The Auburn Tigers pulled off an enormous upset this weekend, beating the No. 15 Texas A&M Aggies 43-41 in a four-overtime thriller to place a success into the Aggies’ probabilities of incomes an at-large bid for the School Soccer Playoff.
Auburn shot out to a fast 21-7 begin, however the sport went back-and-forth from there after Texas A&M scored consecutive touchdowns inside a two-minute stretch, resulting in an additional time outcome.
It’s been an up-and-down season for the Tigers, who had been aggressive for a variety of video games early within the season. Nonetheless, they misplaced 4 video games inside 10 factors, dropping to a 2-5 report.
However, since then, Auburn has proven indicators of hope, successful three of their previous 4 video games, together with this weekend’s 43-41 thriller over a top-15 crew, giving the crew some momentum heading into the season finale in opposition to the Alabama Crimson Tide.
An enormous a part of the crew’s latest success has been the emergence of five-star freshman extensive receiver Cam Coleman, who has put collectively back-to-back 100-yard, two-touchdown video games up for the Tigers, creating a rapport with quarterback Payton Thorne.
Coleman, seen because the No. 3 participant within the Class of 2025 by On3, has changed into Auburn’s second-leading receiver as a freshman, totaling 30 catches for 720 yards and 7 touchdowns. He trails solely Penn State switch KeAndre Lambert-Smith atop the crew’s leaders in each receiving yards and touchdowns, establishing himself as a constant downfield menace, regardless of Auburn’s shaky quarterback play this 12 months.
Coleman’s ascension has come on the proper time for Auburn, as they’re chasing a bowl sport following their 43-41 win over Texas A&M, with the Alabama Crimson Tide standing of their method of a postseason bid.
“[It’s] actually a revenge tour,” Coleman mentioned concerning the rivalry sport. “We’re going of their place and we’re actually simply going to enter their crib and simply take over and have enjoyable whereas we’re doing it. That is going to be among the final reminiscences we make with one another so let’s go make it a memorable sport.”
Whereas operating again Jarquez Hunter has been a staple of this system over the previous 4 years, Auburn had suffered from inconsistent quarterback play to start the 12 months, as quarterback Payton Thorne was briefly benched following a four-interception outing again in Week 2.
That led to backup Hank Brown incomes a begin, the place he tossed for 4 touchdowns in Week 3, however was benched in favor of Thorne once more after a number of early interceptions in opposition to Arkansas the next week.
From there on, Thorne had his moments, however was inconsistent, going for over 250 passing yards simply as soon as and passing for greater than a landing solely as soon as as nicely till the final two weeks.
With Coleman and Lambert-Smith main the best way, Thorne had a five-touchdown effort in opposition to UL-Monroe, which was adopted up with a 300-yard efficiency in opposition to Texas A&M the place the quarterback discovered his five-star freshman twice within the endzone for touchdowns.
Coleman has 5 touchdowns within the final two video games, catching passes of 63, 15, 20, 3 and 22 yards that every one went for scores, whereas additionally including two different catches of over 20 yards over the stretch.
His elite performances have earned him some recognition, as he was named the SEC Freshman of the Week after his 100-yard and two-touchdown sport in opposition to Texas A&M. However, that hasn’t fazed him, particularly with the Alabama sport developing.
“That’s previously,” Coleman mentioned concerning the honor. “I’m attempting to look ahead. I can’t actually hold trying previously. Simply gotta hold transferring ahead every week, getting higher from my errors from final week. It’s an ideal accomplishment, however gotta hold working.”
Alabama has pulled off the rivalry victory in every of the final 4 years. If Auburn is to flip the swap, Coleman can be a significant a part of that effort, as he’ll go up in opposition to some proficient freshmen defensive backs this week, seeking to spark the upset effort.
