When the Auburn Tigers play the Oklahoma Sooners, a familiar face will be back under center. The Tigers announced on Friday that Payton Thorne will resume his duties as the team’s starting quarterback.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported the news on Auburn’s quarterback change.
“Payton Thorne is set to start for Auburn against Oklahoma on Saturday,” Thamel wrote on X. “His experience playing so many defenses over the years have him prepared him for Oklahoma’s stout defense,” he added.
Source: Payton Thorne is set to start for Auburn against Oklahoma on Saturday. His experience playing so many defenses over the years have him prepared him for Oklahoma’s stout defense. Both Thorne and Hank Brown had solid weeks of practice. pic.twitter.com/uS7wLG39hL
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 27, 2024
Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze benched Thorne earlier this season in favor of Hank Brown. But following Brown’s dispiriting performance against the Arkansas Razorbacks, Freeze and the team are going back in their original direction. The veteran Thorne had transferred to Auburn after spending several seasons up north at Michigan State.
The Tigers have defeated New Mexico and Alabama A&M this season but lost to the California Golden Bears and the aforementioned Razorbacks in their SEC opener.
Auburn has dealt with quarterback issues al season long, leading to their begrudging 2-2 record on the season thus far. This weekend, we’ll see if they can get on the right track with Thorne back under center. The Tigers and Sooners meet at 3:30 p.m. Eastern on Saturday.
