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Auburn’s veteran signal caller Payton Thorne struggled in a Week 2 loss to Cal on Saturday. The passer threw four interceptions to help the Bears leave Jordan-Hare Stadium with a 21-14 upset.
The Tigers entered that home contest as a two-touchdown favorite following an impressive 73-3 showing vs. Alabama A&M. No one believed the Golden Bears would come out victorious!
“There is no chance Auburn loses to Cal. NONE. Book it.”
-Paul Finebaum pic.twitter.com/xJET1TldiO— Fil Snow (@bearswithfangs) September 9, 2024
That said, the Tigers were a popular sports betting pick over the weekend with many predicting more production from a Hugh Freeze-led offense.
Those gamblers would go home empty handed!
Cal harassed Auburn’s quarterback time and again, recording three sacks and forcing five turnovers. The win was the program’s first over an SEC school since 2019, but its fourth in the last five tries. It also avenged last season’s 14-10 loss to the Tigers in Berkeley.
Payton Thorne’s subpar performance was the topic of conversation after the fact.
QB play has been an issue throughout the two-year Hugh Freeze era on the Plains, with Thorne leading the charge in each campaign. Last year, he finished 11th in the SEC in passing yards with one of the worst conference marks amongst full-time starters.
The season could be trending towards a similar output.
With Thorne failing to meet the expectations of many in Week 2, he’s admittedly dealt with online criticism. On Tuesday, he said that salty sports bettors are requesting cash on Venmo in order to refund their tickets!
Auburn QB Payton Thorne says he has people 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝗼𝗻 𝗩𝗲𝗻𝗺𝗼 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 🤣
Thorne says at the end of the day, “You have to go back to where your foundation is in your life and for me thats my Faith and my Family…” pic.twitter.com/Uh162e4qM6
— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) September 10, 2024
Fans can be brutal!
Payton Thorne will look to regroup in Week 3 against New Mexico. The Tigers are currently listed as 28-point favorites.