Quick Takeaways: Auburn Tigers improve to 3-0 after win against Samford

The Auburn Tigers are 3-0 after taking down Samford.

It took the Auburn offense a little while to get going but it would eventually start clicking thanks to Tigers' quarterback Payton Thorne getting into a groove. 

Auburn won 45-13 despite a slow start.

The Auburn defense gave the offense time to get going and get the offense rolling as the Tigers open SEC play on the road against Texas A&M next weekend. 

Payton Thorne looked better

Eric Starling/Auburn Daily

Two picks are never good to have on your stat line. But as a whole, he was Auburn leader in the passing game as well as on the ground. After inconsistent moments against Cal last week, Thorne operated within the offense the best during his short time with the Auburn Tigers.

His 123 yards and two touchdowns on the ground were dynamic and will probably impact how Texas A&M decides to defend Auburn next weekend. His 282 yards threw the air gave him over 400 yards of total offense on the evening.

Jay Fair continues to shine as a wide receiver

Eric Starling/Auburn Daily

Jay Fair continues to be a primary read for Thorne in this Auburn offense. The shifty slot receiver led the Tigers in catches (six) and receiving yards (80). He was on the receiving end of several passing decisions from Thorne on RPOs. Fair was even targetted on a corner route in the red zone that was overthrown. 

The main issue from Fair on Saturday night was a muffed punt in the second half that Samford recovered. The Bulldogs would eventually score a few plays later. 

The defense continues to be solid

Eric Starling/Auburn Daily

Auburn's defense gave Samford trouble on offense at every level. Despite a few chunk plays, the defensive pass rush was consistent as well as elite plays made by Auburn's defensive backs. 

The defense had two sacks (One from Lawrence Johnson and another from Cam Riley.) Auburn recorded seven tackles for a loss against Samford. 

J.D. Rhym and Jaylin Simpson both earned interceptions. 

This is a game they should have dominated and they lived up to it. Next week's test on the road against Texas A&M will be one of their most important ones of the season. 

This game was all about Auburn

Eric Starling/Auburn Daily

Throughout the week, the talk about this game was focused on Auburn using these 60 minutes to get better for their showdown with Texas A&M in seven days. 

This game seemed more about the reps than the score. The turnovers were bad but running all over Samford doesn't make Auburn better for SEC play. The plays will be picked apart by the coaching staff and they will use that information to craft a plan to attack Texas A&M on Saturday. 

The Tigers seem much closer to putting it all together than a week ago against Cal. The offense is like a cake baking in the oven.

Maybe the timer will go off before the plane ride to College Station. 

Engage with Auburn Daily on Socials!

Join the Discord

Follow Auburn Daily on Twitter

Like Auburn Daily on Facebook

Subscribe to Locked On Auburn on YouTube

Buy Auburn Daily Merch