On a rain-slicked Saturday night at Jordan-Hare Stadium, true freshman Deuce Knight didn’t just make his debut—he rewrote Auburn’s playbook. With 401 total yards and six touchdowns, Knight tied the school record in his first career start, leading the Auburn Tigers to a 62-17 demolition of the Mercer Bears on November 22, 2025. The game, played in front of a roaring crowd in Auburn, Alabama, wasn’t just a blowout—it was a coming-out party for a player many thought wouldn’t see the field until 2026.
From the First Snap, a Statement
Knight didn’t wait for the game to begin. On Auburn’s very first offensive play, he took the handoff, slipped past two Mercer defenders, and sprinted 75 yards for a touchdown. Just 15 seconds in. The crowd erupted. Alex McFersonson’s extra point made it 7-0. That run wasn’t just long—it was the longest rush of the season for Auburn. And it was only the start.By the end of the first quarter, Knight had added a 51-yard scamper for another score. Then, midway through the second, he dropped back, fired a laser to Malcolm Simmons, who turned a short slant into a 91-yard touchdown—the longest pass play of the year for the Tigers. Three of Auburn’s four longest plays from scrimmage that season? All Knight. In his first three quarters, he didn’t just play quarterback—he became the offense.
A Record-Breaking Performance
Knight finished with 162 rushing yards on just nine carries and four touchdowns. He completed 15 of 20 passes for 239 yards and two more scores. No Auburn quarterback had run for four touchdowns in a game since Cam Newton did it in 2010. And no freshman in program history had ever rushed for 150+ yards and four touchdowns in a single game. Those aren’t just records—they’re milestones.Even when he was pulled with 6:46 left in the fourth, the momentum didn’t stop. Backup Jackson Arnold added a 56-yard TD run of his own. Simmons, who caught five passes for 149 yards, looked like a future NFL draft pick. Freshman Cam Coleman added 65 yards and a touchdown. The Tigers’ offense looked like a well-oiled machine—because Knight was the engine.
Defense and the Other Side of the Ball
Mercer came in 9-2, riding a nine-game winning streak. Their quarterback, senior Braden Atkinson, threw for 210 yards and one touchdown—but also two picks. One of them, intercepted by junior linebacker Elijah Melendez, was returned 42 yards for a touchdown. The Bears managed 338 total yards, but they were never in it. Auburn’s defense, often criticized this season, looked sharp, aggressive, and disciplined.
Why Daniels Sat Out—and What It Means
The real story behind the score? Ashton Daniels, Auburn’s starting junior quarterback, didn’t play. He was held out to preserve a year of eligibility, a move that surprised some but made perfect sense. With the Iron Bowl against No. 10 Alabama looming on November 29, the Tigers needed to protect their veteran leader. Knight’s performance didn’t just fill a void—it opened a door. If Daniels returns healthy, Auburn now has two elite options. If he decides to enter the transfer portal? Knight’s name is already on the NFL radar.Coach Hugh Freeze didn’t gloat after the game. But he didn’t need to. His words to the Montgomery Advertiser said it all: “You don’t plan for this. You just hope for it.”
What’s Next? Bowl Eligibility and the Iron Bowl
Auburn’s record now stands at 5-6. One win away from bowl eligibility. The next game? The Iron Bowl. Against Alabama. On the road. It’s not just a rivalry—it’s a statement game. And now, Auburn doesn’t just have a quarterback. They have a phenomenon.Meanwhile, Mercer’s perfect season is over. The Bears, representing a private university in Macon, Georgia with just 8,500 students, came to Auburn expecting a challenge. They got a reckoning. Their nine-game streak? Gone. Their confidence? Shaken.
And what about Knight? He’s from Auburn. Grew up two miles from Jordan-Hare. Played high school ball at Auburn High. He didn’t need to be recruited—he was born for this. No transfer portal whispers. No doubts. Just a kid who showed up and became a legend in three hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Deuce Knight’s performance compare to other Auburn freshman QBs?
Knight became the first freshman in Auburn history to rush for 150+ yards and four touchdowns in a single game. His 401 total yards also rank among the top five single-game performances by any Auburn quarterback since 2000. Only Cam Newton (2010) and Bo Nix (2020) have had higher total yardage in a debut, but neither matched Knight’s rushing touchdown total. His combination of efficiency and explosiveness is unprecedented for a true freshman at Auburn.
Why did Auburn hold Ashton Daniels out of the game?
Auburn’s coaching staff chose to preserve Daniels’ final year of eligibility by sitting him out, a strategic move common among programs with a strong backup. With the Iron Bowl against Alabama approaching, keeping Daniels healthy and eligible for the most important game of the season was prioritized over a non-conference matchup. This also allowed Knight to prove himself under pressure without the shadow of a veteran starter.
What does this mean for Auburn’s 2026 quarterback depth?
With Daniels still eligible and Knight now a proven starter, Auburn enters 2026 with one of the most exciting QB duos in the SEC. Knight’s dual-threat ability—75-yard runs and 91-yard bombs—adds a dimension the offense lacked under Daniels alone. Even if Daniels returns, Knight’s performance makes him a legitimate starter candidate. The Tigers now have flexibility, competition, and elite potential at the position for the first time since the Cam Newton era.
How did Mercer respond to such a dominant loss?
Mercer’s head coach, Mark Hudspeth, called the game “a wake-up call” in postgame interviews. The Bears, who had won nine straight and were ranked in the FCS top 25, struggled with Auburn’s speed and physicality. Their offense, which averaged 31 points per game this season, was held to 17. Defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley noted that Mercer’s offensive line was overwhelmed by Auburn’s front seven, particularly on early downs. The loss ends their best season in over a decade.
Is Deuce Knight likely to declare for the NFL Draft after this season?
Unlikely. Knight is a true freshman with four years of eligibility remaining. While NFL scouts are already tracking him, he’s focused on the Iron Bowl and the chance to make Auburn bowl-eligible. Most top freshman prospects wait until after their junior year to enter the draft. His long-term future looks bright, but for now, he’s staying put—right where he belongs.
What’s the significance of this win for Auburn’s program?
Beyond bowl eligibility, this win signals a cultural shift. Auburn hasn’t had a true freshman QB explode like this since the early 2000s. Knight’s hometown roots, his poise under pressure, and his ability to elevate teammates suggest he’s not just a flash in the pan—he’s the future. For a program that’s struggled with consistency since 2017, this performance offers hope. And for fans? It’s the kind of moment that turns a losing season into a memory.