Auburn football player, Jackson Arnold, racks up massive yards in impressive victory over Baylor, with a total of 137 rushing yards
In an electrifying season opener, the Auburn Tigers outshone the Baylor Bears, securing a 34-17 victory.
The game began with Baylor's Connor Hawkins scoring a 36-yard field goal, giving the Bears an early 3-0 lead. However, the Tigers responded swiftly as Rayshawn Pleasant, a former Tulane defensive back and kick returner, made history with a 98-yard kickoff return touchdown, marking Auburn's longest kick return for a touchdown since 2011. This electrifying play put the Tigers ahead, 7-3.
Rayshawn Pleasant, known for his speed, vision, and ability to make big plays, continued to shine, returning another kickoff for a touchdown later in the game.
Meanwhile, Baylor's offense found its rhythm, with Caden Knighten scoring a receiving touchdown and Kobe Prentice catching another. These scores narrowed the gap, with the score standing at 17-10 in favour of the Tigers.
Quarterback Jackson Arnold, in his Auburn debut, showcased his skills, rushing for a career-high 137 yards and scoring two touchdowns. His 24-yard rushing touchdown at the end of a 12-play, 96-yard drive extended Auburn's lead to 24-10.
Baylor fought back, moving within seven points when Sawyer Robertson threw a 33-yard touchdown pass to Kobe Prentice on fourth-and-8. However, Auburn responded once more, with Damari Alston rushing for a 9-yard touchdown to increase their lead to 14 points.
The scoring continued as Alex McPherson added a 21-yard field goal to make the score 27-10, and Jeremiah Trigg caught a 4-yard scoring pass from Sawyer Robertson, making the score 31-10.
Baylor's Keaton Thomas had a stellar performance on defense, recording 15 tackles. Despite their efforts, the Bears were unable to mount a comeback, with the final score reading 34-17 in favour of the Auburn Tigers.
The Tigers' victory was a promising start to the season, showcasing the potential of their dynamic offence and resilient defence. The team will look to build on this momentum as they prepare for their next game.
