Auburn’s Road to Redemption
Auburn football endured an uncharacteristic 0‑9 record in 2025, a season punctuated by injuries that sidelined key contributors such as Coy Grossner, who fractured his hand, and Peyton Campbell, who suffered an ACL tear.
The program’s response has been to lean on experience. Twenty‑two varsity players return, including seniors Chance Crissey and Gabe Marquette, giving the team a foundation of familiarity and continuity.
Ryan Gardner, a 2010 Auburn alumnus, has taken on the role of rebuilding confidence and leadership. His approach emphasizes accountability and a clear vision for how the offense and defense should operate.
On the offensive side, Chance Crissey will again headline the backfield after posting 1,181 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns the previous year, while senior transfer quarterback Beau Chance adds a new dimension to the passing attack.
Defensively, the staff hopes to offset the loss of injured players by fostering depth and cohesion, ensuring that younger athletes can step into larger roles without a steep learning curve.
Perhaps most telling is the shift in mentality among the roster. Players describe feeling stronger, faster and more mature, qualities they believe will enable them to lead teammates through a schedule that could finally deliver the winning record the program has chased for years.