Payton Thorne calls for Auburn players to ‘keep fighting,’ not quit on season

Auburn is in the midst of a tough season, losing their fourth straight game against Missouri on Saturday. All of those have been against SEC opponents and after a 2-1 record in the nonconference, the Tigers sit at 2-5. Not what anybody on the Plains had in mind heading into the year, especially quarterback Payton Thorne.

Going through the motions for the final five games could be easy but Thorne has challenged his teammates. He believes closing out the season on a high note is important, wanting to take advantage of the opportunities presented to them. A positive mindset from one of the team’s leaders, hoping to scrape together a couple of wins.

“For me, it’s a mindset of ‘If you don’t quit and you keep battling through a season like this’ — the season is far from over,” Thorne said. “We got at least five (games) guaranteed to us. That’s five opportunities to go play football. I believe it’s never for nothing. If you got these opportunities in front of you, whether you’re a guy that might leave after the year, who knows?

“If you’re a guy where this is your last year in college football, if you’re a guy — any situation you might be in. You might as well give it all you got because any direction you go, you won’t regret fighting and not quitting.”

Despite the losses, it’s not like Auburn has suffered them in blowout fashion. Three of them have been one-possession games while Arkansas got a 10-point win thanks to a late touchdown in the fourth quarter. Hugh Freeze has spoken at length about his team being close to finding success but thus far, the Tigers have had no luck.

Of the five games remaining, three of them are against currently ranked teams. There is certainly an opportunity to make a splash down the stretch and potentially pull off an upset. Plus, a game against Louisiana-Monroe is one you expect Auburn to win, no matter the situation.

Thorne’s comments came right after the Missouri loss with a trip to Lexington next up to face Kentucky. His goal throughout the week of practice was to keep the competitive spirit high and hopes Auburn comes out with the will to win.