AUBURN − Auburn football and Alabama A&M agreed to shorten the second half of their game Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Both the third and fourth quarters were shortened to 10 minutes instead of the usual. The Tigers were up 49 at the half after cruising to a blowout lead over the visiting Bulldogs. The Tigers blocked a Bulldogs punt on the opening drive to extend their lead to 56. They are on track for their biggest margin of victory since a 62-point win over Alabama State in 2021.

The first half went the way of the Tigers in every regard. Payton Thorne had one of his best games going 13 of 21 for 322 yards and four touchdowns, while running for another one. Five star freshman receivers Cam Coleman and Perry Thompson both got their first career scores. Keandre Lambert-Smith led the way for the receivers with two touchdowns.

This isn't the only game of Week 1 of the college football season to go to shortened quarters in the second half, with Arkansas and Arkansas Pine Bluff shortening the second half of Thursday's matchup. The Razorbacks ended up winning by 70. Auburn opens SEC play with Arkansas on Sept. 21.

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This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Auburn football vs Alabama A&M shorten second-half clock in blowout