Bryum Brown scores the go-ahead touchdown late, while Winters’ game-saving tackle on a two-point try seals Alex Golesh’s first victory as Auburn coach
The Tigers survived Baylor 17-16 on Saturday night in the Aflac Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, scoring the go-ahead touchdown late and then stopping the Bears inches short of the goal line on a two-point conversion attempt with 11 seconds remaining.
Quarterback Bryum Brown broke a 10-10 tie with an 11-yard touchdown run after directing a 10-play, 75-yard drive in the final minutes. Then linebacker Eric Winters delivered the defensive play of the night, tackling Baylor tight end Matthew Klopfenstein just short of the end zone to preserve Auburn’s one-point victory.
It marked Auburn’s first one-point win since the 2010 Iron Bowl and gave Golesh a dramatic victory in his debut.
Bryum Brown Delivers When Auburn Needs It Most
Brown’s biggest drive came after Baylor tied the game 10-10 with 4:34 remaining.
Facing third-and-5, Brown extended the possession by scrambling and connecting with Chas Nimrod for 26 yards to the Baylor 18-yard line.
Three plays later, Brown took the snap from the shotgun, followed his blocking to the left and powered into the end zone from 11 yards out.
The touchdown put Auburn ahead 17-10 and sent the predominantly Auburn crowd of 55,068 into celebration.
Brown completed 26 of 35 passes for 259 yards and added the decisive rushing touchdown.
His performance was not flawless, but in the biggest moment of the game, he delivered exactly what Auburn needed.
Eric Winters Makes the Play of the Game
Baylor refused to go away.
Facing fourth-and-10 on its final possession, quarterback DJ Lagway found Gavin Freeman for a 28-yard gain to the Auburn 36. Another deep completion moved the Bears to the Auburn 4.
Three plays later, on fourth-and-goal from the 5, Lagway again found Freeman for a touchdown, cutting Auburn’s lead to 17-16 with just 11 seconds left.
Baylor elected to go for two rather than play for overtime.
Lagway completed a short pass to Klopfenstein near the goal line, but Winters diagnosed the play immediately, closed the gap, and wrapped him up inches short.
Game over.
The stop capped an outstanding night for Winters, who finished with 11 tackles and two tackles for loss.
He also helped force a first-quarter turnover, knocking the ball loose from Lagway before Kaleb Harris recovered.
Auburn Defense Creates Early Momentum
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— Auburn Football (@AuburnFootball) September 6, 2026
The Tigers’ defense made life difficult for Baylor from the start.
Preseason All-American Xavier Atkins recorded a sack almost immediately, dropping Lagway for a 7-yard loss.
Later in the opening quarter, Winters helped force Lagway’s fumble, giving Auburn its first takeaway.
The Tigers converted that turnover into points.
Brown connected with Jake Johnson for 10 yards and Jeremiah Koger for 30, setting up Alex McPherson for a 43-yard field goal.
McPherson’s 15th consecutive successful field goal gave Auburn a 3-0 lead.
Auburn’s defense then produced another takeaway when Jared Smith dropped into coverage and intercepted Lagway.
Those early turnovers helped Auburn control the game before Baylor began finding offensive rhythm.
Jeremiah Cobb Gives Auburn First Touchdown of 2026
The Tigers extended their lead in the second quarter.
That set up Jeremiah Cobb, who scored on a 15-yard touchdown run to give Auburn a 10-0 advantage with 3:51 remaining before halftime.
Baylor answered quickly.
Lagway converted a fourth-and-3 with a 15-yard completion to Louis Brown IV before finding him again for a 14-yard touchdown.
The score cut Auburn’s lead to 10-7.
The Tigers had an opportunity to add points before halftime, driving to the Baylor 18, but Brown threw his second interception of the quarter to end the threat.
Auburn Controls Third Quarter but Cannot Extend Lead
The Tigers dominated large portions of the third quarter without turning that advantage into points.
Auburn ran 24 plays for 111 yards and crossed midfield on all three possessions.
But a missed field goal and stalled drives prevented the Tigers from extending their advantage.
Baylor, meanwhile, drove to the Auburn 16 before Rayshawn Pleasant broke up a fourth-down pass, preserving the 10-7 lead.
The Bears eventually tied the game in the fourth quarter, setting the stage for Brown’s decisive drive and Winters’ dramatic finish.
Tigers Show Resilience in Golesh Debut
Auburn’s victory was far from perfect.
The Tigers turned the ball over, missed scoring opportunities, and allowed Baylor to remain within one possession throughout the night.
But Auburn also displayed the kind of resilience Golesh will likely want to define his first season.
The Tigers created takeaways, responded after Baylor tied the game, and made the most important defensive stop of the night with the game on the line.
Elijah Melendez led Auburn with 12 tackles, while Winters added 11.
The defense’s ability to force turnovers and stand firm in critical situations ultimately proved decisive.
For a program entering a new chapter, the manner of the victory may matter almost as much as the result.
Auburn did not dominate.
It endured.
Auburn Turns Attention to Southern Miss
The Tigers return home next Saturday to face Southern Miss in their home opener.
After escaping Atlanta with a one-point victory, Auburn enters Week 2 at 1-0 with momentum, confidence, and a dramatic first win under Golesh.
For Brown, Winters and the Tigers, it was not a clean opening night.
It was something more memorable.
It was a win they had to earn.
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-- By Masakela P. Rawls
© Copyright 2026 JWT Communications. All rights reserved. This article cannot be republished, rebroadcast, rewritten, or distributed in any form without written permission.
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