Jackson Arnold took the road less traveled in Week 1 win at Baylor
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WACO — Last season, Hugh Freeze‘s Auburn squad faced a tumultuous journey, leading the SEC in rushing yards per carry but faltering during critical moments against teams like Missouri and Oklahoma. In those high-stakes games, Freeze often reverted to his comfort zone with an aerial attack, which turned into nightmares for the Tigers. The result? A disappointing 5-7 overall record and a mere 2-6 mark in conference play.
As Freeze enters his third season at Auburn, the stakes are higher than ever. Would he dare to step outside of the comfort zone? And would former blue-chip Oklahoma transfer quarterback Jackson Arnold finally seize his moment?
Under the scorching Texas sun and the electric Friday Night Lights in Waco, both Freeze and Arnold answered those questions. They broke free from their past constraints and reshaped the narrative for Auburn. The Tigers emerged victorious over the Baylor Bears with a dominating 38-24 win, showcasing a punishing ground game that racked up an impressive 321 rushing yards at an average of 6.3 yards per carry.
Pacing the sidelines at McLane Stadium, I braced myself for yet another slow start from Arnold and the Auburn offense. However, even amid a tough crowd made up mostly of Baylor fans, Arnold found his rhythm on the ground early. By the second and third quarters — where Auburn scored 24 points alone — there was no stopping him or his offensive arsenal. In his debut as a Tiger, Arnold rushed for 137 yards and 2 touchdowns—the highest total for a quarterback since Nick Marshall in 2013.
The biggest takeaway from this game was not just Arnold’s performance, but also Freeze’s willingness to adapt on the fly. Faced with a crucial decision on 4th down while leading the game 31-21 with just under 5 minutes left, Freeze could have played it safe but he didn’t. He shared in the postgame press conference that it was the young quarterback Deuce Knight who told him to trust his instincts: ” Why not give the ball to your best playmaker and see what happens?”
Throughout the evening, Freeze emphasized how Knight insisted that quarterbacks are often the most dynamic playmakers on the team.
With confidence surging through him, Arnold decided to go all-in; there would be no holding back now. He set up for a PO jet sweep intended for Auburn transfer receiver Eric Singleton but he quickly recognized that the Baylor linebackers were in hot pursuit of Singleton’s route. Seizing the opportunity — just as Knight had predicted — Arnold kept the ball himself and powered through for a 27-yard touchdown run that all but sealed an Auburn victory on the road.
It’s hard to fathom that just a short time ago, Jackson Arnold was riding the bench for Oklahoma. Fast forward to Week 1 as a Tiger and he not only led his team to victory but he also showed that he can be a potentially elite runner from the quarterback spot.
But this wasn’t the game plan that Arnold and Freeze had envisioned when they built their approach against Baylor.
“I didn’t expect to run that much,” Arnold admitted candidly. “But at the same time, I’m going to do what I have to do to capitalize on what they gave us. I had to swallow my pride a little in the passing game.”
In a moment reminiscent of Robert Frost’s famous lines, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I — I took the one less traveled by, And that that has made all the difference,” both Freeze and Arnold chose the unconventional path that ultimately set Auburn on a new trajectory.
As Freeze reflected after Friday evening’s triumph, “You have to do what you have to do to win the game.”
This really resonated throughout their performance, where the Tigers showcased their ability not just to adapt, but to overcome, challenges where in the past they may have thrown in the towel or made a critical mistake.
Now, as Jackson Arnold and Auburn prepare to return home for Week 2 against Ball State on Saturday, Sept. 6, at Jordan-Hare Stadium, one thing is clear: this team is better equipped to handle whatever comes next.
Lee Ann joins the Saturday Down South team, bringing over fifteen years of experience covering the SEC as both a sports journalist and football scout. With her keen eye for talent, she has also flexes her skills as the Director of Recruiting for the Rebel Walk( Ole Miss) Herring, is a staff writer at USA Today Sports Wildcats Wire, where she dives into the thrilling world of Kentucky football and basketball. When fall rolls around, you can catch her on air as an analyst for the Wake up 502 College Football Show on Big X Sports Radio 96.1 FM—because who doesn't love a good game day chat? A proud Brown University alum, Lee Ann balances her time between the sidelines and press box with her passion for coaching her boys' youth lacrosse and savoring a fine glass of bourbon alongside a good cigar. So, whether she's dissecting plays or rallying the next generation of athletes, Lee Ann is your spirited insider ready to tackle all things SEC!
