AUBURN — Auburn is looking to get back in the win column on Saturday night as the Tigers host the New Mexico Lobos in Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Here are four things to look for in the game:
Hank Brown's first start
News came out on Friday that Hank Brown would get his first collegiate start this weekend. The redshirt freshman has thrown for 228 yards and touchdown in two games played in an orange and blue uniform.
After last week's debacle from Payton Thorne, Freeze said that there was a "very, very short leash" on the Tigers' offense playing as poorly as they did against Cal and said both quarterbacks would have an even opportunity to prove what they can do throughout the week.
Ultimately, Brown will get the nod against a bottom-tier defense that has given up 48 points per game and 627 yards through the air in its first two games.
Offensive line rotation
Starting right tackle Izavion “TooTall” Miller went down last Saturday with an injury and is unlikely to suit up for the Tigers against New Mexico. Akron transfer Ronan Chambers got the bulk of the reps after Miller went out, but Freeze stated on Monday that he was unsure of what the front five would look like come game time.
“Most likely we’ll have to move D-Wade (Dillon Wade) to tackle this week and I’m not sure which one yet,” Freeze said. “We’ll kind of talk through that. I thought Percy (Lewis) played his best game, that was good to see. Tyler (Johnson) looked like a freshman at some points. We’ll need all three of them. Chances are we’ll move one to left (tackle), one to right (tackle) and the other guy is going to have to be the swing guy.
Can Auburn’s defense contain Devon Dampier?
The Tigers’ defense has yet to be tested with a true dual-threat quarterback taking snaps this season.
The Lobos offense has not had any trouble scoring points in its first two weeks of play led by Devon Dampier, as they have averaged 35 points per game.
Dampier leads the team in rushing with 164 yards on 18 carries and three touchdowns. A bulk of that production came last week against No. 20 Arizona as he rushed for 130 yards and two touchdowns with 260 yards through the air.
Look for Auburn defensive coordinator DJ Durkin to throw some different looks at him to try and keep him contained on the ground.
Turnovers
Yet again, Auburn lost the turnover battle in week two, and it was, in large-part, the reason they lost against Cal.
“Don’t turn it over five times, and I think we would have found a way to score enough points to win, even though we played bad. But not when you are having three-and-out, turnover, three-and-out, turnover, one play, turnover, one play, turnover,” Freeze said on Monday.
Along with seven offensive turnovers throughout two weeks of play, the defense is yet to force a turnover. The Tigers will hope that the turnover battle is won this week after the sloppy ball-control to start off the season.
Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT and will be aired on ESPN2.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email logan.fowler@1819News.com.
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