Auburn first-team All-SEC LB Xavier Atkins -the SEC's leader in tackles for losses (17)- celebrates the Tigers victory in the postgame celebration.
Behind an announced crowd of 45,233 fans at McLane Stadium, the Auburn Tigers used a dominating run game to outlast the Baylor Bears 38-24. 21 of Auburn’s 24 first downs came via the ground game. The Tigers piled up over 300 rushing yards (307) in the process.
Defensively, the Tigers held Baylor to just a 30-percent conversion rate on third downs (5-of-15) and posted four quarterback sacks. Edge rushers Keyron Crawford and Keldric Faulk each posted takedowns. Faulk also posted a pass breakup in the victory.
Despite the success up front defensively, the Tigers allowed over 400 yards passing to Bears senior quarterback Sawyer Robertson (27-of-48, 419 yards, 3 TDs). First-team All-Big 12 Tight end/H-back Michael Trigg caught seven of those tosses for 99 yards and one score.
The Auburn run game proved to be too much to handle for Baylor. Former Oklahoma signal-caller Jackson Arnold rushed for a career-high 137 yards and two touchdowns in his Tigers debut. Auburn running backs Damari Alston and Jeremiah Cobb combined for another 168 yards on 32 carries (two touchdowns). The 307-yard rushing effort was the most from an Auburn squad since a Week Eight 326-yard effort against Kentucky in 2024.
We review images from the Week One affair in our photo collage recap.
The game -played at John Eddie Williams Field (McLane Stadium)- featured two teams with high expectations for 2025.
The Auburn offense kept Baylor's defense off-balance for much of the first half of action with its QB-based run game.
Auburn QB Jackson Arnold follows pulling guard Jeremiah Wright (No. 77 pictured) on a quarterback power run during Friday night's action.
Wright (No. 77 pictured pancaking Baylor S Tyler Turner) is a huge factor in the team's gap-schemed runs. Wright will be a participant in the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl.
Baylor placekicker Connor Hawkins (No. 96 pictured) attempts to get the ball past Auburn sophomore DE Amaris Williams (No. 10 pictured).
Auburn placekicker Alex McPherson (No. 38 pictured) battled back from illness to start in the team's season opener. He missed just three field goals in 2025, all versus Missouri in Week Eight.
Auburn's Jeremiah Cobb finds a hole behind center Connor Lew (No. 75 pictured) as Baylor DL Cooper Lanz (No. 9 pictured) rallies from behind.
Auburn second-team All-SEC RB Jeremiah Cobb scores a touchdown in third quarter of Friday's season opener as quarterback Jackson Arnold gives the signal.
Baylor's offensive line provides time for senior QB Sawyer Robertson. Despite giving up four sacks, the unit -led by first-team All-Big 12 OG Omar Aigbedion (No. 68 pictured)- helped Robertson throw for 419 yards and three touchdowns.
After returning a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter, Auburn's Rayshawn Pleasant (No. 14 pictured) celebrates in the end zone.
Baylor's first-team All-Big 12 TE/H-back Michael Trigg (50 REC, 694 yds, 6 TDs) and first-team All-Big 12 WR-PR Josh Cameron (69 REC, 872 yds, 9 TDs) align versus Auburn CB Jay Crawford.
Baylor QB Sawyer Robertson (pictured) takes a shot down the field as Auburn DE Keldric Faulk (No. 15 pictured) turns the corner on Baylor LT Sidney Fugar (No. 69 pictured).
Baylor LB Keaton Thomas (No. 11 pictured about to tackle RB Damari Alston) -a second-team All-Big 12 selection- finished the Week One contest with 16 tackles (10 solo).
Auburn first-team All-SEC LB Xavier Atkins -the SEC's leader in tackles for losses (17)- celebrates the Tigers victory in the postgame celebration.
