Alex Golesh says "I’ve got to do better" after a one-point victory over Baylor in his first-ever game as the head coach of the Auburn football program.
Saturday's game came down to one play to save Auburn's season opener against Baylor; Eric Winters wrapped up Baylor tight end Matthew Klopfenstein perfectly on the Bears' two-point conversion play with 0:09 remaining to preserve the 17-16 lead and ultimately the win for Auburn. The game was an ugly one, leading head coach Alex Golesh to say immediately after the game to ESPN, 'We've got a lot to clean up'.
It was not the performance many had expected, and definitely not hoped, for the debut of Golesh and this 2026 Auburn football team. Quarterback Byrum Brown didn't look comfortable in the ballgame
for the Tigers. He finished the game with three interceptions, with the third especially being a rough one to watch.
Though he did not play well, something that may be refreshing to Auburn fans is that Golesh took accountability for his quarterback.
"I blame us more than Byrum," Golesh said when speaking about his offensive staff and himself. "We tried to force some things down the field. I take more blame than Byrum. I’ve got to do better."
That is accountability that was missing the last three seasons on the Plains from former head coach Hugh Freeze. Golesh seems to get it and wants to protect his quarterback. The two do understand that it was not how it should have gone.
The Tigers now will prepare this week for a visiting Southern Miss team next Saturday, Sept. 12, in Jordan-Hare for Golesh's first home game. Auburn improves to 10 straight wins in a season opener.
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This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: Auburn's Alex Golesh delivers brutal self-evaluation after Week 1 win
