Auburn will use Hank Brown instead of Payton Thorne at quarterback in Week 3 as Hugh Freeze looks for an offensive spark

Auburn will start redshirt freshman Hank Brown at quarterback against New Mexico in Week 3, Brandon Marcello confirmed, as second-year coach Hugh Freeze looks to revive his flagging offense. Brown will replace senior Payton Thorne, who threw four interceptions in the Tigers' 21-14 loss to Cal in Week 2.

The move gives Freeze an extended look at an interesting young player before the excitement builds with a visit from Arkansas in Week 4 to open SEC play. Brown has completed 10 of 14 passes for 228 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in two career appearances.

Brown was a three-star prospect in the class of 2023 after excelling under UAB coach and former Super Bowl-winning quarterback Trent Dilfer at Lipscomb Academy in Nashville, Tenn. Despite being ranked just the No. 60 quarterback in his class by 247Sports, he has flashed potential since enrolling in the summer of 2023.

He made his debut last season in a blowout loss to Maryland in the Music City Bowl, where he completed 7 of 9 passes for 132 yards as a substitute. His other appearance was in the 73-3 win over Alabama A&M on August 31, when he completed 3 of 5 passes for 96 yards and scored two touchdowns.

The game against New Mexico should be a chance for Brown to build confidence. The Lobos (0-2) gave up 567 yards in a 35-31 loss to FCS opponent Montana State in Week 0 and 627 yards in a 61-39 loss to Arizona in Week 1.

Freeze hinted earlier this week that a quarterback change could be imminent, saying if Thorne continued to struggle, “we have to go in a different direction.”

Thorne completed 61.1% of his passes with 16 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in his first year at Auburn last season. But instead of luring a transfer to boost a mediocre quarterback roster, Freeze doubled down on the returners in his group for the 2024 season. That decision backfired against Cal, as the Tigers managed just 286 yards in their loss at home.