Good Morning, Tigers. Shortly after Saturday’s loss to Arkansas, senior captain Eugene Asante sent a message in the team’s group chat. “We’re so close.” 

Asante and some other team leaders called a players-only meeting to discuss some of those issues and how to resolve them. With another massive game coming up this Saturday against Oklahoma, who will make the play when the big moments arise?

Head coach Hugh Freeze knows this Auburn team is close, too. You could see it against Arkansas. The defense's effort was incredible. The offense moved the ball and hit multiple explosive plays. But the defense has to get off the field on third-and-long, and the offense has to limit turnovers. 

It’s another afternoon kickoff tomorrow at 2:45 p.m. CT, and the Tigers are back in Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Read The Opening Drive for more, including the game by the numbers.

Wait until you see what else we have mixed into the Brew today. Check it out below!

🏈 Three questions with DB Jerrin Thompson
🏐 Auburn Volleyball kicks off SEC action against Kentucky TONIGHT!
🐅 And much, much more!

🎥 WAREAGLE+: THE FLIGHT

The Flight - Football (S. 2, Ep. 4)
This week, senior defensive back Keionte Scott is profiled, along with a behind-the-scenes look at Auburn and Arkansas.

🔼 A Clean Slate. After another successful journey through non-conference action, Auburn (10-1, 0-0) kicks off its SEC slate with No. 12 Kentucky (6-5,0-0) tonight inside Neville Arena.

The Tigers have showcased their defensive capabilities early this season. Holding opponents to a 0.141 hitting percentage, Auburn sets the pace for the SEC while ranked No. 17 in the country.

Head coach Brent Crouch’s blocking unit continues to excel as the season unfolds. The Tigers have the best average in the conference for blocks per set (2.99), which ranks them No. 9 nationally. 

⇢ Go here for more info, including the scouting report on Kentucky. 🏐

🔼 Oh Captain, Our Captain. THREE QUESTIONS WITH DB JERRIN THOMPSON 👇🏼

Q: You played at Texas. Does the past rivalry mean anything to you for this week? 

A: It means a lot. I have something against these guys. They have beaten me more times than I would’ve liked in my years at my previous school. We need one. It definitely means a lot to me. 

Q: What did it mean for your teammates to vote you as a team captain? 

A: It meant everything to me. That’s probably one of the greatest achievements I could have accomplished as a football player, especially in the limited months I have been here. It just shows the respect and value my teammates have for me. 

Go here for the full Q&A.

🔼 Chris Keeps Movin’ Up. Chris Williams was elevated to associate head coach of the Auburn men’s golf program after spending the previous three seasons as an assistant coach and leading the Tigers to their first national title at the end of the 2024 season. 

“It’s no secret that coach Williams has been instrumental to our successes these past few years,” Auburn head coach Nick Clinard said.

Known for his elite recruiting abilities, Williams was a major factor in the signing of WAGR No. 2 Jackson Koivun, who produced one of the most decorated seasons in the history of the sport last year as the first man to capture the Haskins, Hogan, Mickelson and Nicklaus Awards in one sweep. The Tigers are projected to usher in yet another top-three signing class this November. 

🔼 Whoooooa-Mack. A new era of Auburn softball is beginning under the direction of co-head coaches Chris and Kate Malveaux, and with them are eight new Tigers on The Plains looking to help make a mark in year one.

Transferring from Ole Miss, Ma’Nia Womack brings athleticism and playmaking ability.

Q: What has been the highlight of your softball career so far?

Womack: My first collegiate hit being a home run. 

Q: Why did you decide Auburn was the best fit to continue your collegiate career? 

Womack: The coaches and staff are the most caring, genuine and selfless people you will ever meet. They will help develop you as a player AND a person.

Read the full Q&A.

🔼 Fall Into Action. Auburn cross country returns to action TODAY, making the trip to Columbia, Missouri, to compete in the Gans Creek Classic. The squads will compete at the Gans Creek Cross Country Course, with the women running the 6k at 8 a.m. CT and the men running the 8k at 8:45 a.m. CT. 

“We’re excited to get going,” Auburn cross-country coach Aaron Kindt said. “It’s been a little bit of a challenge keeping them at bay. I think they’re ready to get out some of that energy..” 

Auburn gets the chance to show off a total of 22 Tigers, 10 men and 12 women, against Baylor, NR/6 Florida, Georgia Tech, NR/13 Lipscomb, Kentucky, 28/26 Ole Miss, 10/8 Stanford, NR/9 Tennessee, UCLA and host Missouri.  

🔼 Home Field Advantage. It certainly wasn’t the outlook the Tigers were hoping for against Texas A&M, but the team now turns to the next task at hand. Auburn returns to the Plains for a Sunday match at 2 p.m. CT vs. Ole Miss. The Tigers are unbeaten this season at home, where their record is 7-0-1.

🔼 Giddy Up. The No. 5 Auburn equestrian team kicks off the 2024-25 season at home, hosting No. 1 TCU Friday afternoon at the Auburn University Equestrian Center. The contest between the two teams starts at 3 p.m. CT, and admission is free. 

“I am looking for a lot of fight and grit out of our team tomorrow,” head coach Jessica Braswell said. “It is going to be a very competitive meet and we will need to be at our best to come out on top.”

Friday’s meet marks the second straight season that the Tigers open the year at home. 

🤔 TIGER TRIVIA

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• You make an annual subscription (e.g., $204)

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That's right - your support now goes three times further in empowering our incredible student-athletes across all sports programs. But wait, there's more! As a special thank you, new members will receive an exclusive mini-poster featuring our star Auburn student-athletes. It's the perfect way to showcase your Auburn pride!

🐅 ONE BIG THING

Leaders Gonna Lead. Congratulations to Luke Deal!

📅 ON THE DOCKET

Friday, Sept. 27
🎾 Men’s Tennis @ LTP Challenger
🎾 Women’s Tennis @ ITF W35 Berkley
👟 X-Country @ Gans Creek Classic @ 8 a.m. CT
🐎 Equestrian vs. TCU @ 3 p.m. CT
🏐 Volleyball vs. Kentucky - SEC Opener After Dark @ 8 p.m. CT | SEC ESPN Network | Live Stats

Saturday, Sept. 28
🎾 Men’s Tennis @ LTP Challenger
🎾 Women’s Tennis @ ITF W35 Berkley
🏈 Football vs. Oklahoma @ 2:30 p.m. CT ABC | Wear Orange | Reserve Your Tailgate | SEATGEEK

Sunday, Sept. 29
🎾 Men’s Tennis @ LTP Challenger
🎾 Women’s Tennis @ ITF W35 Berkley
⚽️ Soccer vs. Ole Miss - Y2K Day @ 2 p.m. CT SECN+ | Live Stats
🏐 Volleyball vs. Alabama - Rivalry Night @ 4 p.m. CT | SEC ESPN Network | Live Stats

🐅 Go here to view the entire Auburn Athletics Calendar

🎉TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: The Allstate Sugar Bowl!

Tomorrow will be the Sooners’ first road trip to Jordan-Hare Stadium as a member of the SEC. 

🐅 Happy Friday, y’all!