Upset alert: Auburn leads Vanderbilt at the half in first game without Hugh Freeze
By Rolando Rosa
Published:
Auburn is in its first game since firing head coach Hugh Freeze. However, interim head coach D.J. Durkin is off to a strong start, as Auburn leads host No. 16 Vanderbilt 20-10 at halftime.
The 47-year-old Durkin is also Auburn’s defensive coordinator and that unit is looking solid against Vanderbilt so far. Auburn blanked Vanderbilt in the first quarter and defensive end Keldric Faulk recovered a fumble by Vanderbilt’s Makhilyn Young in the first half.
Auburn had 3 players with at least 4 tackles at halftime: safeties Kaleb Harris and AnQuon Fegans, as well as linebacker Robert Woodyard Jr..
Offensively, Auburn quarterback Ashton Daniels completed 14 of his 18 passes for a touchdown while also rushing for 53 yards and a score. Eric Singleton Jr. caught Daniels’ touchdown pass in the first quarter. Daniels’ 11-yard rushing touchdown came in the second quarter.
Auburn is looking to avoid a losing streak after falling 10-3 vs. visiting Kentucky in Freeze’s final game. Freeze finished with a 15-19 overall mark and 6-16 record in SEC play at Auburn.
This is the final road game of the season for the Tigers. Auburn has a bye next week followed by home games vs. Mercer and rival Alabama in the Iron Bowl.
