Arnold, previously with Oklahoma, led the Tigers with dynamic playmaking ability, carrying the ball 16 times—six of those runs went for at least 10 yards. He capped Auburn’s first quarter with a 24-yard touchdown run, completing a 96-yard drive. Late in the fourth quarter, Arnold sealed the win with a 27-yard touchdown on a crucial fourth-and-1 play. His performance energized the Auburn offense and impressed teammates and coaches alike. Running back Jeremiah Cobb commented, “Tough runner, looked kind of athletic too. Looked like he was having fun. It is awesome, just adds more to our offense.”
Auburn’s offense racked up 307 rushing yards, with Cobb and Damari Alston stepping into bigger roles after the departure of 1,200-yard rusher Jarquez Hunter. Alston finished with 84 yards and a touchdown, while Cobb added 74 yards and a score. The Tigers also benefitted from special teams, as transfer Rayshawn Pleasant returned a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown late in the third quarter, a play that shifted momentum firmly in Auburn’s favor.
On the other side, Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson threw for 419 yards and three touchdowns, keeping the Bears competitive. Robertson connected on two critical fourth-down touchdown passes: a 33-yarder to Alabama transfer Kobe Prentice and a 10-yarder to freshman Caiden Knighten. Despite these efforts, Baylor struggled defensively, missing tackles and failing to contain Auburn’s run game.
Both teams displayed offensive efficiency, with Auburn converting 5 of 10 third downs and Baylor going 3 of 6 on fourth-down attempts. However, Baylor’s two failed fourth-down conversions resulted in 10 points for Auburn, a pivotal difference in the game. Statistically, Baylor outgained Auburn in total yardage (483 to 415), but Auburn’s balanced attack, timely defensive stops, and big plays on special teams were decisive.
This win marks a strong start to head coach Hugh Freeze‘s third season at Auburn. Freeze acknowledged the team’s sluggishness early on but praised their resilience and ability to secure a road win against a solid opponent, saying, “We can really build upon it. I know we can play better than we did tonight.”
From a historical perspective, the Auburn vs. Baylor matchup has been rare; prior to this meeting, the teams last played in 1976, with Baylor holding a slight edge in the all-time series. After this result, the series is now tied at 2-2-1, with Auburn breaking Baylor’s streak from their last encounter.
Looking ahead, Auburn will host Ball State in their home opener on September 6, while Baylor travels to face No. 16 SMU. Both teams face challenging schedules, but Auburn’s impressive debut from Arnold and their dynamic backfield suggest they could be a force in the SEC this season. For more in-depth stats and highlights, visit Auburn 38-24 Baylor (Aug 29, 2025) Game Recap and Football History vs Auburn from Dec 31, 1954 – Baylor Athletics.