AUBURN roared into Waco on Friday, August 29, 2025, with a thunderous 38‑24 win over Baylor to open the season—complete with jaw‑dropping plays, bold calls, and non‑stop action.

At the heart of the night was Jackson Arnold’s electrifying debut. The transfer QB turned heads with a career‑high 137 rushing yards and two touchdowns, plus 108 passing yards. When the Tigers needed a spark, Arnold delivered—especially his dramatic 27‑yard fourth‑and‑1 touchdown run in the fourth quarter that sealed the win.houstonchronicle.com+8ESPN.com+8Yahoo Sports+8Dawg Sports+1Auburn Tigers Athletics

Down but not out, Sawyer Robertson answered Baylor’s haters. He threw for 419 yards and three fourth‑down TDs—one to Kobe Prentice and another to freshman Caiden Knighten. Baylor’s offense stayed competitive, but Auburn’s ground attack ultimately made the difference.New York Post+4ESPN.com+4ESPN.com+4

Special teams had its say: Rayshawn Pleasant ripped off a 98‑yard kickoff return touchdown, extending Auburn’s lead in the middle of a back‑and‑forth battle.ESPN.com+3Auburn Tigers Athletics+3ESPN.com+3

Key storylines:

Coach Hugh Freeze (Auburn) now has a 1–0 start in his third season—thanks to a powerful debut by Arnold and a bold offensive approach.

Coach Dave Aranda (Baylor) saw his defense tested early, but his team’s toughness and Robertson's heroics showed Baylor can hang in shootouts.ESPN.com+1

Momentum swing: Arnold’s mobility changed the dynamic; watching how he evolves—and how Baylor adjusts defensively—is going to be must-listen moving forward.

This game didn’t just set the tone—it blasted the roof off expectations. Tune in for breakdowns of the biggest plays, player impact—especially Arnold and Robertson—and what this all means for each team’s title hopes.

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