AUBURN — Auburn football benched quarterback Hank Brown after a three-interception first half during the Arkansas game Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Payton Thorne got the second half start after being benched for Brown the previous week against New Mexico. Auburn finished with 72 passing yards in the first half as it trailed 7-0 at the break.

Auburn has not been at its best on special teams, particularly punt return, to start the season. Hugh Freeze is preparing to make changes in that area.

Brown had been committed to Liberty for nearly six months prior to signing with Auburn, committing to play for Freeze in Conference USA. Recruiting and the coaching carousel are hardly ever predictable, though, and the two intertwined at the end of the 2022 season.

Auburn Tigers head coach Hugh Freeze is sticking with QB Hank Brown - but they have to keep it simple yet creative in the matchup with Arkansas

After Hank Brown completed 17 of his 25 passes for 235 yards and four TDs in a win over New Mexico, the QB is excited for the challenge to increase.

Auburn traveled to Fayetteville for last season’s matchup, putting a 48-10 beating on the Razorbacks, the peak of Auburn’s three-game winning streak. While that win was impressive at the time for Auburn, Freeze acknowledged that blowouts like that are rare in SEC play.

Auburn Tigers head coach Hugh Freeze thought highly of Hank Brown's first career college start. However, he still has a lot to prove.