Atlanta, GA—The 2026 Aflac Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium turned into a defensive battle and ultimately a nail-biter, as Auburn held off Baylor 17–16 in a game that wasn’t decided until the final seconds.
Auburn carried a 10–7 advantage into halftime, but Baylor refused to go away. The Bears moved the football effectively, finishing with 436 total yards compared with Auburn’s 389, while the defenses created five combined turnovers. Baylor quarterback DJ Lagway threw for 333 yards and two touchdowns, despite battling an ankle injury that clearly affected him as the game progressed.
The physical nature of the contest was evident throughout the afternoon, with injuries interrupting the action and Lagway’s ankle becoming one of the biggest concerns. At halftime, he was reportedly helped down the tunnel by teammates after playing much of the first half with the ankle heavily taped. Still, he returned and helped put Baylor in position for a dramatic comeback.
The real drama came in the fourth quarter. Baylor tied the game at 10–10 on a 22-yard field goal before Auburn quarterback Byrum Brown answered with an 11-yard touchdown run, putting the Tigers ahead 17–10 with just over three minutes remaining.
Baylor had one final answer.
With only 13 seconds remaining, Lagway connected with Gavin Freeman for a five-yard touchdown, cutting Auburn’s advantage to a single point, 17–16. Rather than settle for the extra point and a possible overtime, Baylor went for the win with a two-point conversion.
For a moment, it appeared the Bears might have pulled it off. The play went to replay review, but the ruling stood: the conversion was unsuccessful. Auburn recovered the ensuing onside kick and escaped Atlanta with a one-point victory.
As the final seconds ticked away, the drama inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium wasn’t the only concern. Severe weather developing across the Atlanta area became an increasing issue late in the game, with the threat of thunderstorms, damaging winds, frequent lightning and heavy rainfall hanging over downtown. While the action remained protected beneath the roof of Mercedes-Benz Stadium, attention quickly shifted to the conditions outside as thousands of fans prepared to leave. The approaching weather added another layer of urgency to an already tense finish, making a dramatic night in Atlanta even more memorable.
It was the definition of a nail-biter—physical, emotional and undecided until the final seconds. Auburn walked away 1–0, but Baylor showed plenty of fight, especially with an injured quarterback leading a final drive that came within inches of changing the outcome. Between the injuries, the last-second two-point attempt and severe weather looming outside the stadium, this Aflac Kickoff Game delivered drama right down to the very end.
Up Next:
Auburn will return home Saturday to face Southern Miss as the Tigers look to build on Golesh’s first victory.
Baylor will also be back on its home field Saturday when the Bears host Prairie View A&M.
