Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze had high hopes of leading his team to an SEC-opening win over Arkansas on Saturday, with quarterback Hank Brown playing a major role in the outcome. However, it was proven that Brown may not be ready for the bright lights of SEC competition.

Arkansas wide receiver Andrew Armstrong (2) attempts to break a tackle by Auburn linebacker Eugene Asante (9) during the first quarter in both teams' Southeastern Conference opener at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Hank Layton)

Auburn has yet to have good quarterback play against Power 4 teams over the last two seasons. It made changes at wide receiver, and the improvement there was no more evident than in Penn State transfer KeAndre Lambert-Smith’s 156-yard and two-touchdown performance.