In a season-opening statement at McLane Stadium in Waco, Auburn delivered a strong performance, defeating Baylor 38–24. The story of the night was Auburn’s dominant ground game, led by transfer quarterback Jackson Arnold, along with a game-changing special teams play that shifted momentum decisively in the Tigers’ favor.
Ground Game Paves the Way
Jackson Arnold announced himself emphatically in his Auburn debut, rushing for 137 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries—accounting for nearly half of Auburn’s 307 rushing yards. His effectiveness as a dual-threat quarterback set the tone throughout the game.
Auburn’s offense was predicated on its balance, finishing with 415 total yards compared to Baylor’s 483, but leaning heavily on its rushing attack—Auburn recorded 52 rushes to Baylor’s 24.
Special Teams Spark
The game’s momentum pivoted dramatically in the third quarter when Rayshawn Pleasant returned a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown, expanding Auburn’s lead and sending the Tigers bench into a frenzy.
Baylor’s Aerial Response
On the other side, Baylor leaned into their air attack, with quarterback Sawyer Robertson throwing for 419 yards and three touchdowns, connecting frequently with top receiver Kole Wilson (8 receptions, 134 yards) and tight end Michael Trigg (99 yards, 1 TD).
Despite this offensive firepower, Baylor couldn’t overcome Auburn’s ground dominance and the rapid shift in momentum that followed Pleasant’s electrifying kickoff return touchdown.
Quarter-by-Quarter Recap
- 1st Quarter: Auburn matched Baylor’s field goal with a 24-yard rushing touchdown by Arnold (7–3).
- 2nd Quarter: Auburn added a rushing TD from Damari Alston and a field goal to lead 17–3, though Baylor answered with a Robertson-to-Prentice 33-yard TD to cut the gap to 17–10 by halftime.
- 3rd Quarter: Auburn pulled ahead with a Cobb touchdown run before Pleasant’s 98-yard kickoff return made it 31–17 heading into the fourth.
- 4th Quarter: Baylor narrowed the score to 31–24 on a Robertson-to-Trigg TD. But Arnold capped the night with a 27-yard touchdown run, sealing the 38–24 win for Auburn.
Looking Ahead
The victory moves Auburn to 1–0 on the season and gives head coach Hugh Freeze a statement-opening win on the road. Arnold’s dynamic rushing and playmaking ability will likely shape Auburn’s offensive identity moving forward.
For Baylor, the loss opens the season at 0–1 in a matchup they hoped to protect at home. Despite a standout passing performance from Robertson, the Bears couldn’t keep pace when Auburn seized control on the ground and special teams.
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