What Hugh Freeze, Auburn players said following a 48-10 beatdown of Arkansas
Hugh Freeze said it in the locker room and repeated it to the media afterwards: That was Auburn’s most complete game of the season and it wasn’t particularly close.
“You can’t say enough about our coaches and our young men, everybody,” Freeze said. “They’ve continued to work, we’ve continued to improve, and tonight was by far the best and most complete game for sure.”
The Tigers racked up 517 yards on offense and scored 48 points (41 on offense), but the defense was equally impressive. Arkansas switched offensive coordinators before the Florida game and won in Gainesville for the first time in program history. But on Saturday, Auburn’s defense completely shut down Arkansas to the tune of 255 total yards, 10 points and one third-down conversion on the day.
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“They made it very uncomfortable in the pocket, they crushed that pocket pretty good,” Freeze said. “When we put them in a bind with the turnover, the held them to a field goal which is a win. They played outstanding today.”
Auburn’s 354 rushing yards was the most in a SEC game since 2016. Count Freeze among those thoroughly impressed with the performance.
“It’s O-line, tight ends and running backs. I thought they were dominant today,” Freeze said. “I thought we were punishing in the run game and it takes all those. I’m proud of them, too. The first drive, we set the tone. Getting out to a fast start was vital.”
Like Freeze did at Ole Miss and Liberty before, his first season at a new program will result in another bowl game. Auburn sits at six wins with two games remaining on the schedule.
“It’s vital in our rebuild that we get the extra practices,” Freeze said, “our seniors get to experience a bowl game, our young kids get extra practices. We check that box and let’s go get a win at home.”
Keionte Scott talks about his 74-yard punt return for a touchdown:
“He challenged me this morning. He needed me to make a big play on punt return. I got some great blocks, was able to visualize, see the field and make a play. My main thing when I catch the ball is getting down and being able to see. I’m at my best when I can see the field and scan — I got some great blocks, one extremely great block after I broke through the hole. I’m thankful for my teammates. If I can get my eyes down and see the ball and the field, I’ll be able to make a play.”
Tanner Burns on Scott’s touchdown return:
“We had to get a fast start going. They had been giving up some big returns and we were able to capitalize. Their punter had struggled some, we tried to heat him up early and the ball was in Keionte’s hands and he did the rest for us. We missed him when he was out a few weeks. He’s a difference maker for us. We felt good about getting him going and he was able to capitalize.”
And Alex McPherson‘s two field goals:
“It’s the first time in my career I probably haven’t had to worry about the field goal kicking situation. I was blessed to walk into a great situation. He knows what he’s doing and he doesn’t flinch for sure.”
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Jalen McLeod after his nine tackle, four tackle for loss and three sack performance:
“Coming into this game, they were saying it was going to be a defensive game, but we wanted to show we were the top dogs. It’s a blessing. Since Ole Miss, this is my fourth game fully healthy. That is a blessing. I’m getting the ball rolling and doing things that God put me on a path to do. Trenches play is the biggest part of the game. You win in the trenches, you’ll win. (Our confidence) is through the roof. We’re playing with confidence and having fun. War Eagle, baby!”
Payton Thorne on his 251 total yards and four touchdowns against Arkansas:
“We have some good momentum right now. We need to hold onto it and keep putting one foot in front of the other, coming in each day and working hard. The defense played outstanding today, the offensive line played outstanding today. It’s a honor to play behind those guys, and we ran the ball well today. We had guys making plays and that was good to see.”
On staying aggressive on offense:
“When you get out to that lead, depending on where it is in the game, you want to keep your foot on the gas and I thought we did that today. We extended it and put it out of reach earlier than we did last week, which was great. That’s your goal as a quarterback is to put the game away when you have the ball. We executed in the second half as well and that was good to see.”
On his 88 yards rushing, including 79 in the first half:
“I think they were read plays, zone read or a gap scheme read. I was trying to make the right read and if the defense tells me to pull it, I’m going to pull it. It’s trying to execute it when it’s called, get north and south when I can. We were talking about how it was going to be a fight today in the locker room and I was walking around telling the guys that we need to throw the first punch and get out to a fast start. That was my mentality and I guess you have to lower the shoulder sometimes.”
Jake Thornton on the offensive line’s stellar play against Arkansas, leading the way for 354 yards rushing:
“We knew this was going to be a physical football game. You have to run the football and establishing the line of scrimmage is a huge part of that. We challenge them all week long and they answered the bell today. Wide zone has been a really good play for us this year and our backs did a wonderful job of seeing it and trusting the read and getting back behind the blocks. It’s such a, this is a complete running back room and they’re playing at a high level right now. Coach Cadillac (Williams) and the guys, the tight ends, we ran a bunch of 12 personnel with the tight ends involved, really a group effort.”
On the O-line depth with the first five to seven guys rotating in and out:
“First of all, selflessness on their part of knowing what we want to accomplish and encouraging each other in practice and then being ready when your number is called. We talked about this after the Georgia game that we wanted to roll guys out there and play and we challenged some guys, guys doing a good job in practice and having better weeks of practice, and putting faith in us to get them in the game. Then, executing and gelling in practice, getting reps mentally and physically, it was fun to watch them come together.”
On the confidence of the O-line and the team in general after three straight wins:
“We have a lot of confidence playing in Auburn and playing in front of our home crowd. I’m excited about a really good New Mexico State team who has already won (eight games), so really excited about that matchup The confidence thing is big. As an offensive line, we’ve faced some tests this year and we’ve tried to use that as motivation.”
