tiger fans may not come away with that feeling of the entire game. The defense dominated the offense and, though each quarterback had great moments, Brown in the first quarter and the rest primarily in the second half, no one emerged as a must-start signal-caller.
Whoever is throwing the ball will have an elite bailout option in Coleman. A star was born at Jordan-Hare Stadium on April 6.
Cam Coleman comments on atmosphere at Auburn A-Day spring game
Coleman was complimentary of the atmosphere on the Plains during his first public appearance in orange and blue, commending the fans who showed out for the game for providing great energy.
"Really just experiencing the whole thing, the fans," Coleman said. "I love the fans and really just a great atmosphere. Even though stadium wasn't full, it was still great energy around and it was just a great experience overall."
The atmosphere will always be top-notch at Jordan-Hare Stadium, but Coleman is about to bring joy to fans who have never seen a receiver of his caliber in an AU uniform.