Tag: Robby Ashford

Gunner Britton named SEC offensive lineman of the week

Britton played nearly perfect in week one by not allowing one QB pressure and helping the Tigers run wild.

Auburn offensive lineman [autotag]Gunner Britton[/autotag] was named the SEC offensive lineman of the week on Monday, becoming the first Auburn Tiger of the season to capture SEC player of the week honors.

Britton, who spent most of camp working at the right tackle position, started at left guard in Saturday’s opener, eventually playing three positions along the long during the game.

Britton did not allow a QB pressure during his on the field, helping the Auburn offensive line keep quarterbacks [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag], [autotag]Robby Ashford[/autotag], and [autotag]Holden Geriner[/autotag] upright for the entirety of the game.

Britton was also a key reason Auburn was able to rush for 289 yards and six against the UMass defense. His ability to play positions across the line allows the other Tiger linemen to stay fresh, rotating in and out of the game.

Head coach [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] spoke about Britton’s versatility following Auburn’s opening game victory.

“I think it just speaks to his importance to us, he needs to be on the field, and we need to stay fresh because we do like to go fast.”

Britton made sure to shout out his teammates and relay his focus back to the remainder of the season when asked what winning the award meant to him.

“It’s a blessing,” Britton said. “It’s not really about me. It’s about my teammates and what they do for me. I can’t wait to call my dad. He’s going to probably cry. It will be a good thing for my whole family. It’s a big accomplishment but for me, it’s the first game. I’ve got 11 more, hopefully, 12 and 13.”

Britton may have many more games ahead of him this season, and if he plays anywhere close to the way he played in week one he may end up with a few more awards than just one SEC offensive lineman of the week.

Britton and the rest of the Auburn o-line will look to continue their success from week one when the team flies across the country to take of Cal at 9 pm CST on Saturday.

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How Payton Thorne’s week one performance stacks up with the rest of the SEC

Pro Football Focus breaks down Thorne’s debut game with Auburn, and how well he performed compared to other SEC quarterbacks.

Week one of the college football season is officially behind us, and Pro Football Focus has evaluated every SEC quarterback’s performance.

The conference went 12-2 on the weekend, with South Carolina and LSU suffering losses to stiff competition from the ACC. Several SEC quarterbacks put together stellar performances while others wish they could get a fresh start in week two.

As for Auburn, the Tigers played three quarterbacks in their 59-14 win over UMass on Saturday. [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag] started the game and ended with 141 yards and a touchdown. [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] says that he was pleased overall with Thorne’s start.

“He made three decisions that were not good, but he played good and protected the football,” Freeze said Saturday. “We didn’t ask him to do a lot in the passing game, truthfully, but I thought he was solid. He’ll be ready to improve on what he sees.”

The surprise in Saturday’s game was the role that [autotag]Robby Ashford[/autotag] played in the win. Freeze mentioned that Ashford would always have a “package”, and it appears that he will be crucial to red zone success. Ashford scored three times on Saturday, all on quarterback runs.

“Every press conference that I’ve been in I’ve said Robby Ashford is vital to us winning football games and I don’t know how else to say it. He is vital to us winning football games,” Freeze said. “I don’t know what that looks like week-to-week, but I know that he’s vital to us winning football games and we need him.”

How did Thorne and Ashford’s week one performance stack up against the rest of the SEC’s signal callers? Here’s a look at the grade that each SEC quarterback received from PFF following week one’s action.

USA TODAY Sports names Hugh Freeze a ‘winner’ following first game at Auburn

USA TODAY Sports’ Paul Myerberg calls Freeze’s Auburn debut a success.

The first game day of the [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] era ended just as sweetly as it began.

Freeze said after Auburn’s 59-14 win over UMass that his day got started with several text messages from past colleagues at Ole Miss, Arkansas State, and Liberty, and it continued with his family getting to take part in Tiger Walk. After the game, the celebration continued as upwards of 30 family members joined Freeze at his home for a postgame dinner.

Auburn fans call the first day of a new era a success, and it is relieving to see that members of the national media share the same sentiment.

Paul Myerberg of USA TODAY Sports released his “Week 1 college football winners and losers” list Sunday morning and the Tigers head coach has made it to the winners column.

The Freeze era at Auburn kicked off with a 59-14 win against Massachusetts, which was fresh off a Week 0 upset of New Mexico State. While three quarterbacks combined for a pedestrian 203 yards on 14 of 25 passing, most from starter Payton Thorne, six players ran for at least 30 yards as the Tiger racked up 289 rushing yards and six scores.

It is refreshing to see Auburn on the positive side of Myerberg’s list, which has not been the case over the last two years. Freeze addressed quarterback performance Saturday, in which he said that Thorne “made three mistakes.” [autotag]Robby Ashford[/autotag] showed his athleticism by scoring three touchdowns in the special red zone package designed for him.

The bright side is that neither quarterback committed a turnover, which is a positive heading into the rest of the season. The Tigers will work on their craft this week before traveling to California for a late-night showdown with the Cal Golden Bears on Saturday night.

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Auburn’s two-quarterback system shows its value in blowout win over UMass

Hugh Freeze has said he think Robby Ashford and Payton Thorne can help Auburn win games, they did just that Saturday against UMass.

The saying “If you have two quarterbacks, you have none,” is not always accurate and the Tigers proved that Saturday in their blowout win over UMass in Jordan-Hare Stadium.

[autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] named [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag] Auburn’s starting quarterback back on Aug. 17, but the plan has always been for [autotag]Robby Ashford[/autotag] to play. While Thorne can run, he is a proven passer while Ashford is working to improve his accuracy and decision-making but is a dynamic runner.

Thorne started the game for Auburn and marched Auburn right down the field for the touchdown. He completed 1-of-3 passes for nine yards and rushed for 16 yards.

He started the next drive as well but Ashford subbed in when the Tigers approached the red zone. Ashford rushed for eight yards and completed a pass but a holding penalty caused the drive to stall out and Auburn was forced to kick a field goal.

He once again came in when Auburn entered the red zone on their ensuing drive and this time it worked perfectly. He took the designed carry around the left side and into the endzone to give Auburnt the 17-7 lead early in the second quarter.

“Every press conference that I’ve been in I’ve said Robby Ashford is vital to us winning football games and I don’t know how else to say it,” Freeze said after the game. “He is vital to us winning football games. I don’t know what that looks like week-to-week, but I know that he’s vital to us winning football games and we need him.”

This week that meant that Thorne would lead the Tigers into the red zone where Ashford would take over and give Auburn a numbers advantage in the running game. It worked to perfection as he rushed for touchdowns on their next two drives to give Auburn a 31-7 lead and put the game away.

“It was good,” Thorne said of the rotation. “When Robby (Ashford) is running out there, I’m obviously running off. Also, when he gets in the endzone, I’m obviously excited. I don’t really care how we get into the end zone as long as we are scoring points, so that’s exciting. As far as the future, that’s up to Coach (Freeze), not me. But, if that’s how we roll, then I’m cool with that as long as we are scoring points. It was great today.”

Ashford finished the first half with six carries for 36 yards and three touchdowns as well as one completion.

“Obviously you always want to be the starter but Payton’s done a great job,” Ashford said after the game. “I look at him like a brother and we come out there every day and just know we are out here to get each other better and do whatever we can to help this team win.”

While Ashford did his damage on the ground, Thorne did his through the air. The Michigan State transfer completed 10-of-17 passes for 141 yards and one touchdown, a perfect pass to a wide-open [autotag]Jay Fair[/autotag] to give Auburn the 45-7 lead early in the third quarter.

Thorne’s day was done after the touchdown pass as Ashford took over for the next three series before giving control of the offense to Holden Geriner.

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Everything Hugh Freeze said after Auburn crushed UMass

Hugh Freeze had plenty to say after Auburn’s first win of the season.

The Auburn Tigers started the [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] era off with a bang, beating UMass 59-14 Saturday afternoon in a packed Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Auburn’s rushing attack was the story of the game as they rushed for 289 and six touchdowns. [autotag]Robby Ashford[/autotag] led the way with three touchdowns and 51 yards as he dominated inside the red zone.

[autotag]Damari Aslton[/autotag], [autotag]Jeremiah Cobb[/autotag] and [autotag]Sean Jackson[/autotag] all added a rushing touchdown of their own as Auburn showcased its depth.

Starting quarterback [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag] wasn’t asked to do much but he did his job, completing 10-of-17 passes for 141 yards and one touchdown.

Freeze spoke with the media and had plenty to say after Auburn’s first win of the season, here is a look at what he said.

Grading the Game: Auburn’s 59-14 win over UMass

Auburn was in complete control of this game.

The Auburn Tigers started the [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] era with a dominant 59-14 win over UMass Saturday in Jordan-Hare Stadium.

The Tigers got off to a slow start, allowing the Minutemen to march down the field during their opening possession to score a touchdown and tie the game at 7-7. Auburn’s offense scored on their next four possessions and the defense buckled down, forcing two three-and-outs and a turnover as the Tigers stretched the lead out to 31-7 before halftime.

Despite missing expected starting running back [autotag]Jarquez Hunter[/autotag], the Tigers were able to run the ball at will, and backup quarterback [autotag]Robby Ashford[/autotag] was a major reason why.

He rushed for three touchdowns in the second quarter and showed that he can be a weapon in the red zone as a change of pace to starter [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag].

He wasn’t the only Tiger to have a great game though, here is a grade for every positional group after their big win over the Minutemen.

Photo Gallery: Auburn Football cruises in season opener vs. UMass

Here are the best images from Auburn’s 59-14 season-opening win over UMass.

The [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] era started off with a bang in week one, as the Auburn Tigers dismantled the UMass Minutemen, 59-14.

Led by[autotag] Payton Thorne’s[/autotag] arm and [autotag]Robby Ashford[/autotag]’s legs, the Auburn offense had its way with the UMass defense. The Tigers found pay-dirt eight times, collecting 494 total yards in the process.

Here are some of the best photos from the high-scoring opener in Jordan-Hare.

 

Gallery: Pregame sights ahead of Auburn’s season-opener with UMass

Here is a look at the best pregame images ahead of Hugh Freeze’s Auburn debut.

The Hugh Freeze era is officially underway.

Freeze has just experienced his first Tiger Walk and the Tigers are on the field warming up ahead of their season-opener with UMass.

Today marks a new era for the Auburn offense, as [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag] is set to take over the starting quarterback role for the Tigers following a preseason battle with [autotag]Robby Ashford[/autotag] and [autotag]Holden Geriner[/autotag]. However, Auburn will be missing several players.

Richard Silva of the Montgomery Advertiser reports that Jarquez Hunter, Nehemiah Pritchett, Nick Mardner, Caleb Wooden, and JD Rhym are not dressed out for today’s game.

Here is a look at Hugh Freeze’s first Tiger Walk as Auburn’s head coach.

Payton Thorne reflects on ‘healthy’ quarterback competition

Thorne says that respects Robby Ashford following the tough but healthy competition.

[autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag] was thought to be the missing piece to Auburn’s offense when he transferred in from Michigan State.

Last Thursday, it was confirmed by head coach Hugh Freeze that Thorne would take the first snap of Auburn’s season-opener against UMass on Sept. 2.

Thorne spoke with the media on Thursday, which was the first time he has spoken publically since joining the program. He fielded several questions regarding his transfer, but most were directed toward the quarterback competition. Thorne says that he emerged with respect for his challenger, [autotag]Robby Ashford[/autotag], following the battle.

“I thought it was good, a good, healthy competition,” Thorne said Wednesday. “I don’t think it was anything that was toxic like sometimes quarterback competitions can be. I have a lot of respect for (Ashford). We’re still obviously talking and everything is still good. But it was a good competition.”

After [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] announced Thorne as the starter, he went on to say that Ashford put together three strong practices, which he views as a way for Ashford to challenge Thorne for the starting quarterback job. Does Thorne feel threatened?

“I don’t think that matters, personally, because you’re already thinking that yourself. It’s not like you get the job and you’re like, ‘Whew, now I can relax and do nothing.’ You’re still playing. You’re still trying to play well. I’m focused on playing well for our team to win games. I’m not trying to play well to keep my job. If you’re looking at it like that, it’s like, why are you playing? You’re not playing just to keep your job. You play to win. I’ll be working as hard as I’ve ever worked right now. There’s no relaxing or just chilling. We’ve got a big season ahead of us with a lot of great opponents. I’ve always thought I’ve needed to be on my game, so that doesn’t change. That’s the mindset that I’ll take.”

Thorne passed for 6,501 yards and 49 touchdowns in three seasons at Michigan State.

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How Payton Thorne can win the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (and maybe the Heisman)

Is a special season brewing for Payton Thorne?

The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Foundation released its preseason watch list on Wednesday. Among the quarterbacks listed was recently named Auburn starting signal caller [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag]. 

After coming to Auburn as the favorite to quarterback the team in 2023, Thorne struggled a bit in spring and fall camp, allowing [autotag]Robby Ashford[/autotag] and [autotag]Holden Geriner[/autotag] to push the quarterback competition all the way up to mid-August before he eventually won the job last Thursday.

Thorne spoke to the media for the first time since being named QB1 on Wednesday. He seems confident in his growth within the offense. 

“I think I’m an accurate quarterback… I feel like when we’ve been going fast in my past [in the] two-minute drill, I feel like we were efficient doing that,” Thorne said. “With the up-tempo stuff, I feel like that was a plus in my game the last two years. Just seeing defenses, being able to think quick and process quickly is definitely something you have to do in this offense and I feel like I’m able to do that. Now [it’s] about going out and executing.”

Thorne will need to go out and execute at a high rate frequently this year if he hopes to win the Golden Arm Award, which is given to the top upperclassman quarterback in college football. The watchlist includes 47 other names from across the NCAA, including Heisman favorites like [autotag]Caleb Williams[/autotag], [autotag]Quinn Ewers[/autotag], and old friend [autotag]Bo Nix[/autotag]. 

Thorne’s path to winning the Golden Arm will undoubtedly be difficult (he is currently +20000 to win the Heisman on Fanduel), but as NBA legend Kevin Garnett once said, “anything is possible.” If he can accomplish these four things, he’s got a chance.