Hank Brown threw for 235 yards and four touchdowns in his first career start, and Jarquez Hunter rushed for 152 yards to help Auburn secure a 45-19 win over New Mexico on Saturday night.
Brown, a redshirt freshman who originally committed to play for Auburn coach Hugh Freeze at Liberty, took over the starting role after Payton Thorne was intercepted four times in a loss to California. It looks like Brown will keep the starting job for now.
Brown threw three touchdowns in the second half, and Freeze commented that he had “a solid, solid first game” as a starter.
“I made the decision,” Freeze said, noting that he decided on Monday and informed the team on Thursday. “I’ve stood with Payton and still believe that he’s a good football player.”
Freeze also mentioned, “You never know if his number gets called again and he’s handled the disappointment very well.”
Auburn (2-1) had trouble pulling away from New Mexico (0-3) until the second half. New Mexico was a 24.5-point underdog, according to BetMGM.com, but was only behind 17-13 at halftime.
Before this game, Brown had completed 3 of 5 passes for 96 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. He finished 17-of-25 passing without major mistakes and will stay as the starter for the upcoming Southeastern Conference games, Freeze said.
“It’s definitely surreal,” Brown said. “It’s encouraging. I think I’ve got a lot to build on from this week and from this game. I’m excited. I love when the competition level is raised, and I think that’s when I’m at my best when we’re playing the best.”
Hunter scored a touchdown both rushing and receiving.
New Mexico’s Devon Dampier threw for 291 yards and had a touchdown pass to Caleb Medford on a fourth-and-4 early in the fourth quarter. He was intercepted twice. Ryan Davis caught six passes for 100 yards.
New Mexico’s chance for an upset largely ended when Dampier was intercepted by Antonio Kite on a fourth-and-5 pass from the Auburn 25 in the third quarter.
