Auburn’s starting quarterback has had an up-and-down tenure with the Tigers, but beating Alabama would secure his legacy in the program.

Just one week after throwing five touchdown passes, Thorne got off to a splendid start versus Texas A&M. The senior signal-caller completed seven of nine attempts (77.8%) for 190 yards and two scores in the first half against the Aggies. Both touchdown tosses – a 63-yard connection and 15-yard hook up – went to wide receiver Cam Coleman.

After missing practice during Auburn’s bye week due to a shoulder injury, Payton Thorne is expected to start against Louisiana-Monroe, according to a report from 247Sports. Thorne suffered the injury to his throwing shoulder during the second half of Auburn’s loss to Vanderbilt on Nov.

"Most of it's been about just the the mental toughness that he and I have kind of endured together to get through a lot of things," Freeze said.

While it isn't his best game by the numbers, he arguably made his biggest statement in an Auburn uniform against in Saturday's win