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The Auburn Tigers have been hunting for a winning season since 2020 under Gus Malzahn. But on Friday, they took a big step forward, toppling the Baylor Bears 38-24. On top of that, Jackson Arnold made his Auburn debut and made it count. He racked up 108 passing yards and 137 rushing yards. Along with that, he lit up 2 rushing TDs. So, the Oklahoma transfer showed poise, making sharp reads and slicing through defenses, giving the Tigers’ offense the spark it needed. Now, following the game, Auburn HC Hugh Freeze’s daughter dropped a subtle jab of her own.

On August 29th, Jordan Freeze McManus, gave fans a glimpse of family pride at McLane Stadium. She shared a sweet snap of her mom, Jill, and dad with the caption: “Despite the temperature, there was a Freeze warning in Texas 🥶🐅.” The clever pun was like a cherry on top of the outcome of the game.

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Even when the Tigers struggled, Freeze saw the bigger picture. Baylor pushed hard, refusing to fold. “Give Baylor credit, they wouldn’t go away,” said the Auburn HC. “They’re a gritty, mature, tough football team. It says a lot about our grit and toughness to hang in here when we didn’t play our best and find a way to win our opener against what I think is a really good team.” Simply put, Auburn showed resilience, battling through mistakes and finding a way to snatch the opener. So, it was a win forged by grit, determination, and raw toughness.

Although Freeze has three kids, his second daughter, Jordan, shares a particularly close bond with the family. She often blends personal moments with her professional life. A Liberty University graduate, she works as an Athletic Relationship Liaison, helping student-athletes with NIL deals. And Jordan frequently shares playful posts with her father and siblings. Basically, she highlighted the family’s strong connection and supportive environment both on and off the field. Now, her subtle message follows Arnold’s bold shout-out. So, what exactly did Arnold say to Hugh Freeze?

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Jackson Arnold’s bold take on Hugh Freeze

Despite a few defensive hiccups, Friday night lights belonged to Jackson Arnold. He sealed Auburn’s win with a clutch 27-yard TD run on fourth down late in the 4th quarter. On top of that, Arnold torched the field, averaging 8.6 yards per carry on 16 rushes. And he completed 11 of 17 passes, fueling Auburn’s 307-yard ground attack. On a 70-yard drive, Arnold ripped off a 21-yard run to cross midfield. Then with 5:40 left in the third, Auburn stretched its lead to 24-10, showing they weren’t slowing down.

After the game, Jackson Arnold revealed what he told Hugh Freeze in the huddle: a simple, bold message. “Coach Freeze, he was asking what plays we wanted, and I told him, ‘Just give me the ball, let’s run it,'” said Arnold. The message was clear, and the Tigers delivered. Auburn’s rushing attack dominated, piling up 307 yards and four TDs.

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Key contributors included Eric Singleton Jr. (10 yards), Damari Alston (87 yards), Durrell Robinson ( 3 yards), and Jeremiah Cobb (74 yards). And Arnold’s first touchdown in an Auburn uniform came on a 24-yard scamper during the team’s second drive, a statement play in his debut. it’s just the beginning. And the Tigers are off to a blazing start with their new signal-caller leading the way.

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