After climbing into the AP Top 25 for the first time since 2021, the pressure was on Hugh Freeze and No. 24 Auburn to prove they belonged.
The Tigers answered the call Saturday afternoon with a 31–15 win over South Alabama, the program’s 34th straight Homecoming victory.
“We’ve got a lot we can improve on, but the goal today was to be 1-0 today and 3-0 headed into conference play, and our team achieved that,” said Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze. “We’re going to celebrate that, hopefully get some folks healthy and some rest this weekend, and get ready to open conference play.”
For the third week in a row, the Tigers’ rushing attack led the way, totaling 195 yards on the ground between Jeremiah Cobb, Jackson Arnold, Eric Singleton Jr. and Omar Mabson II. The orange and blue have combined for 726 rushing yards over their first three games.
“I think my prediction back in the spring and summer meetings that he would have a breakout year is coming true,” Freeze said of Cobb's 119-yard performance. “He took care of the ball very well. That’s something we’ve worked on with him a lot.”
Arnold finished his third game as a Tiger 13-for-24 with 142 passing yards and one touchdown. He also ran for 50 yards and two touchdowns.
Auburn’s offensive line was once again terrific, allowing only one sack for a 1-yard loss. Over the past few seasons, the Auburn family hasn’t been used to this level of consistent offensive line play, and their junior quarterback took notice.
“I thought they played their butts off again,” Arnold said of the offensive line. “Fantastic in the running game and fantastic in the passing game. They picked up blitzes phenomenally.”
Sophomore wide receiver Cam Coleman opened the scoring with a 32-yard touchdown catch from Arnold to put Auburn on top 7-0. The Tigers did not surrender the lead for the rest of the afternoon.
Coming out of halftime trailing 28-9, South Alabama quarterback Bishop Davenport found Devin Voisin for a 12-yard touchdown to cap the Jaguars’ 11-play, 75-yard drive, cutting Auburn’s lead to 28-15.
Staging a comeback down 31-15, Davenport and South Alabama drove to Auburn’s 18-yard line, looking to make it a one-score game. However, true freshman edge rusher Jared Smith had other plans, sacking Davenport and forcing a fumble that Xavier Atkins recovered.
“Their development is just now beginning,” Freeze said of Smith and the other true freshmen who received playing time today. “This is where the real learning happens.”
Auburn’s offense stalled in the second half, recording only 79 yards, but the defense stepped up and did enough to secure the victory.
Next week, Arnold will return to his old stomping grounds as No. 24 Auburn takes on No. 13 Oklahoma, the first of four straight ranked opponents.
Kickoff in Norman, Oklahoma, is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CST on ABC.
“I’m just worried about going to practice every day and being the best version of myself,” Arnold said about facing his former team next Saturday.
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Rory is a sophomore majoring in journalism sports production. He started with The Plainsman in the spring of 2025.
You can follow him on X (Twitter) at @RorymGarvin
