For much of Auburn’s 27-21 loss to Oklahoma, it looked like the Tigers were playing their best game of the season.
The offense was moving efficiently, and the defense was stout as usual. It wasn’t enough to win, though, as Oklahoma made a late surge, capitalizing off costly Auburn mistakes.
Pro Football Focus graded every Auburn player who saw the field during Saturday’s game. Here are Auburn’s highest and lowest rated performers from the game:
Offense
Top 5
- WR Malcolm Simmons 85.4
- QB Payton Thorne 78.5
- RB Jarquez Hunter 77.7
- WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith 71.4
- LG Dillon Wade 68.8
Analysis
The five highest graded players tell the story of what Auburn’s offense was for most of the game.
Thorne and his receivers were efficient in the passing game and there seemed to be an emphasis on getting the ball to Simmons. He caught the first pass of the game on a screen and was targeted on a few quick passes before taking the top off the defense on a deep ball touchdown.
Hunter and Lambert-Smith continue to look like Auburn’s two best offensive players. Hunter ran for 97 yards and 17 carries and Lambert-Smith caught five passes for 77 yards and an over-the-shoulder touchdown catch.
Bottom 5
- WR Sam Jackson V 49.9
- OL Bradyn Joiner 50.7
- WR Camden Brown 54.1
- RB Damari Alston 56.2
- OL Izavion Miller 56.9
Analysis
Jackson’s low grade reflects one of the game-changing sequences in Saturday’s game.
Oklahoma stopped Auburn on fourth down near the goal line in the first half, on a possession where Jackson was brought in twice near the endzone as a wildcat quarterback.
On both plays, Jackson was stuffed on a design run and Auburn’s inability to get points on the drive had a direct impact on the game.
Auburn’s offensive line was solid for most of the game, but Oklahoma’s aggressive pass rush began to get home late in the game on obvious passing downs.
Defense
Top 5
- S Kaleb Harris 79.1
- LB Jalen McLeod 72.4
- S Caleb Wooden 71.9
- DE Keldric Faulk 71.4
- DE Zykeivous Walker 69
Analysis
Harris, a true freshman, continues to impress in Auburn’s secondary. He the highest coverage grade on the team (80.4) and the second highest tackling grade (80.8).
His two biggest plays came on a third down pass breakup in the first half and a big hit on Oklahoma quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. near the goal line.
McLeod, Faulk and Walker were the main catalysts in keeping Hawkins contained and never letting Oklahoma generate much of a rushing attack.
Mcleod’s 87 run defense grade stands out most, but his tackling grade of 28.5 brings his overall grade down.
Bottom 5
- CB Kayin Lee 43.4
- LB Dorian Mausi Jr. 49
- DB Keionte Scott 50.5
- DL Isaiah Raikes 59.2
- LB Keyron Crawford 59.2
Analysis
After a great performance in Week 4, Lee struggled against Oklahoma. The biggest play was a 60-yard pass he gave up down the sideline in one-on-one coverage that set up an Oklahoma touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Issues in coverage caused Mausi and Scott to join Lee on this list as the two had coverage grades of 39.1 and 42.1 respectively.
Peter Rauterkus covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @peter_rauterkus or email him at [email protected]m
