Auburn cornerback Champ Anthony carted off field vs. Arkansas

Auburn is down a cornerback early and likely the entire game against Arkansas. Defensive back Champ Anthony suffered an injury in the first quarter, being carted off the field. By the time the cart was driving away, a cast was already around Anthony’s leg.

The ESPN broadcast did not even show a replay of the injury, with play-by-play commentator Mark Jones saying it was too gruesome to show again. However, they were able to show the entire Auburn sideline going to pray over their teammate. A nice gesture in what has to be a scary moment for Anthony.

CLICK HERE to go to PrizePicks and use code ON3 to receive a guaranteed $50 once you play $5 in lineups!

Heading into the game, there was an injury problem for Anthony. He was named on the Thursday availability report by Auburn, being listed as probable. Friday’s edition did not have Anthony listed and was cleared to play in front of the Jordan-Hare Stadium crowd.

Anthony is in his second season with the program but is one of the more veteran players in the Auburn secondary. Head coach Hugh Freeze was able to pull him out of the NCAA transfer portal as a JUCO star and the impact was immediately felt as Anthony played in all three games.

Watch College Football Games Live -Try for Free Fubo! Click HERE NOW

Save $30 on your first month of Fubo by CLICKING HERE NOW! For a limited time, you can get your first month of Fubo for as low as $49.99. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC and 200+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)

With the positive play, a bigger role was carved out for Anthony as he was brought into the starting lineup as the nickel corner. In three games, Anthony has recorded 12 tackles — 10 of which were solo — and one tackle for loss. A big loss for Auburn in likely more than just the Arkansas game.

Hugh Freeze makes Auburn quarterback change at halftime

Hugh Freeze was quick to make a quarterback change for Auburn following the loss to Cal, turning to Hank Brown. Payton Thorne was previously the guy but spent the New Mexico game and the first half of Saturday vs. Arkansas watching from the bench.

This was until Brown threw three interceptions as Auburn went scoreless through two quarters at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Freeze felt strongly enough to make another change. It’s Thorne who has taken the field to begin the second half against Arkansas, hoping to find a spark for the offense.

“Baffled, perplexed, perturbed,” ESPN sideline reporter Quint Kessenich said as Thorne took the field to begin the second half. “Hugh Freeze when I asked him about quarterback Hank Brown. I said ‘You going to come back with him?’ He said ‘I don’t know.’ So obviously, during the halftime, he rethought this and enters Payton Thorne.”