Hugh Freeze is the first Auburn Tigers coach in half a century to get a third year on the job after two losing seasons. One of the reasons Freeze has been given more leeway is the sorry state of the program when he took over prior to the 2023 season.

Auburn freshman quarterback Deuce Knight knew that he would face pressure during last Saturday's A-Day practice, as it would be the first time he would wear the orange and blue in front of Tiger fans.

Saturday’s A-Day open practice put an exclamation point on that experience, as Knight was the only scholarship quarterback available after Jackson Arnold suffered a minor leg injury during Thursday’s practice. That meant all the first team reps were Knight’s, giving the freshman a chance to make some live throws in front of a crowd.