3 takeaways from Auburn’s lopsided win over Mississippi State
By Keith Farner
Published:
Auburn’s offense looked better than it has all season, and the Tigers easily rolled over Mississippi State on Saturday, 27-13.
Mississippi State played without Will Rogers and Woody Marks, who were both out with injuries. Marks played last week despite a lingering leg injury, while Rogers suffered a shoulder injury before the bye week against Western Michigan.
The loss stifled Mississippi State’s momentum as it came in on a 2-game winning streak, while Auburn had lost 4 in a row, including by just 7 points to both No. 1 Georgia and No. 12 Ole Miss.
As the Bulldogs looked for a last-gasp effort to make a comeback, a 4th down pass play fell incomplete out of bounds with 2:55 remaining.
Jarquez Hunter turned in an impressive game, including a 50-yard run in the closing minutes, as he finished with 144 rushing yards on 17 carries.
Here are our 3 takeaways from the game:
Auburn jumps out to fast start
The Tigers struck gold early, including a 45-yard touchdown to Ja’Varrius Johnson as they built a 14-3 lead with 4:12 remaining in the first quarter. Johnson made an over-the-shoulder catch on a pass from Payton Thorne.
Thorne began 8-for-9 passing for 120 yards and 2 touchdowns, as he earlier in the game connected with Shane Hooks on a 27-yard pass play into the end zone. Hooks made a frame-worthy stretch over the goal line to convert the score.
Auburn rang up 301 total yards in the first half, including 4 plays of at least 15 yards.
Payton Thorne delivers dazzling first half
The Auburn quarterback turned in a masterful performance in the first half. The passing threat in Auburn’s 2-quarterback operation, Thorne has notched 192 passing yards and a career-high 3 touchdowns on 15-for-20 passing. His hot start gave Auburn a 24-3 lead over Mississippi State heading into the second half.
Payton Thorne’s first half ⬇️
? 15/20
? 215 TOT Yards
? 3️⃣ Passing TDs
? 205.1 RTG? @PaytonThorne pic.twitter.com/5E5cHLgslN
— Auburn Football (@AuburnFootball) October 28, 2023
Bulldogs don’t quit
Mississippi State kept it interesting late thanks to the first career receiving touchdown by Zavion Thomas to cut the deficit to 27-13. Thomas’ catch came as he fell down at the back of the end zone. It capped an impressive 7-play, 75-yard drive that ended at the beginning of the 4th quarter.
First career receiving score for Zavion Thomas!#HailState? pic.twitter.com/hMpaIU7wRL
— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) October 28, 2023
In the 3rd quarter alone, Mississippi State piled up 131 yards, compared to just 49 for Auburn.
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
