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AUBURN — After Auburn football’s second straight conference defeat falling to No. 21 Oklahoma 27-21 on Saturday, the Tigers prepare for an upcoming road stretch that consist of visiting Georgia, Missouri and Kentucky.
Now sitting at a 2-3 record and winless in conference play, Auburn coach Hugh Freeze says he has to find a way to get his team over the hump.
“Just like I told the team in there, I couldn’t be prouder of their effort and their preparation and the way they worked. I thought they played harder and deserved to win the game,” Freeze said. “I’ve got to find a way to help them win these games. It’s not on them and their effort today.
“I’ve got to help our team get over the edge when you have a chance to win a game like that. Proud of those young kids. I thought they played really well and are starting to mature some. But, gosh, this one sting, for sure.”
More: Auburn football hands Oklahoma victory with late pick-six at Jordan-Hare
For the second straight week, Auburn has totaled more yards of offense than its opponent. The Tigers finished with 440 yards compared to the Sooners’ 291 yards. The offense finished with 26 first downs and averaged 6.4 yards per play.
Payton Thorne completed 66% of his passes for 338 yards and three touchdowns. However, his game-sealing pick-six will resonate with Tiger fans after giving up a once 11-point fourth-quarter lead.
“That’s kind of been a story. We outgained Arkansas last week by a good amount. Today, also. We’re not winning football games,” Freeze said. “We’ve got to do something different to win these games when we’re producing the yards we are. We’re not producing the points that come with that to assist a defense that’s playing really, really hard and pretty well right now.”
Freeze added what his words were postgame to Thorne as the Tigers turn the page quickly to Georgia next week.
“Just told him I loved him. We’ll go back to work and try to correct and put him in better situations where we can finish a game off like this,” Freeze said.
Defensive standout Keldrick Faulk talked about the tide changing in the game and how the team needs to respond from a devastating loss like this. Faulk finished with five total tackles right behind freshman Demarcus Riddick, who led the defense with six tackles and a sack.
“I would say it hurts. It hurts, because you’re out there fighting with your brothers. Just to have that game flip on you that fast really just takes a toll on you; on the team, really,” Faulk said. “How we pick up the momentum is Georgia put us as their homecoming. So, that’s enough motivation as it is. We’ve got to create our own momentum throughout the week, and then come Saturday, they’re going to get everything we’ve got.”
Jalen McLeod got the second sack for the Tigers’ defense against the Sooners. He praised the day the freshman Riddick had saying that he’s a star in the making for this defense. Despite the final score not reflecting, the Tigers’ defense shut down the Sooners’ offense for majority of the contest because of McLeod and Riddick’s presence.
“He a dog, man. He was ready for this moment. He sees the opportunity that they gave him, and I’m proud of him,” McLeod said. “I kept telling him, ‘Man I’m proud, you a true freshman you come and play against this top 25 team, and you play your heart out. Keep playing like that.’ He kept playing like that. I’m proud of him. I’m going to keep telling him I’m proud of him.”
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