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Cam Newton Reflects on the SEC Showdown That Changed Everything for Auburn

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt De Lima | Last updated May 19, 2025 3:40 PM ET

Cam Newton's 2010 season with the Auburn Tigers is one of the all-time best performances of a college football player ever. The numbers and results speak for themselves.

Newton delivered eye-popping stats from under center after transferring from Blinn College to the Tigers. He passed for 2,854 yards, 30 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also added a staggering 1,473 rushing yards and 20 scores on the ground.

Newton led Auburn to a national championship and won the Davey O'Brien Award, Manning Award, Walter Camp Award, Maxwell Award, and Heisman Trophy.

During a recent episode of his podcast "4th & 1," Newton spoke with former LSU Tigers cornerback Patrick Peterson about that incredible season and the one game that let Newton know that year was something special.

"During that season, we beat LSU ... (It felt like) we belong now. That game kinda stamped us as we ain't the lil bruh no more. We belong."

Newton finished that game against LSU by passing for 86 yards but did the most damage on the ground by contributing 217 rushing yards and two scores. Auburn won 24-17.

"That whole year was a business trip," Newton explained. "There was just so much going on."

Newton is referring to the fact that his collegiate career began at Florida but was cut short after it was revealed he stole a laptop computer from another student. He was subsequently suspended from the team, and he was forced to transfer.

When he finally returned to the SEC with one season spent in the JUCO ranks, Newton still faced a lot of controversy as his father, Cecil Newton, was alleged to be seeking payment for his son's services back when a pay-for-play scheme would've ended Newton's season.

Auburn would finish the season 14-0, winning 22-19 against the Oregon Ducks in the BCS National Championship Game.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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