Through seven games, the ongoing quarterback battle tells us that [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] and [autotag]Philip Montgomery[/autotag] are not set on one guy leading the offense.
Although each quarterback brings a certain set of skills that can be useful in Auburn’s offense, neither [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag] nor [autotag]Robby Ashford[/autotag] has developed enough to take the reigns of the battle for themselves. One of the main issues with the rotation is that neither quarterback has a chance to build consistency in game situations. Thorne says that he has never been a part of a two-quarterback system before, and is still adjusting to the role.
“I’ve never had to do that before. It’s a new challenge for me. I’ve never really seen anybody else do that either. So I don’t know if there’s anybody I can ask to learn from,” Thorne said this week. “Every time I’m in there, I’m trying to do what I’m supposed to do and do what I’m being coached to do and execute and make a play when we need it.”
Ashford, who experienced a rotation with [autotag]T.J. Finley[/autotag] in the early portion of the 2022 season, says that his experience this season is all about learning and executing his “package plays.”
“That’s just the biggest thing. Just honing in on my package plays, too. You’ve got to know all of that. It’s just really, for me, just knowing my package plays on top of knowing the playbook. Those are just big things,” Ashford said. “I try to learn every single week what we’re running and, on top of that, what my package plays are and what I am trying to do with those. It’s a little bit extra studying, but I can’t complain.”
In the rotation, Thorne has the edge in attempted passes with 130 as opposed to Ashford who has thrown just 26 times. Thorne also has 259 rushing yards compared to Ashford’s 180. Head coach [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] was asked about the quarterback rotation during Monday’s press conference and said that this week’s rotation would be based on which quarterback gives the team the best chance to win.
“Whatever our offensive staff convinces me is the best approach to give us a chance to win a game,” Freeze said. “I’ve said from day one that I think Robby has a place, and is his place ever down? We’ll see this week. If it’s a package that enables us to continue drives. I think we always have to look at those things right now, with the current state of who we are. I’m not content, though, with anything right now offensively.”
Auburn’s next chance to perfect the art of quarterback rotation will be Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT when the Tigers host Mississippi State at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
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