Hugh Freeze Frustrated by Narrow Losses: ‘It’s Sickening Because We Could Be Sitting Here with One Loss’
Auburn suffered yet another painful defeat Saturday night, falling 23–17 in double overtime to Missouri — the team’s fourth consecutive loss, all coming against ranked SEC opponents.
While facing tough competition might offer some context, it’s little consolation for fans who hoped Hugh Freeze’s arrival would quickly restore Auburn to SEC contention. So far, that turnaround hasn’t materialized, and pressure on Freeze is clearly mounting.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Freeze didn’t hide his frustration.
“It’s sickening because we could be sitting here with one loss,” he said, per AL.com’s Michael Casagrande. And he has a point — Auburn has lost three of its last four games by a single score, including last week’s collapse against Georgia after leading in the first half.
Freeze Acknowledges the Stakes
Freeze made it clear he understands the expectations and the urgency.
“We all know what we signed up for,” he said, via Justin Hokanson of On3.
“I know we fit what Auburn is all about. But Auburn is also about winning football. … We’ve upgraded the talent level, but at the end of the day, you have to win games.”
Now in his third season, Freeze holds a 14–18 overall record at Auburn, with just five wins in 20 SEC games — a mark that doesn’t inspire confidence in a program with high expectations and a history of making coaching changes when necessary.
Missed Opportunities Haunt the Tigers
Saturday’s loss was especially bitter because Auburn had several chances to seal a victory. In the first overtime, the Tigers moved backward on offense, then missed a field goal. Missouri also missed its kick, giving Auburn a second chance — but the offense once again faltered.
After Missouri finally scored in double overtime, Auburn needed a touchdown to stay alive but failed to convert on fourth down, ending the game and intensifying the spotlight on Freeze’s job security.
With the season slipping away, Freeze knows he needs more than close calls to keep his seat from getting even hotter. Auburn’s fan base — and administration — expects results, not just potential.
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