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Steven President
Nov 26 min read

Auburn’s Bowl Hopes in Jeopardy: Tigers Stumble in 17-7 Loss to Vanderbilt


Auburn football is almost out of time


Auburn is almost out of time. The Auburn Tigers faced a disappointing setback on November 2, 2024, in their home matchup against the Vanderbilt Commodores. Playing at Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn couldn’t find the momentum to overcome a determined Vanderbilt team, ultimately falling 17-7.


With this loss, Auburn drops to 3-6 on the season, making the road to bowl eligibility a formidable challenge--and so the clock is ticking while the sand runs out. Fans saw glimpses of promise from players like Payton Thorne and Jarquez Hunter, but the Tigers’ inability to convert opportunities into points proved costly. This game illuminated some persistent issues for Auburn, which they must address as they approach the season's final stretch.


Offensive Struggles Continue As Auburn's BOwl Hopes Dwindle


Auburn’s offense has faced a season-long battle with consistency, and this game was no exception. Quarterback Payton Thorne completed an impressive 20 of 29 pass attempts, racking up 239 passing yards and connecting on one touchdown pass. However, despite his accuracy and some key completions, Thorne’s efforts were insufficient to overcome Vanderbilt’s defensive scheme (Vanderbilt University Athletics, 2024).


The lack of a balanced attack also hindered Auburn’s efforts. Running back Jarquez Hunter, who was coming off a standout performance, was held to just 50 yards on 12 carries, averaging 4.2 yards per carry. This lack of explosive plays in the ground game allowed Vanderbilt’s defense to focus on limiting Thorne’s passing options and keeping Auburn from establishing rhythm on offense. Auburn as a team managed only 88 rushing yards on 29 attempts, with an average of just 3.0 yards per carry—a figure that reflects their struggles in controlling the line of scrimmage and breaking through Vanderbilt’s defensive front (Fox Sports, 2024).


Wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith emerged as a bright spot for the Tigers, leading the team with six catches for 75 yards and Auburn’s only touchdown. Yet, while Lambert-Smith displayed impressive athleticism, several other missed connections and dropped passes from Auburn’s receiving corps hindered the offense’s ability to convert key drives into points. The lack of a reliable secondary receiver to support Lambert-Smith has been a recurring issue this season, making the offense more predictable for defenses to scheme against.


Vanderbilt’s Defense Rises to the Challenge


Credit must be given to Vanderbilt’s defense for effectively neutralizing Auburn’s offense. The Commodores came into this game with a game plan that they executed well, managing to contain both Auburn’s rushing and passing efforts. Vanderbilt’s ability to prevent big plays and force Auburn into long drives meant the Tigers struggled to sustain offensive momentum (Vanderbilt University Athletics, 2024).


The Commodores applied consistent pressure on Thorne throughout the game, disrupting his timing and forcing several rushed throws. While Thorne managed to avoid interceptions, the constant pressure led to incompletions and prevented Auburn from stringing together the quick, high-tempo drives they needed. Vanderbilt’s defensive strategy of containing Hunter and pressuring Thorne paid off, as they limited the Tigers to just one score and kept them from gaining significant yardage in critical moments.


Defensive Performance: Auburn’s Mixed Results


On the other side of the ball, Auburn’s defense demonstrated resilience at times, yet struggled to stop Vanderbilt’s balanced offensive attack. Vanderbilt’s quarterback, Diego Pavia, completed 9 of 23 passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns, delivering just enough in the air to keep Auburn’s secondary on its heels. Pavia’s mobility also proved troublesome for Auburn, as he added another dimension by rushing for several critical first downs that kept Vanderbilt’s drives alive (Saturday Down South, 2024).


Auburn’s defensive front did manage to hold Vanderbilt’s ground game to 84 yards on 38 attempts, which is commendable. However, missed tackles and lapses in coverage on key downs allowed the Commodores to sustain drives and ultimately find the end zone twice through the air. The defensive performance was not without positives, as players like linebacker Owen Pappoe led Auburn’s defense with six total tackles and demonstrated strong leadership on the field. Yet, the defense’s inability to generate turnovers or make pivotal stops when needed ultimately contributed to Vanderbilt’s victory (ESPN, 2024).


Special Teams and Field Position: A Mixed Bag for Auburn


Auburn’s special teams also had an inconsistent day. Punter Oscar Chapman was effective, averaging 44.2 yards on six punts and placing three of those inside Vanderbilt’s 20-yard line. His performance helped Auburn control field position, but the offense’s inability to capitalize on these advantages rendered Chapman’s contributions largely ineffective in altering the outcome of the game.


Kicker Alex McPherson missed a critical 42-yard field goal attempt in the second half, a miss that loomed large as Vanderbilt managed to extend their lead. Special teams play often makes a subtle yet substantial difference, and in this game, the missed opportunity for points underscored the struggles Auburn faced in executing in critical situations. The inability to convert on these types of scoring opportunities highlighted Auburn’s challenges in putting together a complete game where all phases contribute positively (College Football Network, 2024).


Key Takeaways and Moving Forward


With this loss, Auburn now faces a daunting road ahead. Standing at 3-6, the Tigers must win each of their remaining three games to become bowl eligible, a feat that will demand improved execution across all facets of the game. Head Coach Hugh Freeze acknowledged the uphill battle in his post-game remarks, emphasizing the need for consistency and the ability to capitalize on every opportunity. “We’ve shown that we can compete, but our mistakes are costly. We need to find consistency and capitalize on every opportunity if we want to finish this season strong,” Freeze commented, highlighting the adjustments Auburn needs to make (Fox Sports, 2024).

Auburn’s offense needs to establish a more reliable ground game to complement Thorne’s passing ability. Hunter has demonstrated his potential, but without consistent blocking and support from the offensive line, Auburn’s running game remains underutilized.


The coaching staff may need to experiment with new play designs or adjustments to better support the running attack, which will be essential as the Tigers approach stronger defensive teams.


Defensively, Auburn must focus on improving coverage against deep threats and refining their tackling technique. Missed tackles and lapses in coverage have been persistent issues, and if not addressed, they could continue to cost the team in close games. The defensive line and linebackers have shown promise, but a more disciplined, cohesive effort is necessary for Auburn to find success in upcoming games.


Join the Auburn Community at Halftime Sports Bar


For Auburn fans who want to gather and reflect on the season, Halftime Sports Bar in Auburn, Alabama, provides the perfect setting. Known for its passionate game-day environment, Halftime offers daily specials, an extensive menu, and a space for fans to discuss the highs and lows of Auburn’s season. With the Tigers’ bowl hopes hanging by a thread, Halftime is the ideal spot for fans to support the team, whether they’re celebrating victories or regrouping after tough losses. Additionally, Halftime hosts ongoing esports tournaments, including Madden and EA Sports College Football, giving fans even more ways to engage with their love of sports. Visit HalftimeAuburn.com for details on events, game-day specials, and tournament schedules.


Final Thoughts


This season has been a challenging journey for Auburn, and the loss to Vanderbilt further emphasizes the areas that need improvement. The Tigers have shown moments of brilliance but lack the consistency required to compete at a high level in the SEC. If Auburn is to finish the season strong and keep any hope of bowl eligibility alive, they must correct their mistakes, improve their execution, and bring together a cohesive game plan in all three phases of play.

Auburn fans, ever passionate and resilient, will continue to rally behind their team as the season progresses. For the players and coaching staff, these final games are an opportunity to showcase growth, determination, and a commitment to building a stronger program moving forward.


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