College Football

Auburn QB Payton Thorne gets Venmo requests from angry fans after brutal performances

Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne’s Venmo has been blowing up — and it hasn’t been his teammates paying their fantasy football league dues.

Instead, Throne said during an appearance on “The Next Round” that he often gets requests for money from bettors who lost wagers on Auburn. 

“Obviously people say not to listen to it and all that, but that’s easier said than done because in today’s world they come at you from all different angles,” Thorne said of postgame criticism he’s faced. “You hear it verbally, but that’s probably the least one. Just walking down the street, you hear it sometimes. Then obviously on the social medias. They’ll hit you on Venmo and all that type of stuff.”

Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne (1) runs the ball as the Tigers take on California Golden Bears.
Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne (1) runs the ball as the Tigers take on the California Golden Bears. Jake Crandall/ Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK

The senior QB had a forgettable performance against Cal over the weekend, throwing four interceptions. 

He completed just 14 of 27 passes for 165 yards and a touchdown, along with the turnovers, in a 20-14 defeat as Auburn dropped to 1-1.

Thorne noted that fans aren’t forwarding him money after Auburn games that help them pad their bankroll.

“No, they’re definitely not sending cash,” Thorne said. “It’s funny. When they lose money, they want the money back. But when they win money on a parlay, no one is ever sending me any money.”

Auburn coach Huge Freeze is still betting on Thorne as his starting QB — for now.

“It’s really hard to not play a young man, whether it’s Payton or whoever else it is. It’s really hard for me to not play a young man who’s consistently the best performer in practice over and over and over again,” Freeze told reporters Monday. 

Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne (1) walks off the field.
Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne (1) walks off the field. Jake Crandall/ Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK

“Having said that, you have to carry that over into the games. You have to,” Freeze continued. “If that continues, we have to go in a different direction.”

Thorne, who has completed 56.3 percent of his passes for 487 yards and five touchdowns, will try to get Auburn back in the win column at home against New Mexico State on Saturday.  

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