Vanderbilt linebacker Bryan Longwell made headlines not just for his solid performance on the field, but for his postgame celebration aimed directly at Auburn football's coaching staff. Following Vandy's 17-7 win over AU, Longwell took to social media to share a text message he received in December 2022 from an unnamed head coach, revealing that the coach's team had chosen not to pursue him as a recruit.
The message, sent days before Christmas, read, “Sorry buddy, we’re not going to sign a HS LB in this class more than likely. You’re a great player with a bright future! Hope you and yours have a Merry Christmas!”
Longwell, now a sophomore at Vanderbilt, captioned his post with a sly “Merry Christmas!!” adding a dose of irony. Given the timing of the post, it's safe to say it was about Hugh Freeze and Auburn.
As a former 3-star prospect, Longwell had extra motivation going into Saturday’s game, and his four-tackle performance was part of Vanderbilt’s defensive effort that stifled the Tigers' offense. Longwell’s “receipts” jab at Auburn’s staff resonated with fans and highlighted the linebacker’s satisfying moment of revenge against the program that passed him over.
Vanderbilt tops Auburn football in historic win at Jordan-Hare Stadium
Vanderbilt’s victory over Auburn wasn’t just personal for Longwell -- it marked a significant achievement for the Commodores, who improved to 6-3 and reached bowl eligibility. This win was Vanderbilt’s first-ever victory at Auburn’s Jordan-Hare Stadium, a feat that reinforces Vanderbilt’s season as one of their best in recent years. With this win, the Commodores climbed to 3-2 in SEC play, continuing an impressive stretch in which they’ve won four of their last five games.
The game underscored Auburn’s struggles on offense, as the Tigers failed to score beyond a single touchdown, despite outgaining Vanderbilt in total yards 327 to 227. Auburn's offense repeatedly stalled, managing only one successful third-down conversion late in the fourth quarter and maintaining possession for just 3:57 in the final 15 minutes. Eight of Auburn’s twelve drives ended in six plays or fewer, underscoring an offensive drought that has plagued the team throughout the season.
Auburn football's costly errors cost them...again
Special teams errors further compounded Auburn’s lackluster offense. Early in the fourth quarter, Auburn defensive lineman Keldric Faulk committed a costly penalty during a Vanderbilt field goal attempt by illegally propelling himself off a teammate to block the kick. This mistake allowed Vanderbilt to extend their drive, resulting in a touchdown that pushed their lead to 17-7.
Freeze voiced frustration over the penalty, disputing the call by saying, “On the line of scrimmage, you can put your hands on the back of your linemen. You can’t land on them. I didn’t think we landed on them.”
Despite Freeze’s objections, the penalty proved costly, allowing Vanderbilt to build an insurmountable lead.
Adding to Auburn’s difficulties, true freshman kicker Towns McGough missed both of his field goal attempts, lowering his season stats to five for twelve and leaving the Tigers without critical points when they needed them most.
Frustrations mount in Auburn football's season full of struggles
Auburn’s season has hit another low, with Saturday’s loss all but ending their hopes for a bowl game. The Tigers have now lost six games and are facing the likelihood of three consecutive seasons with six or more losses; a stretch of frustration that hasn’t been seen in Auburn since the 1940s.
Reflecting on the team’s struggles, Freeze acknowledged the pressure to improve while expressing his admiration for his players’ resilience.
“The easiest thing to do is for people to check out in life or in football,” Freeze said postgame. “That’s one of the things I’ve been very proud of this team: They haven’t given in, and they haven’t checked out.”
With only three games left on the schedule, Auburn’s focus has shifted from a potential bowl bid to building a foundation for the future. As Freeze aims to address the Tigers' offensive inconsistencies and special teams issues, the team faces an uphill battle to finish the season on a positive note.