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Payton Thorne suffers first-half struggles at Texas A&M as fans, media react
By Mark Kern
Published:
Payton Thorne is having a rough first half at Kyle Field. The Auburn quarterback was off to a 5-for-10 passing start for 46 yards, and gave up back-to-back sacks late in the first half.
The former Michigan State transfer is having a very difficult day as the Tigers are trailing on the road in the second quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies, 6-0.
Big plays have been there for the taking against the Aggies, but Thorne has missed multiple opportunities to create big plays.
It has been a variety of mistakes. He missed a wide open Jay Fair in a play that could have been an early touchdown. That single play could have changed the dynamic of the game. He has also struggled picking up blitzes and read the defense, and he has been sacked multiple times in the first half.
Auburn fans and college football analysts have taken to social media to voice their displeasure with the play of the quarterback.
Here’s a sample of the reaction:
Payton Thorne downfield is random at best
— ?BUM CHILLUPS AKA SPENCER HALL? (@edsbs) September 23, 2023
goodness, Payton Thorne airmails Jay Fair and that could have been a touchdown — Thorne is high on some throws today so far
— Justin Hokanson (@_JHokanson) September 23, 2023
Payton Thorne misses a wide-open receiver on second down that could have gone for a TD.
On third-and-16, Auburn penalized for delay of game.
On third-and-21, Auburn drops the pass— Auburn Gold Mine (@AUGoldMine) September 23, 2023
that's a touchdown to Jay Fair on the wheel that Payton Thorne just missed
hasn't really hit anything downfield outside of that third-down rollout ball to Shane Hooks
— Justin Ferguson (@JFergusonAU) September 23, 2023
Payton Thorne has not identified pressure off the edge a single time this game. He either gets rocked because of it, or pitches straight into it on the Alston play.
— Nathan King (@NathanKing247) September 23, 2023
Hard to miss an open receiver by a wider margin than Payton Thorne did there. Would've been a touchdown. His misses have been wild high.
— Kevin Scarbinsky (@KevinScarbinsky) September 23, 2023
Payton Thorne's first quarter
0-for-2 passing
Three carries for minus-9 yards— Auburn Gold Mine (@AUGoldMine) September 23, 2023
Payton Thorne playing not to mess up
Kids gotta be more accurate or put in Robby and run the ball
— Aaron Murray (@aaronmurray11) September 23, 2023
Luckily for the Tigers, the defense is playing some pretty good football, and has kept the team within a score.
It doesn’t get any easier for the Tigers after this game, as matchups against Georgia, LSU and Ole Miss are up next on the schedule.
