AUBURN — Auburn football benched quarterback Hank Brown after a three-interception first half during the Arkansas game Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Payton Thorne got the second half start after being benched for Brown the previous week against New Mexico. Auburn finished with 72 passing yards in the first half as it trailed 7-0 at the break.

Trent Dilfer was hardly surprised when his old quarterback Hank Brown made a mostly pristine starting debut for Auburn, avoiding blunders even during stretches where heavy rain was falling.

After Hank Brown completed 17 of his 25 passes for 235 yards and four TDs in a win over New Mexico, the QB is excited for the challenge to increase.