MARLER: In Case You Missed It, Week 3

By Chris Marler

There were a million games on yesterday, so it’s unreasonable to think that you caught everything. That’s what we’re here for. Here’s everything you may not have seen in the SEC, in case you missed it.

Hank Brown ended Payton Thorne’s career 

Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze said after last week’s Cal debacle that Payton Thorne would continue as Auburn’s starting quarterback. Friday morning he changed his mind and tabbed Hank Brown the starter.

Brown went 17-for-25 for 235 yards and four touchdowns without an interception.

More importantly, for the first time in two seasons, Auburn didn’t lose to a team from New Mexico. That’s called *growth*. But don’t worry Payton Thorne, it’s not like the crowd was really excited about him being named the new starter…

Jordan-Hare Stadium ERUPTS as Hank Brown is announced as QB1 pic.twitter.com/uiZZD0cUJP

— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) September 14, 2024

USC students troll themselves with cardio 

South Carolina fans went on an emotional roller coaster with their team that would rival most seasons of The Bachelor.

After blowing multiple two score leads to LSU, South Carolina looked to have finally slammed the door shut on the Tigers with a pick six by Nick Emmanwori.

Gen Zers, flooded the ramps in the corner endzones of Williams-Brice sprinting, or attempting to sprint at least, down to rush the field on what would have been a massive upset win at home vs No. 16 LSU.

USC Students were rushing down to storm the field….

And then lost.

Via- Chaz Higgins pic.twitter.com/2OSxN8M3zT

— Boot Krewe Media (@BootKreweMedia) September 14, 2024

For the second time in the game, the Gamecock pick six was called back. And USC missed what would have been a game tying field goal as time expired. But hey, at least Braxton, Breighlynn, and Braighxlynne got their steps in.

Vandy loses in the most Vandy way possible 

Vandy took a 2-0 record down to the ATL to play Georgia State as a nearly double digit favorite. This felt like free money, and shockingly…it wasn’t. Vandy found themselves in a dog fight early, losing by a little league world series score of 12-3 for most of the first half. In the second half they were trailing 29-17 with under three minutes to go when Diego Pavia put the team on his back. They pulled within five points, then forced a three and out to get the ball back with 1:54 left and the ball inside the Georgia State 40 yard line.

Vandy got not one but two personal foul calls in their favor to get down to the red zone before they punched in the go ahead score to take the lead 32-29.

That should’ve been the story. Vandy comes from behind in dramatic fashion to start the season 3-0 and cover their season win total (of 2.5 wins) midway through September.

Instead they gave up a 7-play, 75-yard drive to Georgia State and lost 36-32. To be fair, the Panthers were coming in hot off a three-point win over UT-Chattanooga. Just brutal.

Is Vandy back? pic.twitter.com/jN5msZwchf

— Bussin’ With The Boys (@BussinWTB) September 15, 2024

Mark Stoops is a weenie??

Mark Stoops had the No. 1 team on the ropes for four quarters Saturday night in Lexington. The Cats had a 6-3 lead at the half and held UGA to just 65 total yards in the first 30 minutes. Late in the 4th, while UGA was clinging to a 13-12 lead, Kentucky faced a 4th & 8 from midfield with three minutes to go AND ALL THREE TIMEOUTS.

Mark Stoops willingly punted the football away to Georgia, and this will shock you guys…never got a chance to win the game afterwards. UGA won the game 13-12 and beat Kentucky for the 15th straight time.

Mark Stoops defends his decision to punt the ball with 3 minutes to play. pic.twitter.com/ARjrbS9f3R

— KSR (@KSRonX) September 15, 2024

Josh Heupel is a jerk, and Tennessee is winning the natty

Ok, there’s a chance that neither or only one of these is true, but it could also very well be both by the end of the season. Tennessee beat the absolute brakes off Kent State, 71-0, Saturday night. It was 65-0 at the half, and the Vols outgained the Flashes 541 to 23 in total yards gained.

But the most absurd part of this game came in the very first quarter when, while up 30-0, Josh Heupel decided to onside kick.

The Vols recovered, and then scored eight plays later to go up 37-0. Goodness, Joshua.

Tennessee is CRUEL for this onside kick up 30-0 pic.twitter.com/PSb1XJyP0D

— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) September 15, 2024