Auburn fans won’t have to wait long as the Tigers head to Baylor for Friday’s season opener, with senior Damari Alston set to start at running back after three seasons as a backup. “This is what I dreamed of,” Alston said. “Being ready for this moment, a prime-time game for the first game. I’m so excited for that and excited to put on a show with my brothers.”
Head coach Hugh Freeze shares the excitement as Auburn prepares for Week 1. “It’s finally here,” Freeze said at his game-week press conference. “Our kids are excited, and our fans are. Hopefully we can play mistake-free and clean in game one to give us the best chance to win against a very talented team.” Freeze also highlighted the challenge of preparing for a single game when you can’t replicate every scenario in practice, noting the need to prioritize the looks you’ll actually face on game night.
Baylor comes into the matchup with a potent offense return, led by quarterback Sawyer Robertson and a thousand-yard rusher in Bryson Washington, and the Bears have shown a scoring stride after settling on an offensive line last season, averaging 40.8 points per game in October and November. Freeze described Baylor as a confident, well-coached unit and noted it will be a great test to start the year.
For Auburn, quarterback Jackson Arnold will make his first start, returning to Texas after starring in high school at Guyer, near Waco. Arnold reflected on the challenge: “I played all four of my high school years in Texas, so I understand what Friday Night Lights mean out there. I like these challenges week one. It sets the tone for our team and for our season. I’m super grateful for this opportunity.” Freeze echoed the sentiment about the talent on Auburn’s roster, saying, “I’ve been around enough to know when you have enough talent to win games, and we do, and we’re not going to run from that. We’re excited about it, and now we have got to go prove that.”
Throughout preseason camp, Freeze shared videos from former players to reinforce his season-opening theme: Run your race. He spoke of a “cloud of witnesses” cheering the team on and reminded players to stay focused on their own race as they chase glory for Auburn football.
The 133rd season of Auburn football kicks off Friday at 7 p.m. CT at McLane Stadium in a Fox telecast. The broadcast team features Jason Benetti, Robert Griffin II, and Alexa Landestoy, while the Auburn Sports Network will carry play-by-play with Andy Burcham, Jason Campbell, and Ronnie Brown on the call.
What to watch
– Damari Alston’s audition as the featured back after three seasons backing up the starter.
– Jackson Arnold’s Texas-born debut at quarterback and how he handles Friday Night Lights energy in a big-time opener.
– Auburn’s ability to translate Freeze’s “Run your race” theme into a clean, disciplined performance against a Baylor offense with momentum.
– The matchup between Auburn’s offense and Baylor’s returning personnel, especially on the line and in the backfield.
Summary: Friday’s opener sets the tone for a season built on new leadership, emerging talent, and a tested mindset as Auburn faces a strong Baylor squad in a high-stakes, prime-time debut. The Tigers head into Week 1 with optimism, a clear plan, and a message to let their play on the field do the talking.