AUBURN, Ala. — EDITOR'S NOTE: The video in the player above is from 2019
Bo Nix passed for 275 yards and three touchdowns in just over a half and Auburn gave new coach Bryan Harsin a 60-10 cakewalk in his debut against Akron in the season opener for both teams.
It was a promising beginning even if it came against five-touchdown underdogs, especially for an offense and quarterback that had drawn some criticism the past couple of years. Nix was nearly flawless his first time running the offense of Harsin and coordinator Mike Bobo, going 20-of-22 passing while hitting a couple of wide-open receivers for touchdowns.
The Zips trailed 37-0 at halftime and 53-0 heading into the fourth quarter, finally avoiding the shutout on a 4-yard TD pass from DJ Irons to Jonzell Norrils. The redshirt sophomore Irons didn't start the game, but completed all 13 of his attempts for 129 yards and that score.
With the defeat, UA has now lost 23 of its last 24 games dating back to 2018, the worst stretch in program history. Head coach Tom Arth is also just 1-18 in his third year leading the team.
Akron will attempt to add another to that win column next Saturday in its home opener against Temple. It will be the first time fans are allowed inside Infocision Stadium in almost two years.
Watch 3News sports anchor Jim Donovan's June 2020 interview with Tom Arth in the player below: