Auburn still trying to resolve QB issues as it hosts in-state Samford of the Southern Conference
Auburn still trying to resolve QB issues as it hosts in-state Samford of the Southern Conference
Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne (1) looks for a receiver during the first half of the team’s NCAA college football game against California on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Berkeley, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Auburn quarterback Robby Ashford looks for a receiver during the second half of the team’s NCAA college football game against California on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Berkeley, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Auburn coach Hugh Freeze watches during the second half of the team’s NCAA college football game against California, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Berkeley, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne (1) looks for a receiver during the first half of the team’s NCAA college football game against California on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Berkeley, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne (1) looks for a receiver during the first half of the team’s NCAA college football game against California on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Berkeley, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Auburn quarterback Robby Ashford looks for a receiver during the second half of the team’s NCAA college football game against California on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Berkeley, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Auburn quarterback Robby Ashford looks for a receiver during the second half of the team’s NCAA college football game against California on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Berkeley, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Auburn coach Hugh Freeze watches during the second half of the team’s NCAA college football game against California, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Berkeley, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Auburn coach Hugh Freeze watches during the second half of the team’s NCAA college football game against California, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Berkeley, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Samford (1-1) at Auburn (2-0), Saturday, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+/SEC Network+)
Line: No line, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Series record: Auburn leads 28-0-1.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
It’s a chance for Auburn to get its offensive issues, especially at quarterback, resolved before Southeastern Conference play starts. Payton Thorne has started the first two games, but Robby Ashford has gotten significant playing time too. Neither was effective for most of the Tigers’ 14-10 win at California. Coach Hugh Freeze has admitted that “we’ve got to figure it out,” but still wants Ashford getting his chances with the ball. Auburn had four turnovers and gained just 230 yards against Cal. Defending Southern Conference champion Samford just lost its league opener to Western Carolina, 30-7, in a game that included a six-hour lightning delay.
KEY MATCHUP
Auburn’s passing game versus Samford’s defense. Neither Thorne nor Ashford has been a consistent passer this season. In fact, Auburn didn’t attempt a pass in the third quarter against Cal. Thorne has passed for 235 yards while Ashford has been used more as a runner and is 3 of 9 for 3 yards in two games. Samford gave up 546 total yards against Western Carolina.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Auburn: RB Jarquez Hunter was the team’s most heralded playmaker coming into the season. Hunter didn’t play in the opener but rushed for 53 yards in Game 2. The Tigers have a pretty deep backfield but still need him to get going.
Samford:. QB Michael Hiers, who tied the program record with 36 touchdown passes last season, is off to a solid start. Hiers has thrown for 690 yards and six touchdowns without an interception in the first two games but was sacked six times in the loss to Western Carolina.
FACTS & FIGURES
Auburn has 19 shutouts in the series. Twenty of the meetings came from 1903-33, and the teams didn’t face each other from 1945 until 1992. The only time Samford, then known as Howard, didn’t lose was a 9-9 tie in 1927. ... The 10 points allowed by the Auburn defense at California matched the fewest the Tigers have given up to a Power 5 opponent since defeating Arkansas 34-3 in 2018. ... Samford is 2-80-3 against SEC teams, beating Mississippi State in 1909 (6-0) and Mississippi in 1934 (7-6).
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