The Tigers offense committed five turnovers in last week's 21-14 loss to Cal. Payton Thorne's four interceptions led to backup Hank Brown getting the start against the Lobos. Redshirt Freshman, Brown first turned heads — completing seven of nine passes for 132 yards — in limited action against Maryland last season in the Music City Bowl.

Trent Dilfer was hardly surprised when his old quarterback, Hank Brown, made a mostly pristine starting debut for Auburn, avoiding blunders even during stretches where heavy rain was falling. The former NFL quarterback feels it’s one of Brown’s greatest assets: The poise to weigh risk versus reward and avoid costly mistakes.

New Auburn Tigers starting quarterback may be a freshman, but his relationship with head coach Hugh Freeze goes back several years.