It wasn’t just a win. It was a statement. Freshman quarterback Deuce Knight turned Jordan-Hare Stadium into his personal highlight reel on Saturday, November 22, 2025, throwing and running for six touchdowns in his first career start, leading the Auburn University Tigers to a 62-17 rout of the Mercer University Bears. The game, played at 1:00 p.m. CST in Auburn, Alabama, wasn’t just a tune-up—it was a turning point. With the Iron BowlJordan-Hare Stadium looming just one week away, Auburn’s offense, long stuck in neutral, finally found its voice—and it came from a 19-year-old kid who hadn’t even taken a snap in a college game until kickoff.
From Down 14-7 to Dominance
Mercer, ranked sixth in the FCS and undefeated in the Southern Conference, came out swinging. Quarterback Braden Atkinson connected with Adjatay Dabbs for an 8-yard touchdown catch late in the first quarter, capping a 75-yard drive that looked like the start of something special. A second Mercer TD, a methodical 70-yard march that ate up six minutes, put the Bears up 14-7. Auburn’s defense, ranked near the bottom of the SEC, looked shell-shocked. Fans held their breath. Was this another close loss in a string of heartbreakers? Then came Deuce Knight. With just 15 seconds gone on Auburn’s next drive, Knight took the handoff, broke a tackle at the line, and turned on the jets. He sprinted 75 yards untouched, leaving three defenders grasping at air. A minute later, he did it again—a 51-yard sprint up the middle that tied the game. By halftime, he’d added a 9-yard run and a 10-yard TD pass to Cam Coleman. The Tigers led 35-17. The crowd, once murmuring in concern, was now roaring like a storm.The Defense Finds Its Teeth
The real dagger came early in the third quarter. With Mercer driving again, safety Elijah Melendez read the route, jumped the slant, and returned an interception 41 yards for a touchdown. Suddenly, the Bears’ confidence cracked. Auburn’s defense, which had allowed 24 points in the first quarter, held Mercer to just three the rest of the way. Linebacker Robert Woodyard led the charge with eight tackles, while defensive end Chris Murray sacked Atkinson twice—including a strip-sack recovered by Jay Hardy that led to a 49-yard field goal by kicker Alex McPherson, his 12th straight made attempt. Mercer’s offense, the FCS’s top passing attack, finished with just 115 rushing yards and three turnovers. Auburn’s defense, often criticized for being soft, looked like a different unit. "Any time you create those plays," said interim coach DJ Durkin, "you create doubt. And that’s what we did."
A Quarterback Emerges
Knight finished with 401 total yards—218 rushing, 183 passing—and six touchdowns. No Auburn QB had ever done that in a debut. He didn’t just play well—he played like someone who belonged. His mobility, decision-making, and calm under pressure were uncanny for a freshman. Even more telling? He didn’t look surprised by it. "I’ve seen this in practice," he said afterward, shrugging. "We just had to believe." The numbers tell the story: Auburn racked up 547 total yards to Mercer’s 338. The Tigers converted 7 of 13 third downs. Mercer, despite controlling the clock for nearly 37 minutes, could never sustain momentum. The game’s most telling stat? Five different Auburn players scored rushing touchdowns. Five. That’s not a quarterback game. That’s a team awakening.What This Means for the Iron Bowl
Auburn’s record now stands at 5-6, 1-6 in the SEC. They’re not going to a bowl game. But they’re not going into the Iron Bowl as a team with nothing to play for. They’re going in as a team with momentum, with belief, and with a quarterback who might just be the spark this program needs. The last time Auburn beat Alabama was 2020. Since then, they’ve lost by an average of 14 points per game. This year’s matchup was supposed to be another blowout. But now? Now it’s different. Knight’s performance didn’t just change the narrative—it rewrote it. If Auburn can channel this energy, if the defense keeps playing like it did after the first quarter, this Iron Bowl might not be a funeral. It might be a reckoning.
What’s Next for Mercer?
Mercer, meanwhile, finishes its historic season at 9-2 and will begin its FCS playoff run on November 29, 2025. They’ve earned respect. They’re a well-coached team with a dynamic offense. But Saturday showed them what the next level looks like. "They had more speed, more physicality," said Mercer head coach Scott Wachenheim postgame. "We knew the gap. We just didn’t think it’d be this wide." For Auburn, the focus is now on Alabama. For Mercer, it’s on the postseason. Two seasons, one day, two very different futures.Frequently Asked Questions
How did Deuce Knight’s performance compare to other Auburn freshman QB debuts?
Knight’s 401 total yards and six touchdowns were the most by any Auburn freshman in a debut, surpassing the previous record set by Bo Nix in 2018 (282 yards, 3 TDs). He’s the first Auburn QB to throw for two TDs and rush for four in a single game as a starter. His 75-yard TD run was the longest by a Tiger QB since Cam Newton’s 80-yard run in 2010.
Why did Mercer’s offense struggle after the first quarter?
Mercer’s passing attack, ranked No. 1 in FCS, was neutralized by Auburn’s secondary adjustments and pressure from Chris Murray and Robert Woodyard. After the first quarter, Mercer’s quarterback Braden Atkinson was sacked three times and threw two interceptions. The Tigers switched to a hybrid zone-blitz scheme that disrupted timing, forcing Atkinson into hurried throws and poor decisions.
What does this win mean for DJ Durkin’s future as Auburn’s head coach?
While Durkin is still interim, his leadership since taking over after Hugh Freeze’s dismissal has shown marked improvement in discipline and defensive execution. Knight’s breakout, combined with a defense that held a top FCS offense to 17 points, has generated strong internal support. Athletic director Allen Greene has indicated Durkin will be "seriously considered" for the permanent role after the Iron Bowl.
How does Auburn’s 5-6 record still allow them to play in the Iron Bowl?
The Iron Bowl is a conference rivalry game, not a bowl game. It’s played every year regardless of records. Even if Auburn finished 0-12, they’d still host Alabama. The game is scheduled by the SEC and carries immense tradition, media value, and revenue—making it non-negotiable, win or lose.
What’s the significance of Alex McPherson’s 12th straight field goal?
McPherson’s streak ties him for the longest in Auburn history, matching the record set by Daniel Carlson in 2017. His 49-yarder against Mercer was his 28th consecutive field goal from inside 50 yards. In a season where Auburn’s offense was inconsistent, his reliability kept them in games—and on Saturday, his kick extended the lead to 28-17, a crucial psychological blow after Mercer had fought back to within a score.
Will Deuce Knight start against Alabama?
All signs point to yes. Even though Jackson Arnold, the previous starter, is healthy, Durkin has publicly praised Knight’s "poise and execution." Sources close to the program say the coaching staff believes Knight gives them the best chance to compete with Alabama’s defense. If he plays like he did against Mercer, Auburn could make this Iron Bowl the most competitive in years.
