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Hugh Freeze rips into Payton Thorne following failed fourth-down vs. Georgia

IMG_0985by:Griffin McVeigh•10/05/24•

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Hugh Freeze, Payton Thorne, Auburn
Hugh Freeze, Payton Thorne, Auburn - © John Reed-Imagn Images

Hugh Freeze took a risk to start the fourth quarter by electing to go for it on 4th and 1 from his own 44-yard line. Whatever the play call was, there was some kind of mix-up from Auburn and Georgia was able to force the turnover on downs. Payton Thorne was stopped well behind the line of scrimmage after pulling the ball from Jarquez Hunter.

As the play unfolded, Freeze looked confused and even said “What are we doing?” ESPN’s Greg McElroy tried to dissect the play.

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“I think it’s a zone read. But you look at how the defensive end, Jalon Walker, plays it, and they clearly didn’t have the look because Thorne pulls it and Walker tries to get blocked immediately. And Freeze absolutely lights up his quarterback as he goes back to the sideline.”

You can check out the play itself here.

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As McElroy mentioned, Freeze was not too happy with his quarterback and ripped into him on the sideline. The SEC on ABC cameras did catch the moment and even though you cannot see the head coach’s face, you can tell he is livid.

Thorne tried to state his case but was still hearing it. A tense moment on the Auburn sideline as they turn the ball over down 11 points.

Freeze has been quite vocal about decisions his quarterbacks have made this season, whether it’s Thorne or now-backup Hank Brown. Turnovers have been devastating for Auburn and while this will not go down in the turnover margin, it feels as if the game is trending away from the Tigers.

Postgame questions about the moment will certainly be asked. But for now, there is around a full quarter left to play between the hedges. We have seen Freeze be quick to make a switch at quarterback before, especially after costly turnovers in critical game moments. Maybe a decision is ahead of him after not being too pleased with Thorne.