The Auburn Tigers defeated the New Mexico Lobos by a score of 45-19 on Saturday evening at Jordan-Hare Stadium, but the biggest story of the night didn’t come from the scoreboard in a game the Tigers were expected to win easily.

Hugh Freeze made a change at the quarterback position, benching veteran Payton Thorne for redshirt freshman Hank Brown. In Brown’s first career start, he went 17 of 25 for 235 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions. After the game, Brown shared with the media how his strong faith in Christ has guided him through this journey and continues to prepare him for the challenges ahead.

“I’ve kept myself grounded in my faith. Sometimes I think to myself, ‘I don’t know how people do it without their faith.’

For me, that’s the only way I can stay grounded…knowing that at the end of the day, God’s got me.” @Hankb_15 pic.twitter.com/S9Zd9bwLYx

— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) September 15, 2024

“I’ve kept myself grounded in my faith,” Brown said while talking about what the experience has been like after being named the starting quarterback and preparing for the moment. “Sometimes I think to myself, ‘I don’t know how people do it without their faith.’ For me, that’s the only way I can stay grounded, just knowing that at the end of the day, God’s got me no matter what happens. Just being able to spend time with Him and in constant communication with Him.”