Chaos and Injuries at Auburn's College GameDay Event Amid Weather and Crowd Surge

2025-01-26

Auburn students and fans experienced chaos and injuries outside Neville Arena on Saturday morning as they lined up for ESPN’s College GameDay ahead of the highly anticipated matchup between No. 1 Auburn and No. 6 Tennessee. Due to extreme weather conditions, Auburn University prohibited overnight camping, leading to a rush of students when the line opened at 6:30 a.m. Witnesses described the scene as a “huge cattle stampede,” with multiple injuries reported as students pushed forward to secure entry.

Cooper Smith, an Auburn senior, recounted the lack of organization, stating, “People were falling down and getting hurt all over the place.” Another student, Logan Smith, arrived at 3 a.m. but was pushed to the back of the line as the crowd surged forward. He criticized the university for inadequate security and crowd management, calling for accountability. Auburn officials acknowledged the incident, reporting “a few minor injuries” treated by on-site medical staff and EMS. The university is reviewing footage to improve safety measures for future events.

Meanwhile, Auburn’s star player, Johni Broome, returned to the court after missing two games due to an ankle injury. His presence was crucial in Auburn’s 53-51 victory over Tennessee, where he led the team with 16 points and 13 rebounds. The game was a defensive battle, with both teams struggling offensively until Miles Kelly hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 30 seconds left, securing the win for the Tigers. The victory extended Auburn’s undefeated streak in SEC play and solidified their position as the nation’s top-ranked team.

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