Auburn QB Jackson Arnold set for high-stakes homecoming against Sooners

Jackson Arnold isn’t shying away from the spotlight as Auburn’s unbeaten start collides with his Oklahoma homecoming. The sophomore quarterback insists there’s no outside noise distractions as he prepares to lead the Tigers into Norman.

Arnold guided Auburn to a 31-15 win over South Alabama with a steady, balanced performance. He threw for 142 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 50 yards and two more scores, giving the Tigers a dual-threat spark as they improved to 3-0.

Walk. It. In. TOUCHDOWN AUBURN! 🦅 pic.twitter.com/WXi8K1WOYl

He credited his offensive line for keeping him clean against South Alabama’s pressure. “They played their butts off again,” Arnold said. “Fantastic in the running game and fantastic in the passing game. They picked up blitzes phenomenally. I’m proud of them.”

Arnold leaned heavily on running back Jeremiah Cobb, who posted his second consecutive 100-yard game. “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, if there’s any indecision at all, if I hand that ball off, I know we’re going to get four or five yards.”

His connection with receiver Eric Singleton Jr. continues to grow. Singleton caught six passes for 65 yards, moving the chains at key moments. “He has a knack of getting open,” Arnold said. “That’s a guy I can trust on normal downs and third downs too to go and run his route the correct way and find space.”

Now, the spotlight shifts to Norman, where Arnold will face the Sooners in his home state. He downplayed the emotions, keeping his response businesslike.

“I’m not on social media either, so there’s no noise for me,” Arnold said. “I’m just worried about going to practice every day and being the best version of myself. Watching tape, watching OU, just locking in and doing my job throughout the week. It’s nothing more than that. It’s a job for us. I’m going to go in every day and attack it, make every day my best day.”

For Auburn’s quarterback, the trip home doubles as the biggest test of his young career.

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