Halftime Takeaways: Auburn up big on Mississippi State at the break

The Tigers' passing game is on a new level against the Bulldogs.

The Auburn Tigers are desperately seeking their first SEC win for the 2023 season. Coming off a 4-game losing streak do the Tigers have the tools and what it takes to turn things around.

The remaining portion of their season is filled with games against marginally less competitive teams. Will the Tigers be able to capitalize on this?

As the Tigers head into halftime here are a few points on the first half of play against the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

- The Bulldogs won the coin toss and elected to defer so the Auburn Tigers will have the opening drive to begin the contest.

- Payton Thorne walks out for the starting drive under center and begins the drive with an inside hand off to Jarquez Hunter for an 8-yard run.

- Thorne completes his first pass of the game to Caleb Burton III, yet he immediately overthrew on the second play to Malcom Johnson Jr. Still showing to be inconsistent in the passing game.

- First penalty of the game is charged to Auburn with a false start on 3rd down. But the Bulldogs immediately returned the yards with their own penalty for a neutral zone violation.

- Thorne is tossing the rock much more in this first drive to the tune of an Auburn touchdown on the first drive with a 27-yard pass to Shane Hooks.

- The Auburn have struck first on the opening drive going up 7-0 against the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

- Mike Wright steps under center to begin the Bulldogs opening drive. He was able to catch a deficiency in the Auburn secondary for a 32-yard pickup.

- Austin Keys is on the field at linebacker after a lengthy stint absent with a thumb injury. Can he be a difference maker for the Tigers on defense.

- The Bulldogs convert on 4th and 1 with a designed QB run. Can the Tigers keep them from putting points on the board this drive?

- The Tigers defense has held the Bulldogs to a field goal on their opening drive bringing the score to 7-3 Auburn.

- Thorne is back under center to begin the second drive. He is able to put together a quick first down after two plays.

- The reads look to be much simpler for Thorne with some one look reads and quick passes.

- Thorne opens it up with a moon shot to Ja’Varrius Johnson for a beautiful touchdown pass to cap off the second drive.

- Auburn leads Mississippi State 14-3.

- Despite a few gifts given to the Bulldogs in the form of a penalty by the Auburn defense, the tigers were able to hold them to a punt on their second drive.

- Auburn begins the third drive with Robby Ashford under center with the Tigers pushed back in deep field position after the punt.

- Thorne is quickly back under center to command the offense as the Tigers head into the 2nd quarter of play.

- The Tigers lead the Bulldogs 14-3 to begin the second quarter.

- We have frequently seen the Tigers defense step up to the plate, however the offense has definitely come to play for this matchup against the Bulldogs.

- Hunter is making waves showing why he is RB1 with some explosive plays and some successful runs to carry on the third drive.

- Damari Alston steps into the game to receive a quick pass from Thorne, yet this is not enough to extend the play as the Bulldogs force the Tigers to punt away for the first time this matchup.

- Auburn has buried the Bulldogs deep with the punt by Oscar Chapman beginning their third drive on the 3-yard line.

- Wright makes a successful scramble and should have been spied by the linebacker unit. He is able to gain 13-yards to get the Bulldogs out of danger.

- The Tigers defense have laid it all out on the table once again forcing the Bulldogs to punt once more.

- Thorne makes a dangerous throw into triple coverage that was saved by a penalty committed by Mississippi State.

- Alston looks great following the injury taking some considerable contact as he follows a line laid out by freshman Connor Lew.

- The play calling is looking much more cohesive this matchup with some great balance between the passing and running game.

- Alex McPherson steps up and nails a field goal putting the Tigers up by 14-points as they lead the Bulldogs 17-3 halfway through the second quarter.

- It is important to note that the Tigers offense has been putting up some significant yards this game doubling their season average just in the first half alone.

- The Auburn secondary is giving the Bulldogs fits with solid one-on-one performances. Winning the majority of their matchups on the field so far.

- The Tigers suffer their worse drive of the game late in the second quarter being forced to a 3 and out, however Chapman punts away a great one to set the bulldogs at the 50-yard line.

The Auburn Tigers have come to play this afternoon, playing as if they have something to prove to the college football world. They are looking like a completely different unit on offense performing much more efficiently and moving the ball much more effectively.

Can the Tigers remain on this pathway to lead themselves to their first SEC victory of the 2023 season. The Auburn Tigers lead the Mississippi State Bulldogs going into halftime up 24-3.  

Recruiting pages to bookmark

2024 Auburn Tigers Commitment List and Evaluations

2025 Auburn Tigers Commitment List and Evaluations

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