Payton Thorne benched, Hank Brown expected to start for Auburn

AUBURN, Ala. ( WHNT ) — Auburn will trot out a new starting quarterback Saturday, according to multiple reports.

On3 Sports’ Justin Hokanson first reported Friday that Tigers stater Payton Thorne would be benched in favor of redshirt freshman Hank Brown. That report was confirmed by multiple others later in the afternoon.

Thorne was the starting quarterback for the Tigers through the 2023 season and was first on the depth chart throughout spring and summer. He led the Tigers to a 73-3 win over the Alabama A&M Bulldogs before struggling heavily against the California Golden Bears.

In the 21-14 loss, Thorne threw 4 interceptions.

Brown, a Nashville native, has appeared in two games over the last two seasons for the Tigers. In those games, he has gone 10-14 for 228 yards and two touchdowns.

The Tigers take on the New Mexico Lobos at kickoff set for 6:30 p.m.

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