Hugh Freeze said Auburn was playing sloppy in the first half against Vanderbilt and cited Payton Thorne’s “awful decision” and “sloppy” play as a couple of the reasons.

The Auburn coach made the comments coming off the field at halftime.

Jarquez Hunter had first-quarter scoring runs of 67 and 56 yards to propel Auburn to a quick 14-0 lead. However, the Tigers only managed a 32-yard field goal to end the half.

“Sloppy after the first two or three possessions,” Freeze said. “Payton made an awful decision. We have to trust him to make some of those throws, but he can’t do that to us.”

Vanderbilt punted all six of his first-half possessions, but the Commodores scored on a 5-yard pick 6 from Bryce Cowan of Thorne.

Meanwhile, Auburn had first-and-goal from the 3, but a personal foul nullified a touchdown. Four plays later, the Tigers got their field goal.

“We didn’t get seven there,” he said. “… We’re playing sloppy.”

Freeze explained the goal in the second half.

“We have to win first down,” he said. “Every time we win first down, I think we got points because we can get into our temp and stuff. We have to get in there and figure out our first-day options.”

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.