It wasn’t just a win — it was a statement. On Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 1:00 pm Eastern Time, Auburn Tigers quarterback Deuce Knight turned Jordan-Hare Stadium into his personal highlight reel, throwing and running for six touchdowns in a 62-17 drubbing of the Mercer Bears. The game, played at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama, wasn’t just the Tigers’ final home game before the Iron Bowl — it was the moment a freshman announced himself as the future of the program.
A Start That Shook the Stadium
Seventeen seconds into the game, Deuce Knight burst through the Mercer line on a 75-yard scamper — the fastest touchdown in Auburn history to open a game. The crowd erupted. Mercer, ranked No. 6 in the FCS and riding a nine-game winning streak, looked stunned. Their offense, which had carved up opponents all season, needed nearly four minutes to answer. Running back CJ Miller punched in from a yard out, but the Bears’ momentum stalled as quickly as it had begun.
By the end of the first quarter, Knight had added a 51-yard run, turning what was supposed to be a tune-up into a showcase. Mercer’s quarterback, Braden Atkinson, kept them alive with a methodical 13-play, 70-yard drive capped by an 8-yard TD pass to Adjatay Dabbs. For a moment, it looked like Mercer might pull off the upset — until Knight answered again.
First Half Domination
With 25 seconds left in the half, Knight found wide receiver Cam Coleman on a slant for a 10-yard touchdown. The drive lasted just four plays. That made it 35-14. Knight had accounted for four touchdowns in 27 minutes of play. He finished the half with 227 total yards — and the game was still half over.
What followed was the moment the game truly slipped away from Mercer. Early in the third quarter, Elijah Melendez, Auburn’s linebacker, read Atkinson’s eyes, jumped the route, and returned an interception 41 yards for a touchdown. YouTube highlights called it "the moment the game blew open." Mercer had held the ball for over 20 minutes and led 14-7 early. Now they were down 42-14. The Bears’ offense, so efficient all season, went silent.
Statistical Imbalance, Emotional Reality
Auburn racked up 547 total yards — 277 on the ground, 270 through the air. Knight finished with 401 total yards: 221 passing, 180 rushing. He didn’t just break records — he rewrote them. His six touchdowns tied the Auburn single-game record, last set by Jason Campbell in 2003. And unlike Campbell, Knight did it as a freshman, in his sixth start.
Mercer’s numbers told a different story. They had 338 total yards — 223 passing, 115 rushing — but their 37 minutes and 20 seconds of time of possession meant nothing. They moved the ball, sure. Eight of 19 third-down conversions. One for one on fourth downs. But when it mattered, they couldn’t finish. Atkinson threw two interceptions — one of them a pick-six — and looked rattled after the third quarter.
Defensively, Robert Woodyard led Auburn with eight tackles. Chris Murray had two sacks, one a strip-sack that led to a turnover. Auburn forced three turnovers total. Mercer? Just one. And it came on the game’s biggest play.
What This Means for Auburn
At 5-6 (1-6 SEC), the Tigers are still on the bubble. But with this win, bowl eligibility is no longer a pipe dream — it’s a possibility. All they need now is to beat Alabama Crimson Tide next Saturday in the Iron Bowl. A win there would make them 6-6. And in a year where the SEC is thin on bowl-eligible teams, that’s enough.
"Deuce is the real deal," said head coach Hugh Freeze in his postgame presser. "He’s got poise beyond his years. He doesn’t look like a freshman. He looks like a guy who’s been doing this for five years."
And here’s the twist: Knight didn’t even play the entire fourth quarter. Auburn’s backups got extended snaps — and still scored. The offense looked crisp, balanced, and dangerous. With Knight returning next season and redshirt freshman Daniels waiting in the wings, Auburn’s quarterback situation, once a liability, is now their greatest strength.
What This Means for Mercer
Mercer’s season isn’t over — it’s just changing shape. The Bears, who entered the game 9-1 and ranked sixth in the FCS, still earned a spot in the FCS Playoffs. Their first-round game is scheduled for Saturday, November 29, 2025, at a location yet to be announced. Their nine-game winning streak is gone. Their perfect season? Over. But their season isn’t. They’ve got a chance to make a run. And if they do, this loss to Auburn won’t define them — it’ll fuel them.
"We didn’t play our best," said Mercer head coach Mark Hudspeth. "But we’re not done. We’ve got a team that’s been through everything. This is just one game. We’ll be ready."
Looking Ahead
Auburn’s final challenge? The Alabama Crimson Tide. No. 10 in the nation. A historic rivalry. And a chance to end a disappointing season on a high note. If they win, they’re bowl-bound. If they lose? They’ll still have Knight — and a future that suddenly looks bright.
Mercer? They’ll head into the playoffs as underdogs. But with a quarterback in Atkinson who’s thrown for over 2,000 yards this season and a defense that held top FCS teams to under 20 points all year, they’re dangerous. Don’t count them out.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Deuce Knight’s performance compare to past Auburn quarterbacks?
Deuce Knight tied the Auburn single-game record for touchdowns with six, matching Jason Campbell’s 2003 performance against Louisiana Tech. Unlike Campbell, who threw for 337 yards and three TDs that day, Knight added 180 rushing yards — making him the first Auburn QB to reach 400 total yards and six TDs in a game. He’s also the first freshman to do it in program history.
Why did Mercer dominate time of possession but lose so badly?
Mercer held the ball for nearly 37 minutes, but their drives often stalled in the red zone. They converted 8 of 19 third downs — decent — but went 0-for-4 in the red zone and turned the ball over twice. Auburn’s offense, meanwhile, was explosive. Every time they touched the ball, they scored. Efficiency beat volume — and Knight’s big plays turned short drives into touchdowns.
Can Auburn still make a bowl game?
Yes — but only if they beat No. 10 Alabama in the Iron Bowl next Saturday. A win would give them a 6-6 record, making them eligible for a bowl berth. With the SEC’s lack of bowl-eligible teams this year, even a 6-6 Auburn team is likely to get an invite. A loss means they finish 5-7 and miss out for the third straight year.
What’s next for Mercer in the FCS Playoffs?
Mercer’s first-round FCS Playoff game is set for Saturday, November 29, 2025, with the location still TBD. As a 9-2 team, they’re projected as a No. 7 or 8 seed. They’ll likely face a team like North Dakota State or South Dakota State — both heavy favorites. But with their experience and defensive toughness, they’re capable of pulling off an upset — especially if Atkinson plays like he did against Auburn early.
Is Deuce Knight a Heisman candidate next year?
He’s not on the radar yet — but he should be. As a freshman, Knight’s 401-yard, six-TD performance against a ranked FCS team is the kind of stat line that gets noticed. If he improves his accuracy and reduces turnovers next season, he’ll be in the conversation. His dual-threat ability and poise under pressure make him one of the most intriguing QB prospects in the SEC for 2026.
How did Auburn’s defense respond after giving up two early scores?
After Mercer took a 14-7 lead, Auburn’s defense tightened up. They held the Bears to just 10 points over the final 50 minutes, forcing three turnovers and limiting them to 21 yards rushing after halftime. Linebacker Elijah Melendez’s pick-six was the turning point — but it was the entire unit’s discipline that shut down Mercer’s rhythm. They didn’t panic. They adjusted.