Photo by Graham Bower/EETV
AUBURN, Ala. — The Auburn Tigers took on the Vanderbilt Commodores for Homecoming, marking Auburn’s first SEC home victory since 2024 against Texas A&M.
The Tigers built a 21-9 lead before Vanderbilt cut the deficit to six points in the fourth quarter. Auburn’s defense stopped the Commodores’ late rally, extending the Tigers’ homecoming winning streak to 35 games.
After Vanderbilt took an early lead on a field goal, Auburn quarterback Byrum Brown completed a 33-yard touchdown pass to Chas Nimrod to put the Tigers on the board. Nimrod’s touchdown was his second of the season and the sixth of his career.
Auburn’s special teams unit then provided a major spark.
Omar Mabson II blocked a Vanderbilt punt, and safety Cade Carlson recovered the ball and returned it 10 yards for a touchdown. This was Carlson’s first touchdown as a Tiger and increased Auburn’s lead to 14-3.
This play was one of many that made it a historic day for Auburn’s special teams unit. The team blocked both a punt and a field goal, a feat Auburn had not accomplished since its game against Alabama State in 2021.
Vanderbilt answered in the second half, but Auburn’s offense responded quickly.
Running back Sedrick Alexander scored on a 3-yard run to cut Auburn’s lead to five points. The Commodores then attempted a two-point conversion but were unsuccessful.
Brown then used his legs to extend Auburn’s lead with a 2-yard touchdown run. This marked his third rushing touchdown of the season and the 34th of his career. He also made his 36th career start, leading all SEC quarterbacks in career starts and ranking fifth nationally.
Vanderbilt continued to chip away at its deficit in the fourth quarter. Kicker Brock Taylor made two field goals, shrinking Auburn’s lead to six and putting pressure on the Tigers. The Tigers’ defense responded, holding Vanderbilt scoreless on its final possession to close out the game.
Linebacker Xavier Atkins led the Tigers with a season-high eight tackles and three tackles for loss. He also recorded his 12th sack of the season, setting him apart as a standout defensive player.
Atkins wasn’t the only Tiger to make an impact. Kicker Alex McPherson made impressive strides in the record book. His total career kicking points now total 233, eighth in Auburn program history and 10th overall in scoring. Additionally, McPherson hasn’t missed an extra point, converting 101 of 101 for his career.
Auburn head coach Alex Golesh spoke on Vanderbilt’s performance and on traveling with a new Auburn team.
“I think it is huge for us. Credit to Vandy; that quarterback is tough as nails. That kid’s really, really special. They play their tails off, and Clark’s built an incredible program there that they are proud of, and they should be,” Golesh said. “For us, 1-0, and now we’ve got to be able to reset and go on the road for the very first time this year and go find a way.”
Auburn will look ahead to face No. 14 Tennessee in its first SEC away game at 2:30 p.m. CT next Saturday in Knoxville.
