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The Auburn Tigers (1-1) face off against the New Mexico Lobos (0-2) at 7:30 p.m. EST on Sept. 14 in Auburn, Ala., on ESPN2. The Tigers are coming off a disappointing 21-14 loss to the California Golden Bears on Sept. 7 and hope to course correct against their winless Mountain West Conference foes.
The Lobos are reeling after a 0-2 start with a tough 35-31 loss to Montana State on Aug. 24 and a 61-39 beatdown they took from Arizona on Aug. 31. New Mexico has had a week to recover from its losses and looks to gain a little traction against the more talented opponent in Auburn.
What's at Stake?
Auburn and their fans came into the season on a high. Head coach Hugh Freeze and his staff hauled in an impressive recruiting class, and the influx of talent led many to believe that the Tigers were destined for an exciting season in the second year under Freeze. That positivity bubble popped against Cal. The Bears' defensive front dictated the line of scrimmage, and Auburn's defense couldn't rattle sophomore quarterback Fernando Mendoza. The Tigers dropped the game and their tails are tucked. Auburn hopes to regain some momentum against a Lobo defense that surrendered 627 total yards to the Arizona Wildcats.
The Lobos are 0-2, but their offense has played well. Against superior Arizona, New Mexico racked up 471 total yards on offense. The Lobos are heavy underdogs, but quarterback Devon Dampier and Co, hope to continue to build on their offensive success and make the game closer than experts think.
Players to Watch: Auburn Tigers
This would have originally been quarterback Payton Thorne. It would have been a discussion about how he would respond after his 4-interception game against Cal. Or what Thorne could do to get the offense going early. But it seems that Freeze has altered the discussion by making a change at quarterback.
According to multiple reports, redshirt freshman Hank Brown will be under center when the Tigers take the field against the Lobos. It will be Brown's first start, but he has appeared in two games. In his minimal playing time, Brown has passed for 228 yards, 2 touchdowns and completed 10 of his 14 pass attempts. The Auburn offense has plenty of toys to play with and Tiger fans certainly hope that Brown will be the key that turns the ignition to Freeze's run-pass-option (RPO) system.
Players to Watch: New Mexico Lobos
Remember the name Devon Dampier. The sophomore quarterback leads the team in both rushing and passing. He's thrown for 432 yards and 4 touchdowns. Dampier also has rushed for 163 yards and 3 touchdowns. Auburn's defensive front spent a lot of time in Cal's backfield, but it was Mendoza's quick feet and quick thinking that allowed the Golden Bears to move up and down the field. If the Tigers fail to contain Dampier and he continues his stellar play, then the Lobos could make the game close.
What to Watch
Tiger fans are not happy campers after the letdown to Cal. They've screamed for Thorne's job all week long and have gotten their wish. It's next man up at QB and the opponent is a significant underdog. Auburn looks to get right under center before they open Southeastern Conference play against Arkansas the following week.
The Lobos don't love the 0-2 start, but there are plenty of positive hooks to hang their hats on. If the New Mexico defense can limit Auburn's offense, and Dampier can continue to play at a high level, then the Lobos could really push the Tigers.
Broadcast Information
Date: Sept. 14
Time: 7:30 p.m. EST
Where: Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, Ala.
TV: ESPN 2
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