Auburn football rebounded from a prior loss to California with a decisive 45-19 victory over New Mexico, improving their season record to 2-1. In his first start, quarterback Hank Brown excelled, throwing for 235 yards and four touchdowns, while Jarquez Hunter contributed 152 rushing yards. Despite the win, head coach Hugh Freeze criticized the team's defense, which allowed 448 total yards and committed eight penalties, describing their performance as 'sloppy' and emphasizing the need for improvement ahead of their upcoming game against a stronger Arkansas team. Freeze noted that the experience gained from facing New Mexico's dual-threat quarterback would be beneficial as they prepare for tougher SEC competition. The Tigers will need to address their defensive lapses and play smarter football to sustain their success moving forward.