Auburn Tigers head coach Hugh Freeze has benched starting quarterback Payton Thorne in favor of redshirt freshman Hank Brown following Thorne's disappointing performance, which included four interceptions in a loss to California. The decision comes after a week of speculation fueled by the Tigers' athletic director, John Cohen, who indicated that tough personnel choices were necessary for the team's improvement. Brown, who has limited collegiate experience but showed promise in previous games, will make his first start against the New Mexico Lobos. The timing of the decision has raised questions, particularly regarding Thorne's struggles against stronger competition after a successful opener against Alabama A&M. The team hopes that Brown's introduction can provide a morale boost and help turn their season around. Auburn's game against New Mexico is scheduled for Saturday at 6:30 p.m.