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09/13 16:22 CDT Jackson Arnold accounts for 3 TDs, No. 24 Auburn beats South
Alabama 31-15
Jackson Arnold accounts for 3 TDs, No. 24 Auburn beats South Alabama 31-15
By MARSHALL DOWNING
Associated Press
AUBURN, Ala. (AP) --- Jackson Arnold and No. 24 Auburn are undefeated after
three games. No one would like to see the Tigers get to 4-0 more than Arnold.
Arnold accounted for three touchdowns, including two rushing, and Auburn beat
South Alabama 31-15 on Saturday. His next stop is a return trip to Oklahoma,
where he spent the last two years and started 10 games in 2024.
Arnold, though, preferred to focus on returning to practice and getting ready
for the 13th-ranked Sooners.
The Tigers enjoyed a balanced attack in their "White Out" game --- all-white
uniforms at home for the first time in 15 years --- and finished with 195 yards
rushing and 142 passing.
"I was probably a bit too conservative, up two scores and trying to conserve
clock," Auburn coach Hugh Freeze said. "But I thought there were a lot of good
things offensively."
Jeremiah Cobb continued to find success in Damari Alston's absence, rushing for
119 yards and a touchdown. Cobb has a career-high four rushing touchdowns
through three games.
"Having a guy like Cobb, that I know can run and get a dirty five yards, just
gives me peace of mind," Arnold said. "In the RPO game, there isn't any
indecision at all. If I hand that ball off, I know we're going to get four or
five yards."
Cam Coleman reeled in the first touchdown of his 2025 season, opening up the
scoring for Auburn. Eric Singleton Jr. had a team-leading six receptions for 65
yards.
South Alabama's Bishop Davenport threw for 170 yards and two touchdowns but
also had an interception. The Jaguars (1-2) had success moving the football and
finished with 310 yards, but penalties, stalled drives and defensive miscues
prevented the game from being tightly contested.
"I give credit again to South Alabama, but we've certainly got to fit the run
better," Freeze said. "There's no question that we could play better than we
did today. I'm not sure anyone would say that we played to the standard we need
to win games in the following weeks."
Poll implications Auburn found itself ranked in the latest AP Top 25 college football poll for the first time in the Freeze era. With this victory, the Tigers could move up.
Key injuries Auburn defensive end Amaris Williams separated a shoulder. Auburn cornerback Jay Crawford sustained a knee-to-knee injury. Auburn's Singleton suffered a hip pointer in the second half.
The takeaway South Alabama: Coming off back-to-back losses, the Jaguars will have an opportunity to get back on track in Sun Belt Conference play. Auburn: The Tigers, ranked for the first time since 2021, are playing their best football in years but will see a steep increase in competition as they take on four consecutive ranked teams. "The goal was to be 1-0 today and 3-0 heading into conference play," Freeze said. "Our team achieved that."
Up next South Alabama: The Jaguars return home to Hancock Whitney Stadium next Saturday to take on Coastal Carolina. Auburn: The Tigers open SEC play at No. 13 Oklahoma next Saturday, with Arnold facing his former team. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
Poll implications Auburn found itself ranked in the latest AP Top 25 college football poll for the first time in the Freeze era. With this victory, the Tigers could move up.
Key injuries Auburn defensive end Amaris Williams separated a shoulder. Auburn cornerback Jay Crawford sustained a knee-to-knee injury. Auburn's Singleton suffered a hip pointer in the second half.
The takeaway South Alabama: Coming off back-to-back losses, the Jaguars will have an opportunity to get back on track in Sun Belt Conference play. Auburn: The Tigers, ranked for the first time since 2021, are playing their best football in years but will see a steep increase in competition as they take on four consecutive ranked teams. "The goal was to be 1-0 today and 3-0 heading into conference play," Freeze said. "Our team achieved that."
Up next South Alabama: The Jaguars return home to Hancock Whitney Stadium next Saturday to take on Coastal Carolina. Auburn: The Tigers open SEC play at No. 13 Oklahoma next Saturday, with Arnold facing his former team. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
