AUBURN, Ala. -- — Jackson Arnold and No. 24 Auburn are undefeated after three games. No one would like to see the Tigers get to 4-0 more than Arnold.

Arnold accounted for three touchdowns, including two rushing, and Auburn beat South Alabama 31-15 on Saturday. His next stop is a return trip to Oklahoma, where he spent the last two years and started 10 games in 2024.

Arnold, though, preferred to focus on returning to practice and getting ready for the 13th-ranked Sooners.

The Tigers enjoyed a balanced attack in their “White Out” game — all-white uniforms at home for the first time in 15 years — and finished with 195 yards rushing and 142 passing.

“I was probably a bit too conservative, up two scores and trying to conserve clock,” Auburn coach Hugh Freeze said. “But I thought there were a lot of good things offensively.”

Jeremiah Cobb continued to find success in Damari Alston’s absence, rushing for 119 yards and a touchdown. Cobb has a career-high four rushing touchdowns through three games.

"Having a guy like Cobb, that I know can run and get a dirty five yards, just gives me peace of mind,” Arnold said. “In the RPO game, there isn’t any indecision at all. If I hand that ball off, I know we’re going to get four or five yards.”

Cam Coleman reeled in the first touchdown of his 2025 season, opening up the scoring for Auburn. Eric Singleton Jr. had a team-leading six receptions for 65 yards.

South Alabama’s Bishop Davenport threw for 170 yards and two touchdowns but also had an interception. The Jaguars (1-2) had success moving the football and finished with 310 yards, but penalties, stalled drives and defensive miscues prevented the game from being tightly contested.

“I give credit again to South Alabama, but we’ve certainly got to fit the run better,” Freeze said. “There’s no question that we could play better than we did today. I’m not sure anyone would say that we played to the standard we need to win games in the following weeks.”

Poll implications

Auburn found itself ranked in the latest AP Top 25 college football poll for the first time in the Freeze era. With this victory, the Tigers could move up.

Key injuries

Auburn defensive end Amaris Williams separated a shoulder. Auburn cornerback Jay Crawford sustained a knee-to-knee injury. Auburn's Singleton suffered a hip pointer in the second half.

The takeaway

South Alabama: Coming off back-to-back losses, the Jaguars will have an opportunity to get back on track in Sun Belt Conference play.

Auburn: The Tigers, ranked for the first time since 2021, are playing their best football in years but will see a steep increase in competition as they take on four consecutive ranked teams.

“The goal was to be 1-0 today and 3-0 heading into conference play,” Freeze said. “Our team achieved that.”

Up next

South Alabama: The Jaguars return home to Hancock Whitney Stadium next Saturday to take on Coastal Carolina.

Auburn: The Tigers open SEC play at No. 13 Oklahoma next Saturday, with Arnold facing his former team.

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