In a hometown return at Nissan Stadium, the TransPerfect Music City Bowl witnessed the emergence of true freshman quarterback Hank Brown, injecting a glimmer of hope for Auburn. Despite Brown's commendable efforts and Rivaldo Fairweather setting a new season record for tight end receptions, Maryland asserted dominance early, securing a 31-13 victory over the Tigers before a crowd of 50,088.
"Our young men and our staff, starting with me, have got to create a standard of the way we consistently work and consistently compete and figure out how to be a true team," Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze said. "That is my goal in 2024. It's disappointing today for our incredible fans and our administration that we didn't perform any better."
Brown, a Nashville native, brought his A-game when he took the field, relieving Payton Thorne and Holden Geriner for Auburn's final two possessions. Completing 7 of 9 attempts for a team-high 132 passing yards, Brown showcased his poise, earning praise from Coach Freeze, who commented, "Hank has incredible poise. I see it every day when he's running the scout team."
On the offensive front, Rivaldo Fairweather etched his name in Auburn's record books by breaking the season record for tight end receptions with a total of 38 catches. His contributions were pivotal in a critical 14-play, 80-yard touchdown drive late in the first half. Fellow tight end Brandon Frazier added to the excitement, capping the drive with a 3-yard touchdown catch, the second of his career.
Despite Fairweather's individual success, Maryland dominated the opening quarter, establishing a commanding 21-0 lead with three consecutive touchdown possessions. Auburn's defense faced a formidable challenge, yet moments of brilliance emerged, including Jalen McLeod's tackle for loss and Austin Keys' sack.
Maryland's relentless offense dictated the pace, with the Terps scoring touchdowns on their first three possessions. Auburn's late-game resilience was epitomized by Brown's connection with Caleb Burton, resulting in a spectacular 53-yard completion that set up Jeremiah Cobb's gritty 1-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Burton led Auburn with an impressive 79 yards receiving on five catches.
The game's turning point came in the third quarter when Glendon Miller's 44-yard pick-six extinguished any hope of an Auburn comeback, extending Maryland's lead to 31-7. Despite moments of defensive prowess, Auburn couldn't bridge the early deficit.
As Auburn concludes the season with a 6-7 record, eyes now turn toward the future with determination. The upcoming 2024 season presents a promising opportunity for redemption, with Auburn opening with five consecutive home games, beginning on August 31 against Alabama A&M at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Freeze, while acknowledging the disappointment, remains optimistic about Auburn's potential to reclaim its status as an elite football program. "It takes great recruiting, and it also takes player-led teams that put team first and the standard of the team every single day," Freeze noted. "We're still learning that, and we've got to demand it as coaches." The journey continues, and Auburn's faithful are eagerly anticipating the resurgence of their beloved Tigers on the gridiron.
