2023 Auburn Tigers football team

2023 Auburn Tigers football
2023 Auburn Tigers football
Music City Bowl, L 13–31 vs. Maryland
Conference	Southeastern Conference
	West Division
Record	6–7 (3–5 SEC)
Head coach	Hugh Freeze (1st season);
Offensive coordinator	Philip Montgomery (1st season)
Offensive scheme	Veer and shoot
Defensive coordinator	Ron Roberts (1st season)
Base defense	Multiple
Home stadium	Jordan–Hare Stadium
	Seasons ← 2022 2024 →

2023 Southeastern Conference football standings
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
East Division
No. 4 Georgia xy	8	–	0	13	–	1
No. 8 Missouri	6	–	2	11	–	2
No. 17 Tennessee	4	–	4	9	–	4
Kentucky	3	–	5	7	–	6
Florida	3	–	5	5	–	7
South Carolina	3	–	5	5	–	7
Vanderbilt	0	–	8	2	–	10
West Division
No. 5 Alabama xy$^	8	–	0	12	–	2
No. 9 Ole Miss	6	–	2	11	–	2
No. 12 LSU	6	–	2	10	–	3
Texas A&M	4	–	4	7	–	6
Auburn	3	–	5	6	–	7
Mississippi State	1	–	7	5	–	7
Arkansas	1	–	7	4	–	8
Championship: Alabama 27, Georgia 24
^ – College Football Playoff participant $ – Conference champion x – Division champion/co-champions y – Championship game participant Rankings from AP Poll

The 2023 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University in the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tigers were led by first-year head coach Hugh Freeze,^[1] and competed as members of the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). They played their home games at Jordan–Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama.

Offseason[edit]

2023 NFL draft[edit]

Transfers[edit]

Outgoing

Name	Number	Pos.	Height	Weight	Year	Hometown	Transfer to
Armani Diamons	#10	CB	5'11	170	Freshman	Mobile, AL	UAB
Ze'Vian Capers	#80	WR	6'4	195	Junior	Alpharetta, GA	Western Kentucky
J.J. Evans	#81	WR	6'2	224	Sophomore	Montevallo, AL	North Alabama
Zach Calzada	#10	QB	6'4	208	Junior	Sugar Hill, GA	Incarnate Word
Keiondre Jones	#58	IOL	6'4	340	Junior	LaGrange, GA	Florida State
Dazalin Worsham	#8	WR	6'1	177	Sophomore	Birmingham, AL	UAB
Joko Willis	#33	LB	6'3	212	Sophomore	LaGrange, GA	Nebraska-Kearney
Jordon Ingram	#24	RB	6'1	209	Sophomore	Mobile, AL	Troy
Tar'Varish Dawson	#3	WR	5'11	165	Sophomore	Fort Myers, FL	Colorado
Jeffrey M'Ba	#5	DL	6'6	313	Junior	Libreville, Gabon	Purdue
Desmond Tisdol	#30	LB	6'0	215	Senior	Rochelle, GA	Florida Atlantic
Craig McDonald	#24	S	6'2	190	Freshman	Minneapolis, MN	Minnesota
Tobechi Okoli	#58	DL	6'5	255	Sophomore	Kansas City, MO	Iowa State
Dylan Brooks	#39	DL	6'5	250	Freshman	Roanoke, AL	Kansas
Landen King	#14	WR	6'5	220	Sophomore	Humble, TX	Utah
Colby Smith	#69	IOL	6'7	318	Sophomore	Reidsville, NC	Troy
T.J. Finley	#1	QB	6'6	250	Junior	Ponchatoula, LA	Texas State

Incoming

Name	Number	Pos.	Height	Weight	Year	Hometown	Prev. school
Gunner Britton	#53	OL	6'6	305	Senior	Conway, SC	Western Kentucky
Avery Jones	#66	OL	6'4	288	Senior	Havelock, NC	ECU
Rivaldo Fairweather	#13	TE	6'5	245	Junior	Lauderhill, FL	FIU
Nick Mardner	#8	WR	6'6	215	Senior	Mississauga, Ontario	Cincinnati
Elijah McAllister	#11	DL	6'6	265	Junior	Rumson, NJ	Vanderbilt
Dillon Wade	#52	OL	6'4	290	Junior	Houston, TX	Tulsa
Lawrence Johnson	#92	DL	6'3	310	Senior	Fort Wayne, IN	Purdue
Mosiah Nasili-Kite	#33	DL	6'2	310	Senior	Pittsburgh, CA	Maryland
Justin Rogers	#52	DL	6'3	333	Senior	Detroit, Michigan	Kentucky
DeMario Tolan		LB	6'2	222	Sophomore	Orlando, FL	LSU
Austin Keys	#12	LB	6'2	245	Junior	Collins, MS	Ole Miss
Brian Battie	#21	RB	5'8	165	Senior	Sarasota, FL	USF
Jaden Muskrat	#63	OL	6'4	275	Sophomore	Centerton, AR	Tulsa
Caleb Burton III	#10	WR	5'10	155	Freshman	Del Valle, TX	Ohio State
Jalen McLeod	#35	LB	6'2	220	Sophomore	Washington D.C.	App State
Payton Thorne	#1	QB	6'2	187	Junior	Naperville, IL	Michigan State
Jyaire Shorter	#14	TE	6'2	215	Senior	Killeen, TX	North Texas
Larry Nixon III	#30	LB	6'2	205	Senior	North Richland Hills, TX	North Texas
Stephen Sings V	#18	EDGE	6'3	225	Junior	Charlotte, NC	Liberty
Shane Hooks	#11	WR	6'5	190	Senior	Orlando, FL	Jackson State

Personnel[edit]

Coaching staff[edit]

Auburn Tigers coaches

Hugh Freeze	Head coach	1st
Carnell "Cadillac" Williams	Associate head coach/ Running backs	5th
Philip Montgomery	Offensive coordinator	1st
Ron Roberts	Defensive coordinator	1st
Ben Aigamaua	Tight ends coach	1st
Josh Aldridge	Linebackers coach	1st
Marcus Davis	Wide receivers coach	1st
Zac Etheridge	Secondary coach/ Safeties	3rd
Jeremy Garrett	Defensive line coach	1st
Wesley McGriff	Secondary coach/ Cornerbacks	1st
Jake Thornton	Offensive line coach	1st
Reference:^[2]

Schedule[edit]

Auburn and the SEC announced the 2023 football schedule on September 20, 2022.^[3]^[4] The 2023 Tigers' schedule consists of 7 home games and 5 away games for the regular season. Auburn will host four SEC conference opponents: Alabama (Iron Bowl), Georgia (Deep South's Oldest Rivalry), Mississippi State and Ole Miss (rivalry). The Tigers will travel to four SEC opponents: Arkansas, LSU (rivalry), Texas A&M and Vanderbilt. The Tigers' bye week comes during week 6 (on October 7, 2023).

Auburn out of conference opponents represented the CUSA, Pac-12, and SoCon conferences and one FBS independent school. The Tigers hosted three of the four non–conference games, against New Mexico State from CUSA, UMass, and Samford. The Tigers traveled to California from the Pac-12.

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 2	2:30 p.m.	UMass*	Jordan-Hare Stadium Auburn, AL	ESPN	W 59–14	88,043
September 9	9:30 p.m.	at California*	California Memorial Stadium Berkeley, CA	ESPN	W 14–10	44,141
September 16	6:00 p.m.	No. 18 (FCS) Samford*	Jordan-Hare Stadium Auburn, AL	ESPN+/SECN+	W 45–13	88,043
September 23	11:00 a.m.	at Texas A&M	Kyle Field College Station, TX (SEC Nation)	ESPN	L 10–27	102,530
September 30	2:30 p.m.	No. 1 Georgia	Jordan-Hare Stadium Auburn, AL (Deep South's Oldest Rivalry)	CBS	L 20–27	88,043
October 14	6:00 p.m.	at No. 22 LSU	Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA (rivalry)	ESPN	L 18–48	102,321
October 21	6:00 p.m.	No. 13 Ole Miss	Jordan-Hare Stadium Auburn, AL (rivalry)	ESPN	L 21–28	88,043
October 28	2:30 p.m.	Mississippi State	Jordan-Hare Stadium Auburn, AL	SECN	W 30–13	88,043
November 4	3:00 p.m.	at Vanderbilt	FirstBank Stadium Nashville, TN	SECN	W 31–15	28,500
November 11	3:00 p.m.	at Arkansas	Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium Fayetteville, AR	SECN	W 48–10	72,033
November 18	3:00 p.m.	New Mexico State*	Jordan-Hare Stadium Auburn, AL	SECN	L 10–31	88,043
November 25	2:30 p.m.	No. 8 Alabama	Jordan-Hare Stadium Auburn, AL (Iron Bowl, SEC Nation)	CBS	L 24–27	88,043
December 30	1:00 p.m.	vs. Maryland*	Nissan Stadium Nashville, TN (Music City Bowl)	ABC	L 13–31	50,088
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll (and CFP Rankings, after November 1) – Released prior to game All times are in Central time

^[5] ^[6]

Game summaries[edit]

UMass[edit]

Game One – UMass Minutemen (1–0) at Auburn Tigers (0–0)

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Minutemen	7	0	0	7	14
Tigers	10	21	21	7	59

at Jordan–Hare Stadium • Auburn, Alabama

Date: Saturday, September 2, 2023
Game time: 2:35 p.m. CDT
Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 83 °F (28 °C) • Wind: E 8 mph
Game attendance: 88,043
Referee: Lee Hedrick
TV announcers (ESPN): Beth Mowins (play-by-play), Kirk Morrison (analyst), Stormy Buonantony (sideline reporter)

Statistics	MASS	AUB
First downs	11	27
Plays–yards	51–301	69–492
Rushes–yards	27–140	44–289
Passing yards	161	203
Passing: comp–att–int	14–24–1	14–25–0
Time of possession	28:25	28:20

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
UMass	Passing	Taisun Phommachanh	8/16, 55 yds, INT
	Rushing	Kay'ron Adams	14 rushes, 101 yds
	Receiving	Anthony Simpson	4 receptions, 89 yds, TD
Auburn	Passing	Payton Thorne	10/17, 141 yds, TD
	Rushing	Sean Jackson	5 rushes, 64 yds, TD
	Receiving	Jay Fair	5 receptions, 56 yds, TD

California[edit]

Game Two – Auburn Tigers (1–0) at California Golden Bears (1–0)

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Tigers	0	7	0	7	14
Golden Bears	3	7	0	0	10

at California Memorial Stadium • Berkeley, California

Date: Saturday, September 9, 2023
Game time: 9:40 p.m. CDT
Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 66 °F (19 °C) • Wind: NE 8 mph
Game attendance: 44,141
Referee: Daniel Gautreaux
TV announcers (ESPN): Dave Flemming (play-by-play), Brock Osweiler (analyst), Kayla Burton (sideline reporter)

Statistics	AUB	CAL
First downs	12	19
Plays–yards	55–230	78–273
Rushes–yards	38–136	40–113
Passing yards	94	160
Passing: comp–att–int	10–17–1	21–38–2
Time of possession	25:12	34:48

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Auburn	Passing	Payton Thorne	9/14, 94 yds, 2 TD, INT
	Rushing	Jarquez Hunter	11 carries, 53 yds
	Receiving	Rivaldo Fairweather	3 receptions, 39 yds, TD
California	Passing	Sam Jackson V	14/27, 126 yds, 2 INT
	Rushing	Jaydn Ott	20 carries, 78 yds, TD
	Receiving	Jeremiah Hunter	5 receptions, 35 yds

No. 18 (FCS) Samford[edit]

Game Three – No. 18 (FCS) Samford Bulldogs (1–1) at Auburn Tigers (2–0)

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 18 (FCS) Bulldogs	0	0	13	0	13
Tigers	0	17	14	14	45

at Jordan–Hare Stadium • Auburn, Alabama

Date: Saturday, September 16, 2023
Game time: 6:02 p.m. CDT
Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 76 °F (24 °C)
Game attendance: 88,043
Referee: David Smith
TV announcers (ESPN+/SEC Network+): Clay Matvick (play-by-play), Aaron Murray (analyst)

Statistics	SAM	AUB
First downs	12	26
Plays–yards	61–218	79–562
Rushes–yards	28–74	43–222
Passing yards	144	340
Passing: comp–att–int	19–33–2	27–36–2
Time of possession	26:32	33:28

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Samford	Passing	Michael Hiers	18/31, 141 yds, TD, 2 INT
	Rushing	Damonta Witherspoon	5 carries, 30 yds
	Receiving	Ty King	5 receptions, 24 yds
Auburn	Passing	Payton Thorne	24/32, 282 yds, TD, 2 INT
	Rushing	Payton Thorne	11 carries, 123 yds, 2 TD
	Receiving	Jay Fair	7 receptions, 93 yds

Texas A&M[edit]

Game Four – Auburn Tigers (3–0) at Texas A&M Aggies (2–1)

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Tigers	0	3	0	7	10
Aggies	6	0	14	7	27

at Kyle Field • College Station, Texas

Date: Saturday, September 23, 2023
Game time: 11:07 a.m. CDT
Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 86 °F (30 °C) • Wind: S 13 mph
Game attendance: 102,530
Referee: Kyle Olson
TV announcers (ESPN): Bob Wischusen (play-by-play), Robert Griffin III (analyst), Kris Budden (sideline reporter)

Statistics	AUB	TXAM
First downs	14	16
Total yards	64–200	58–402
Rushing yards	41–144	33–209
Passing yards	56	193
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	9–23–0	15–25–0
Time of possession	32:10	27:50

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Auburn	Passing	Payton Thorne	6/12, 44 yards
	Rushing	Brian Battie	8 carries, 59 yards
	Receiving	Brian Battie	2 receptions, 23 yards
Texas A&M	Passing	Max Johnson	7/11, 123 yards, 2 TD
	Rushing	Le'Veon Moss	15 carries, 97 yards, TD
	Receiving	Ainias Smith	5 receptions, 78 yards

No. 1 Georgia[edit]

Game Five – No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs (4–0) at Auburn Tigers (3–1)

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 1 Bulldogs	0	10	7	10	27
Tigers	10	0	7	3	20

at Jordan-Hare Stadium • Auburn, Alabama

Date: Saturday, September 30, 2023
Game time: 2:39 p.m. CDT
Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 86 °F (30 °C) • Wind: E 6 mph
Game attendance: 88,043
Referee: Jason Autrey
TV announcers (CBS): Brad Nessler (play-by-play), Gary Danielson (analyst) and Jenny Dell (sideline reporter)

Statistics	UGA	AUB
First downs	19	17
Total yards	63–420	63–307
Rushing yards	30–107	43–219
Passing yards	313	88
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	23–33–1	11–20–1
Time of possession	29:51	30:09

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Georgia	Passing	Carson Beck	23/33, 313 yards, TD, INT
	Rushing	Daijun Edwards	19 carries, 76 yards, 2 TD
	Receiving	Brock Bowers	8 receptions, 157 yards, TD
Auburn	Passing	Payton Thorne	10/19, 82 yards, INT
	Rushing	Payton Thorne	12 carries, 92 yards
	Receiving	Rivaldo Fairweather	4 receptions, 44 yards

No. 22 LSU[edit]

Game Six – Auburn Tigers (3–2) at No. 22 LSU Tigers (4–2)

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Auburn Tigers	0	7	3	8	18
No. 22 LSU Tigers	17	3	14	14	48

at Tiger Stadium • Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Date: Saturday, October 14, 2023
Game time: 6:10 p.m. CDT
Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 75 °F (24 °C) • Wind: NW 9 mph
Game attendance: 102,321
Referee: Kyle Olson
TV announcers (ESPN): Joe Tessitore (play-by-play), Jesse Palmer (analyst), Katie George (sideline reporter)

Statistics	AUB	LSU
First downs	18	25
Plays–yards	61–293	66–563
Rushes–yards	34–139	39–238
Passing yards	154	325
Passing: comp–att–int	15–27–0	20–27–1
Time of possession	25:47	34:13

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Auburn	Passing	Payton Thorne	12/23, 102 yards
	Rushing	Jeremiah Cobb	10 carries, 69 yards
	Receiving	Brandon Frazier	3 receptions, 52 yards, TD
LSU	Passing	Jayden Daniels	20/27, 325 yards, 3 TD, INT
	Rushing	Logan Diggs	18 carries, 97 yards, TD
	Receiving	Malik Nabers	6 receptions, 89 yards, TD

No. 13 Ole Miss[edit]

Game Seven – No. 13 Ole Miss Rebels (5–1) at Auburn Tigers (3–3)

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 13 Rebels	14	0	7	7	28
Tigers	7	7	0	7	21

at Jordan–Hare Stadium • Auburn, Alabama

Date: Saturday, October 21, 2023
Game time: 6:10 p.m. CDT
Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 68 °F (20 °C) • Wind: SW 5 mph
Game attendance: 88,043
Referee: Lee Hedrick
TV announcers (ESPN): Joe Tessitore (play-by-play), Jesse Palmer (analyst), Katie George (sideline reporter)

Statistics	MISS	AUB
First downs	20	10
Plays–yards	74–425	56–275
Rushes–yards	56–223	39–153
Passing yards	202	122
Passing: comp–att–int	10–18–2	12–17–2
Time of possession	34:14	25:46

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Ole Miss	Passing	Jaxson Dart	10/17, 202 yards, TD, INT
	Rushing	Quinshon Judkins	21 carries, 124 yards, TD
	Receiving	Tre Harris	4 receptions, 102 yards
Auburn	Passing	Payton Thorne	9/13, 100 yards, TD, INT
	Rushing	Jarquez Hunter	15 carries, 91 yards, 2 TD
	Receiving	Rivaldo Fairweather	5 receptions, 31 yards, TD

Mississippi State[edit]

Game Eight – Mississippi State Bulldogs (4–3) at Auburn Tigers (3–4)

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Mississippi State	3	0	3	7	13
Auburn	14	10	3	0	27

at Jordan–Hare Stadium • Auburn, Alabama

Date: Saturday, October 28, 2023
Game time: 2:35 p.m. CDT
Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 80 °F (27 °C) • Wind: SE 5 mph
Game attendance: 88,043
Referee: Daniel Gautreaux
TV announcers (SEC Network): Dave Neal (play-by-play), Derek Mason (analyst), Taylor Davis (sideline reporter)

Statistics	MSST	AUB
First downs	19	21
Plays–yards	67–345	62–416
Rushes–yards	35–184	36–186
Passing yards	161	230
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	16–32–1	20–26–0
Time of possession	30:44	29:16

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Mississippi State	Passing	Mike Wright	16/32, 161 yards, TD, INT
	Rushing	Mike Wright	14 carries, 63 yards
	Receiving	Zavion Thomas	9 receptions, 112 yards, TD
Auburn	Passing	Payton Thorne	20/26, 230 yards, 3 TD
	Rushing	Jarquez Hunter	17 carries, 144 yards
	Receiving	Rivaldo Fairweather	4 receptions, 31 yards

Vanderbilt[edit]

Game Nine – Auburn Tigers (4–4) at Vanderbilt Commodores (2–7)

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Auburn	14	3	14	0	31
Vanderbilt	0	7	8	0	15

at FirstBank Stadium • Nashville, Tennessee

Date: Saturday, November 4, 2023
Game time: 3:01 p.m. CDT
Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 72 °F (22 °C) • Wind: SW 5 mph
Game attendance: 28,500
Referee: Matt Loeffler
TV announcers (SEC Network): Taylor Zarzour (play-by-play), Aaron Murray (analyst), Taylor Davis (sideline reporter)

Statistics	AUB	VAN
First downs	14	12
Plays–yards	64–424	62–266
Rushes–yards	37–230	30–100
Passing yards	194	166
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	17–27–1	17–32–1
Time of possession	26:39	33:21

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Auburn	Passing	Payton Thorne	17/27, 194 yards, 2 TD, INT
	Rushing	Jarquez Hunter	19 carries, 183 yards, 2 TD
	Receiving	Ja'Varrius Johnson	3 receptions, 62 yards
Vanderbilt	Passing	Ken Seals	16/29, 160 yards, TD, INT
	Rushing	Sedrick Alexander	9 carries, 40 yards
	Receiving	Will Sheppard	4 receptions, 43 yards

Arkansas[edit]

Game Ten – Auburn Tigers (5–4) at Arkansas Razorbacks (3–6)

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Tigers	21	6	21	0	48
Razorbacks	3	0	0	7	10

at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium • Fayetteville, Arkansas

Date: Saturday, November 11, 2023
Game time: 3:01 p.m. CST
Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 61 °F (16 °C) • Wind: SE 6 mph
Game attendance: 72,033
Referee: Scott Walker
TV announcers (SEC Network): Dave Neal (play-by-play), Derek Mason (analyst), Alex Chappell (sideline reporter)

Statistics	AUB	ARK
First downs	32	10
Plays–yards	76–517	52–255
Rushes–yards	55–354	32–120
Passing yards	163	135
Passing: comp–att–int	12–21–2	12–20–0
Time of possession	38:15	21:45

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Auburn	Passing	Payton Thorne	12/20, 163 yards, 3 TD, INT
	Rushing	Jarquez Hunter	16 carries, 109 yards
	Receiving	Ja'Varrius Johnson	3 receptions, 53 yards, TD
Arkansas	Passing	KJ Jefferson	10/16, 116 yards
	Rushing	Jacolby Criswell	6 carries, 64 yards
	Receiving	Isaac TeSlaa	3 receptions, 32 yards, TD

New Mexico State[edit]

Game Eleven – New Mexico State Aggies (8–3) at Auburn Tigers (6–4)

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Aggies	7	3	7	14	31
Tigers	0	7	0	3	10

at Jordan–Hare Stadium • Auburn, Alabama

Date: Saturday, November 18, 2023
Game time: 3:01 p.m. CST
Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 71 °F (22 °C) • Wind: NW 8 mph
Game attendance: 88,043
Referee: Ken Williamson
TV announcers (SEC Network): Dave Neal (play-by-play), Derek Mason (analyst), Taylor Davis (sideline reporter)

Statistics	NMSU	AUB
First downs	22	11
Plays–yards	65–414	45–213
Rushes–yards	37–213	26–65
Passing yards	201	148
Passing: comp–att–int	19–28–0	15–19–0
Time of possession	38:50	21:10

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
New Mexico State	Passing	Diego Pavia	19/28, 201 yards, 3 TD
	Rushing	Star Thomas	7 carries, 67 yards
	Receiving	Kordell David	4 receptions, 55 yards, TD
Auburn	Passing	Payton Thorne	15/19, 148 yards, TD
	Rushing	Payton Thorne	17 carries, 38 yards
	Receiving	Caleb Burton	4 receptions, 33 yards

Alabama[edit]

Game Twelve – No. 8 Alabama Crimson Tide (10–1) at Auburn Tigers (6–5)

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 8 Crimson Tide	7	10	3	7	27
Tigers	7	7	7	3	24

at Jordan–Hare Stadium • Auburn, Alabama

Date: Saturday, November 25, 2023
Game time: 2:39 p.m. CST
Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 64 °F (18 °C) • Wind: SE 8 mph
Game attendance: 88,043
Referee: Jason Autrey
TV announcers (CBS): Brad Nessler (play-by-play), Gary Danielson (analyst), Jenny Dell (sideline reporter)

Statistics	ALA	AUB
First downs	21	18
Plays–yards	68–451	59–337
Rushes–yards	44–192	42–244
Passing yards	259	93
Passing: comp–att–int	16–24–0	6–17–2
Time of possession	32:43	27:17

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Alabama	Passing	Jalen Milroe	16/24, 259 yards, 2 TD
	Rushing	Jalen Milroe	18 carries, 107 yards
	Receiving	Jermaine Burton	4 receptions, 107 yards, TD
Auburn	Passing	Payton Thorne	5/16, 91 yards, TD, 2 INT
	Rushing	Jarquez Hunter	14 carries, 93 yards
	Receiving	Ja'varrius Johnson	4 receptions, 76 yards, TD

Maryland[edit]

Music City Bowl – Auburn Tigers (6–6) vs. Maryland Terrapins (7–5)

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Tigers	0	7	0	6	13
Terrapins	21	3	7	0	31

at Nissan Stadium • Nashville, Tennessee

Date: Saturday, December 30, 2023
Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 40 °F (4 °C) • Wind: 9 mph (14 km/h) SW
Game attendance: 50,088
Referee: David Alvarez
TV announcers (ABC): Taylor Zarzour (play-by-play), Matt Stinchcomb (analyst), Alyssa Lang (sideline reporter)
Box score

Game information

First quarter

(13:11) MD – Billy Edwards Jr. 2 yard run, Jack Howes kick (Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 1:49; Maryland 7–0)
(5:58) MD – Preston Howard 5 yard pass from Billy Edwards Jr., Jack Howes kick (Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 5:26; Maryland 14–0)
(3:24) MD – Dylan Wade 3 yard pass from Cameron Edge, Jack Howes kick (Drive: 3 plays, 76 yards, 1:26; Maryland 21–0)

Second quarter

(2:34) AUB – Brandon Frazier 3-yard pass from Payton Thorne, Alex McPherson kick (Drive: 14 plays, 80 yards, 4:56; Maryland 21–7)
(0:08) MD – Jack Howes 49 yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 38 yards, 2:26; Maryland 24–7)

Third quarter

(11:05) MD – Glendon Miller 44 yard interception return, Jack Howes kick (Drive: 4 plays, 10 yards, 1:28; Maryland 31–7)

Fourth quarter

(6:53) AUB – Jeremiah Cobb 1 yard run, two-point pass conversion failed (Drive: 3 plays, 66 yards, 0:58; Maryland 31–13)

Statistics	AUB	UMD
First downs	20	15
Plays–yards	77–300	59–310
Rushes–yards	35–76	32–102
Passing yards	224	208
Passing: comp–att–int	21–42–2	10–26–1
Time of possession	31:52	28:08

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Auburn	Passing	Hank Brown	7/9, 132 YDS
	Rushing	Jarquez Hunter	13 Car, 44 YDS
	Receiving	Caleb Burton III	5 Rec, 78 YDS
Maryland	Passing	Billy Edwards Jr.	6/20, 126 YDS, 1 TD
	Rushing	Billy Edwards Jr.	13 Car, 50 YDS, 1 TD
	Receiving	Roman Hemby	1 Rec, 61 YDS

Rankings[edit]

Ranking movements
**Legend:** ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
	Week
Poll	Pre	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	Final
AP	RV	RV	—	RV	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Coaches	RV	RV	—	RV	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
CFP	Not released									—	—					Not released

References[edit]

^ "Hugh Freeze named head football coach at Auburn". Auburn Tigers. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
^ "Football Coaches". Auburn University Athletics. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
^ Sallee, Barrett (September 20, 2022). "2023 SEC football schedule by team..." CBSSports.com. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
^ Green, Tom (September 20, 2022). "2023 Auburn football schedule released". The Birmingham News. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
^ "2023 Auburn Tigers Football Schedule". FB Schedules.com. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
^ "2023 Auburn Tigers Football Schedule". Retrieved May 16, 2023.

[1] "Hugh Freeze named head football coach at Auburn". Auburn Tigers. Retrieved December 22, 2022.

[2] "Football Coaches". Auburn University Athletics. Retrieved January 30, 2023.

[3] Sallee, Barrett (September 20, 2022). "2023 SEC football schedule by team..." CBSSports.com. Retrieved February 18, 2023.

[4] Green, Tom (September 20, 2022). "2023 Auburn football schedule released". The Birmingham News. Retrieved February 18, 2023.

[5] "2023 Auburn Tigers Football Schedule". FB Schedules.com. Retrieved February 18, 2023.

[6] "2023 Auburn Tigers Football Schedule". Retrieved May 16, 2023.

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v t e Auburn Tigers football
Venues	Drill Field (1892–1910) Drake Field (1911–1939) Legion Field (alternate, 1926–1991) Jordan-Hare Stadium (1939–present)
Bowls & rivalries	Bowl games Alabama: Iron Bowl (James E. Foy, V-ODK Sportsmanship Trophy) Clemson Florida Georgia: Deep South's Oldest Rivalry Georgia Tech LSU Ole Miss Tennessee Tulane
Culture & lore	History Traditions Aubie "War Eagle" Marching band Toomer's Corner Punt Bama Punt Bo Over the Top Earthquake Game Prayer at Jordan-Hare Kick Six (Kick Bama Kick) Porter Cup
People	Head coaches Starting quarterbacks Statistical leaders NFL draftees
Seasons	1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
National championship seasons in bold