Auburn’s defense is heading into its SEC opener with Florida knowing exactly what’s coming: a quarterback who has already flashed big-time numbers and is about to take his first road test in league play.
Florida’s Aaron Philo will make his first start in an SEC road game Saturday against the Tigers, and Auburn coach Alex Golesh isn’t buying the idea that the moment will be too big for him. Philo transferred from Georgia Tech, where he appeared in three games and made one start against Gardner-Webb during the 2025 season. As a freshman, he played in five games, including the Birmingham Bowl.
Through Florida’s first two games, Philo has put up 517 passing yards, five touchdowns and one interception while adding two rushing scores. He also enters the matchup with some of the best numbers in the conference, ranking third in the SEC and seventh in the FBS in passer rating at 214.1, second in the SEC and 12th nationally in completion percentage at 76.2%, and tied for fourth in the SEC in passing touchdowns.
“I think really, really polished. Now, this will obviously be a big test for him.
But he’s played in a ton of games,” Golesh said on Wednesday. “The whole narrative of he hasn’t started a game.
He’s played in a ton of games at his previous spot, and I got a ton of respect for that kid. I think he’s really accurate and poised.
The whole young thing, I think it’s all just reps. And I would imagine he’s just going to keep getting better and better.
It’s our job in a big way to affect him.”
That challenge lands on an Auburn secondary that has already been tested early. In wins over Baylor and Southern Miss, the Tigers have allowed 513 yards and 204 yards after catch through the air.
Defensive coordinator DJ Durkin said the coverage issues are something Auburn expects to tighten up now that conference play is here.
“I think in the league we play in, every week, there are matchups that are going to be attacked, for sure,” Durkin said. “As always, we’re going to mix up our coverages, what we do and how we do it.
But our guys are very confident in their ability to play. It all goes hand in hand.
It’s not just coverage for a DB. What was the rush?
How did the rush affect the quarterback? How much time did he have?
Where’s he throwing it from? It’s team defense.
Rush and coverage always work together. Our job as coaches is to put a plan together where those things will complement each other.
Our players, they understand that. They’re ready to answer that when their number is called.”
Auburn and Florida kick off at 6 p.m. on ESPN.
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Baylor Fans Have Plenty To Debate After That Auburn Loss
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Gavin Freeman gave Baylor a true spark with 12 catches for 154 yards, and DJ Lagways debut added another layer to the conversation even before the ankle injury limited what he could do. The close finish, the failed two-point attempt in the final seconds and the national audience of 4.24 million viewers turned this into one of those openers that lingers, because the result was clear even if the questions around the Bears are still settling in. [Read more 🡒]