NASHVILLE, TN — Getting Hugh Freeze out of the picture didn’t change the result for Auburn football. It lost, 45-38, in DJ Durkin‘s debut as interim head coach on Saturday, Nov. 8, falling to No. 16 Vanderbilt in overtime.
While it ended with theatrics, the first four quarters showed good and bad. The offense was Auburn‘s highlight, looking much improved as Ashton Daniels remained at quarterback. The defense was a letdown, though, unable to maintain against the Commodores star quarterback, Diego Pavia.
Here’s the Montgomery Advertiser’s report card, assessing Auburn’s performance in the overtime loss.
Grading Auburn football offense vs. Vanderbilt: B
The Tigers offense hadn’t produced all season like it did against the Commodores. It set a season high in total yards, passing yards, had two receivers hit the century mark and saw Jeremiah Cobb reach that total on the ground. But penalties reared their head in familiar fashion, and less than half of Auburn’s drives ended in the end zone.
Grading Auburn football defense vs. Vanderbilt: D+
For just the third time, Auburn’s defense surrendered more than 400 yards. For the first time, it gave up more than 24 points, with Pavia gashing the Tigers once he found his stride. One takeaway was a big positive, but it came amid plenty of blemishes.
Grading Auburn football special teams vs. Vanderbilt: A
No problems here. Hudson Kaak looked acceptable in his few punts, and Alex McPherson continued delivering when Auburn needed him.
Grading Auburn football coaching vs. Vanderbilt: C+
The production was much different, especially for the offense, but much like Freeze’s Auburn, the Tigers didn’t maintain a sensational start. It felt like another contest where the needed adjustments lacked.
Auburn football’s final grade vs. Vanderbilt: B-
Auburn made massive strides on offense but went backward on defense. It balanced out into the same result that has plagued it all season.
Adam Cole is the Auburn athletics beat writer for the Montgomery Advertiser. He can be reached via email at acole@gannett.com or on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, @colereporter.To support Adam’s work, please subscribe to the Montgomery Advertiser.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Auburn football report card from overtime loss against Vanderbilt
