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Hugh Freeze comments on back-breaking pick-6 against Oklahoma
By Mark Kern
Published:
Huge Freeze and the Auburn Tigers dominated for much of the game against the Oklahoma Sooners on Saturday. However, turnovers once again hurt the Tigers late, and the Sooners escaped with a 27-21 victory.
The back-breaking play was a pick-6 thrown by Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne with just over 4 minutes remaining in the game. The Tigers had a 21-16 lead and were shifting into 4-minute offense mode. Oklahoma’s Kip Lewis plucked a Thorne pass and took it back 61 yards to put the Sooners up 3 with 4:06 remaining.
After the game, coach Freeze said he shouldn’t have put his quarterback in that situation in the game.
“I shouldn’t have put him in that position and have him have that option,” Freeze said. “It’s one that stings for sure, and I’ve got to help our team get over the edge when you have a chance to win a game like that.”
Hugh Freeze addresses the media following Auburn’s heartbreaking 27-21 loss to No. 21 Oklahoma. pic.twitter.com/uMmZvsPuGF
— Auburn Tigers | AL.com (@aldotcomTigers) September 28, 2024
Freeze was asked about the thought process behind the play-calling on that drive, which was questioned after running back Jarquez Hunter had picked up 16 yards just a few players prior to move the Tigers across midfield.
“I’ve got to make sure he (Thorne) understands the situation better,” Freeze said. “We should have had runs there. I’ve just got to be clearer with him on what we’re trying to do at that moment in the game.”
Turnovers have been a major issue all season for Auburn, as it entered the game tied for the most turnovers in the country with East Carolina (14). While that was the only turnover in the game, it once again was a huge factor in a Tigers loss.
Freeze shouldering more of the blame for the play strikes a different tone from last week, when many thought he called out his quarterbacks.
This was a game in which Auburn did so many things well enough to win the game, but was still unable to get across the finish line. Auburn had a 21-10 lead at one point in the fourth. The schedule doesn’t get any easier for the Tigers, as they will be on the road at Georgia in the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry.
