Marcel Reed completed 22 of 35 (62.86%) passes for 297 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception, and he had 66 rushing yards on 21 carries. I think that is a good performance for a redshirt freshman making only his 6th career start and 3rd career road start. I think Reed will improve his accuracy.
After scoring just 7 points in the first half, we scored 24 second half points and finished with 31 points in regulation against Auburn, which is tied with Georgia for the most points scored in regulation against Auburn this season. Georgia scored 31 points with senior quarterback Carson Beck against Auburn at home. In contrast, we scored 31 points in regulation in a night road game at Auburn with redshirt freshman Marcel Reed and without our top running backs Reuben Owens and Le'Veon Moss. That's the most points scored in regulation in a road game at Auburn since Arkansas's 41-27 road win at Auburn on 10/29/2022.
Unfortunately, our defense allowed 31 points in regulation to an Auburn offense that had not scored more than 24 points in their previous 9 games against Power 4 opponents. That's the most Auburn have scored against a Power 4 opponent since a 48-10 road win at Arkansas on 11/11/2023 and the most they have scored against a Power 4 opponent at home since a 43-34 home loss to Mississippi State on 11/13/2021, in which they blew a 28-3 lead with 6:10 left in the 2nd quarter.
Our offense needs to find its rhythm early and be more consistent throughout the game against Texas. Starting slow is a recipe for disaster, especially against Texas. After trailing LSU 17-7 at halftime, we outscored LSU 31-6 in the 2nd half to crush LSU 38-23, but we can't trail by 10+ points at halftime and expect to beat Texas. We need to play well on both sides of the ball from start to finish.
