AFLAC KICKOFF GAME: BAYLOR VS. AUBURN

September 5, 2026

Byrum Brown

Champ Anthony

Auburn Tigers

Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Postgame Press Conference

Q. Byrum, what was going through your mind before that last drive for the touchdown run? You'd obviously had those picks, and had been a tough day for the offense, but you guys were able to walk it down the field.

BYRUM BROWN: Like Coach Golesh said, just play the next play. That was our mentality going into the game. Every drive it was play the next play. Follow Cobb. He led me to the promised land and protect the ball as I go into the end zone. That was really it.

Q. Champ, what did you think of Eric's final play there? He's a guy that you mentored the last couple years. You spoke highly of him in fall camp. What did you see out of him in that play and his performance today?

CHAMP ANTHONY: Been saying it all fall camp, all spring, follow the real, follow the real. He just made a play. It wasn't even his, he just made a play. That's what real ballplayers do, man. That's one of them guys who's going to come here and lead the defense in the times coming and through the season.

Q. Byrum, these guys have talked about all preseason how much they believe in you. They talked about how that's our guy, and to do that and deliver and to win a close game, how big is that for the development of a team as you guys move forward?

BYRUM BROWN: It's huge for a team. It shows that real connection. When one's struggling, the other side steps up. When they're struggling, we step up. That's really complementary football. That's what Coach Golesh and Coach Gordon are harping on and Coach Durkin as well. Just playing for each other. Shout out to the defense for getting stops when we needed it and glad we could capitalize it.

Q. Byrum, what did you make of how you guys were able to run the ball today, and that last drive, what led to you guys being able to push the ball consistently down the field and use the run to get the ball in the end zone?

BYRUM BROWN: The tempo wears on you as you get into the drive. Allow our big guys up front to lean on them and allows our run game to go well. It allows our throw game to go well as well. So we have all day to throw and just find the open guy, and that's ultimately what the job is to do.

Q. Byrum, what does it say about you and this offense that you plug in Plazz and Ellis at guard and they come off the bench and you're able to run right behind them and score that big touchdown there?

BYRUM BROWN: It's next man up. We all train and prepare for moments like these, and when their number was called, they stepped up. Glad we could capitalize with them on the field, and they just did their job. That's what Coach Gordon and Coach Golesh harp on.

Q. Champ, after all the success you had last year on defense, to come out here and start the way you did and to continue to make defensive stops after defensive stops, what does that say about your continuation and preparation to come out here and make a statement early?

CHAMP ANTHONY: That's just our coaching. We play hard defense and run the ball. That's what we do. No matter what's going on, who is where, what's going on, Auburn is going to play great defense. That's what we do. We hang our hat on that.

Q. Byrum, you've had the rapport with Keshaun for a couple years now, gave him a couple big drive stars, including the game-winning drive. What's that relationship with him like, to have him back here at Auburn ready to go with that offense?

BYRUM BROWN: Shout out to Key. He's been one of the most consistent on a day-to-day basis. His process truly speaks for itself. Having that rapport, having that connection. Put it anywhere in his vicinity, he's going to catch it. I have all the faith and belief in him that he'll come down with it. He keeps doing what he's doing it, and I'll get the ball to him.

Q. Byrum, I asked you at media days how excited you were to roll the trees. Will you be participating in rolling the trees tonight?

BYRUM BROWN: Yes, ma'am, I definitely will be there.

Q. When Coach Golesh asked you all to be captains for this game, what was the response you guys had? He had told us earlier in the week that he hadn't decided on who the captains were going to be.

CHAMP ANTHONY: It's always a blessing to be chosen to lead this team and to step out there, especially for the coin toss. Like not every football player gets to do that. Not every player gets to play college football, but not everybody gets to be a captain of a college football team. I take that with pride and honor, and I try to play my heart out for the boys because they lean on me and waiting for me to lead.

BYRUM BROWN: I'm grateful to be selected. Coming in as a newer guy, just to earn that respect from the teammates and the coaches, just truly a blessing. I'm happy that I could lead this team today.

Q. Byrum, how did you keep your offense composed when points were difficult to find?

BYRUM BROWN: Just playing the next play. Things aren't going to go right at all times during the game. So just playing the next play and having a clap-and-clear mentality. If something goes bad, clap and clear and go to the next play. Thank you for the question.