The Auburn Tigers ended their three-game road trip with a 24-10 victory over the Kentucky Wildcats for their first SEC win of the season.

The Tigers went down 10-0 in the first quarter, but tied the score at halftime. The second half was all Auburn as the team ended its four-game skid and improved to 3-5 on the season.

With the game in the rearview mirror, it’s time to grade each team position. These areas of offense and defense are given a letter grade just like in school. No pluses or minuses though.

Defender: B

Payton Thorne had one of his best performances of the season. He was 20-of-26 through the air for 172 yards and a touchdown. He also had the highest completion percentage of the season at 77%. The only thing keeping Thorne from getting an A is the interception he threw.

To run back: A

Auburn couldn’t ask for much more from its running backs than what it got against Kentucky. Jarquez Hunter rushed for 278 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries, blowing a career high. Damari Alston added 38 yards on nine carries.

Wide receiver/tight receiver: B

While Auburn didn’t have an individual receiver take over the game, the unit had a solid day overall. Four Tigers, KeAndre-Lambert Smith, Cam Coleman and Hunter, each caught four passes. Lambert-Smith led in receiving yards with 53 and had the team’s only receiving touchdown. Including Hunter and Alston, eight Tigers had one catch.

Offensive line: B

Kentucky was able to sack Thorne four times and rush him twice. Auburn’s offensive line had no penalties. The two facts combined lead to an average performance. However, the lanes Hunter had to run bumped that performance up to a B.

Defensive line/linebacker: A

Auburn’s defensive front held Kentucky to 70 yards on the ground. The huddle was not called for penalties and accounted for all three of the team’s sacks and five tackles for loss.

Secondary: B

Auburn’s defensive backs held the Wildcats to 154 yards through the air. Kayin Lee intercepted a pass. The only thing keeping the secondary from getting an A is the three penalties on Lee, JC Hart and Kaleb Harris.

Special teams: B

Alex McPherson made his season debut at placekicker after missing most of spring practice and all of summer and fall camp with an illness. He went 1-of-2 on field goal attempts. He attempted a 27-yarder, but missed one from 47 yards. However, Freeze said McPherson will accept attempts from 35 yards and less, so he will have some slack for now.