Mistake-prone Auburn to keep it simple vs. New Mexico

Field Level Media|published: Wed 11th September, 15:22 2024

Auburn Tigers wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith (5) and quarterback Payton Thorne (1) celebrate their touchdown connection as Auburn Tigers take on California Golden Bears at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024.

Auburn is hoping more simplicity will lead to fewer giveaways.

The Tigers (1-1), who had five turnovers in a 21-14 home loss to Cal last week, host New Mexico on Saturday night.

"Our coaching staff feels like maybe we attempted to carry too much (last week)," Auburn coach Hugh Freeze said. "I can assure the package will not be big moving forward for this week so that we can get an accurate picture of 'is this going to be a recurring theme where we have to make decisions?'

"We probably carried a bit too much, but we just missed some very simple, simple things that keep us ahead of the chains and not in those third-and-longs, which we just can't live in."

Payton Thorne threw four interceptions, but Freeze said he wasn't ready to make a change before adding that backup quarterback Hank Brown will "definitely get his share of reps this week."

"We are not talented enough to play badly and win," Freeze said. "Football season is a long season. There were many, many good teams that struggled (last week) like we did. One game cannot define a season. I expect us to respond like you should."

The Lobos (0-2) are coming off an unusually early open date after losing twice in August, at home against Montana State (35-31) and at then-No. 21 Arizona (61-39).

First-year coach Bronco Mendenhall said he was surprised in the first two games by his team's "inconsistency in the big plays we're giving up defensively."

"I didn't expect that many big plays that frequently," he added. "I thought we were kind of past that."

Mendenhall acknowledged that the Lobos, who haven't won more than four games since 2016, don't have favorable individual matchups against Auburn as he begins rebuilding the program.

"(Our team is) hungry, eager, hopeful, desperate, diligent and resilient," Mendenhall said, "and that part has been really fun. I've really liked that part of it."

Devon Dampier leads the Lobos in passing (432) and rushing yards (164) and has accounted for seven touchdowns.

--Field Level Media

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