Deuce Knight Explodes for Six TDs as Auburn Blows Out Mercer 62–17 in Freshman’s Historic First Start

Knight Tallies 401 Total Yards with Four Rushing TDs and Two Passing Scores; Tigers Dominate Second Half Ahead of Iron Bowl Showdown

AUBURN, Ala. | Auburn found its spark — and his name is Deuce Knight. In one of the most electrifying first starts in program history, the true freshman quarterback accounted for six touchdowns and 401 total yards, powering Auburn to a dominant 62–17 win over Mercer on Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Knight dazzled from the opening snap, rushing for four touchdowns and throwing for two, showcasing the dual-threat explosiveness Auburn coaches have raved about for weeks. The victory improves Auburn to 5–6 (1–6 SEC) and sends the Tigers into Iron Bowl week with renewed confidence — and a rising star at quarterback.

Interim head coach DJ Durkin praised Knight’s command and poise.

“The game Deuce had, moving the ball with the throws and the runs — he showed everyone what we’ve been seeing at practice,” Durkin said. “A complete game in all three phases.”

Knight finished 15-of-20 passing for 239 yards and rushed nine times for 162 yards, responsible for more than 70% of Auburn’s total offense.

No. 7 Oregon Outguns No. 15 USC 42–27, Handing Trojans Third Road Loss to Ranked Opponent

Dante Moore Throws for 257 Yards and Two TDs as Ducks Tighten Playoff Push; USC’s CFP Hopes Fade Despite Big Night from Maiava and Lemon

EUGENE, Ore. | No. 15 USC Football saw its College Football Playoff hopes all but disappear Saturday night as No. 7 Oregon powered to a 42–27 victory at Autzen Stadium. Despite a strong outing from quarterback Jayden Maiava and star receiver Makai Lemon, the Trojans (8–3, 6–2 Big Ten) were unable to keep pace with the Ducks’ balanced offensive attack and opportunistic scoring.

Oregon (10–1, 7–1 Big Ten) bolstered its CFP résumé behind Dante Moore’s efficient 257-yard, two-touchdown performance, complementary playmaking from tight end Kenyon Sadiq, and a punishing ground effort from Noah Whittington, who ran for 104 yards and a crucial fourth-quarter touchdown.

The loss continued USC’s decade-long drought in Eugene—the Trojans have not won there since 2011—and extended Oregon’s current win streak in the series to four straight.

USC STRIKES FIRST, OREGON ANSWERS IMMEDIATELY

USC opened the game with promise as Maiava found Lemon on an 8-yard sprint toward the pylon to take a 7–0 lead. Lemon, who entered the night ranked second nationally in receiving yards per game, again showed his elite versatility.

But the Ducks wasted no time responding. Freshman running back Jordon Davison tied the game on an 11-yard touchdown run, and Moore soon after connected with Sadiq for a red-zone strike to take a 14–7 lead.