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Takeaways: Auburn gets throttled by Maryland in Music City Bowl

Originally posted on FanNation Auburn Daily
By Lance Dawe | Last updated 12/30/23

The Tigers just didn't have enough in the tank against the Terps.

Auburn (6-7, 3-5 SEC) was crushed by Maryland 31-13 in the Music City Bowl. The Terrapins raced out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter and sat on their lead for the rest of the game.

Here are five takeaways from the game.

Thorne had a pitiful performance

Payton Thorne finished the game 13-of-27 passing for 84 yards, one touchdown and a pick-six.

While there wasn't much help coming from either the receiving room or the offensive line, there were several moments that made fans grimace.

If Thorne is who Auburn truly wants to be their starting quarterback in 2024, they're going to need to get a lot more out of what's surrounding him.

He's not going to be able to carry the offense by himself.

Shoutout to third-string quarterback Hank Brown, who came into the game in the fourth quarter and was throwing absolute bombs all over the field. He finished 7-of-9 passing for 134 yards and led one of the Tigers' two scoring drives. The baby goat was amazing in limited action.

Maryland crushed Auburn in the first quarter

The Terrapins averaged 11.9 yards per play in the first quarter, exploding to put 21 points on the board.

It was over after that.

Maryland went on to average 3.1, 1.5 and 1.8 yards per play in the ensuing three quarters, but it didn't matter. Auburn's offense just could not move the ball all afternoon.

The Tigers only outgained by 10 yards and still lose by 18.

Man, Auburn needs some better effort from their skill positions

Camden Brown and Shane Hooks. Two players that many thought would have a shot to be good in Hugh Freeze's offense.

There was never any consistent effort from either player when given reps this season. It was epitomized in the bowl game today.

It wasn't just Brown and Hooks, either. The Tigers were straight up outhustled at the skill spots on both sides of the ball. To be fair, Freeze & Co. were operating with second and third-string players for the majority of the game, but it doesn't entirely excuse Auburn's lack of fight in this one.

Auburn could not run on Maryland

35 attempts, 76 rushing yards, 2.2 yards per carry.

That doesn't cut it in any game. Jarquez Hunter finished the day with a team-leading 44 yards on 13 carries, simply unable to get anything going the entire contest.

It's a far cry from what we saw at times during the regular season.

Look to the future

Auburn's 2024 recruiting class is the best they've had in almost a decade. Next season will be filled with a ton of new faces, improved talent, and more opportunity to build on what Freeze is trying to establish here.

Just keep looking ahead, Tiger fans. Put this one behind and keep moving forward.