Takeaways: Auburn completes comeback against the Cal Golden Bears

Rivaldo Fairweather saved Auburn's season in the win against Cal.

Author:
Zac Blackerby
Publish date:
Sep 10, 2023 1:53 AM EDT

In this story:

The Auburn Tigers did not look great on the road against the Cal Golden Bears but they found a way to win. The Tigers won 14-10.

The first real test of the Hugh Freeze era did not go well on offense for the Auburn Tigers. The anticipated new-look offense was far from impressive and was more of the same song Auburn fans are used to hearing dating back to the end of the Gus Malzahn era several years ago.

Still, a win is a win.

Here are some takeaways from Saturday night's late kick action.

Rivaldo Fairweather saved Auburn's season

Rivaldo Fairweather at Auburn football practice - Eric Starling/Auburn Daily — Eric Starling/Auburn Daily

The tight end didn't get a target in Auburn's week one win against UMass. In the fourth-quarter drive that produced the go-ahead score, Rivaldo Fairweather saved Auburn's season.

He converted a long third down conversation by hauling in an underthrown ball, he drew a defensive pass interference call, and he scored the go-ahead touchdown from Payton Thorne to give Auburn the lead.

The defense was incredible

Sep 9, 2023; Berkeley, California, USA; California Golden Bears wide receiver Monroe Young (14) is tackled by Auburn Tigers safety Donovan Kaufman (5) during the second quarter at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports — Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports

Auburn's defense was put into a terrible situation from the very start of the game until the game-clinching interception by DJ James to seal the game in the fourth quarter.

Auburn's offense had four turnovers. The Cal offense took over in Auburn territory four times and was able to score just three points.

Incredible.

No creativity on offense

Sep 9, 2023; Berkeley, California, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Payton Thorne (1) looks in for the play during the first quarter against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports — Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports

Everything Auburn fans were promised from the early stages of the Hugh Freeze era on offense will have to wait a little longer. The Tigers entered into the Saturday showdown with Cal with seemingly no plan for how to attack the Golden Bear defense.

They didn't try any sort of downfield passing and we consistently met with tough third downs situations. Any third-down try over third and six seemed like an impossible feat.

Auburn's offense wasn't ready

Hugh Freeze at Auburn football practice - Eric Starling/Auburn Daily — Eric Starling/Auburn Daily

There are a lot of new faces on this offense but that's not an excuse. If Auburn had played against a good football team, it would be a different conversation. Freeze and the Tigers took on a Cal team that tried to give Auburn the game countless times throughout the 60 minutes of action.

But looking across college football, teams with new coaches, new players, and new identities are able to succeed. The Auburn Tigers should never be in a situation where they are going to lose to Cal. There's a way to go for this team to compete in the SEC.

All of these issues are fixable

Sep 9, 2023; Berkeley, California, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Payton Thorne (1) prepares to pass the football during the second quarter against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports — Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports

Auburn returns home to play Samford next week before starting conference play on the road against Texas A&M. Communication from the sideline, holding on to the football, the rotation at the quarterback position, are all things that this tune up week can aim to fix before SEC play.