Auburn Football’s Quarterback Conundrum: TJ Thorne’s Battle for Supremacy
The Auburn Tigers have found themselves at the epicenter of yet another quarterback debate, and it’s a puzzle that coach Hugh Freeze isn’t ready to unravel just yet. After a 27-10 loss to Texas A&M, questions are looming, and fans are eager to know the fate of their quarterback position.
Freeze, ever the tactician, had this to say after the game: “Well, I don’t want to play a lot (of quarterbacks). I certainly don’t want to sit here and make a lot of assumptions without watching the film. We had people open. And we either missed them or the pressure distracted us, it seemed. I’ve got to watch the film and see exactly what was going on to cause that. … We certainly were struggling with that aspect of the game that resulted in a lot of negative plays.”
Let’s dissect the situation. TJ Thorne was recruited out of the transfer portal in May, and he was entrusted with the role of Auburn’s starting quarterback in August. The hope was that Thorne, a former Michigan State captain with a wealth of collegiate experience (29 games, to be exact), could bring the stability needed to field a competitive team in his debut season on the Plains.
Things seemed promising as Thorne dazzled against Samford, a program significantly below the caliber of Texas A&M and other SEC powerhouses. In that game, he showcased his dual-threat ability, becoming the first Auburn QB since Nick Marshall in 2014 to rush for over 100 yards while passing for over 200.
However, the story took a different turn against the Aggies. Thorne completed only six of his 12 passes for a mere 44 yards and endured five sacks. Backup quarterback Robby Ashford was given considerable playing time, including entire offensive drives in the second half.
This brings us to the pressing question: What must Thorne do to fend off the competition from Ashford and redshirt freshman Holden Geriner, who Freeze acknowledged as “nipping at his heels” on September 13?
1. Protect the Ball: Thorne needs to prioritize ball security. While he avoided turnovers against Texas A&M, he threw two interceptions against Samford, one against Cal, and lost possession through a fumble against the Golden Bears.
2. Master the Run-Pass Option (RPO): Accurate decision-making on RPO plays is essential. However, these nuances can be tricky to discern without analyzing the game footage thoroughly.
3. Capitalize on Opportunities: Thorne must make the most of opportunities when they arise. In the game against the Aggies, a missed chance stood out when he failed to connect with a wide-open Jay Fair, a potential walk-in touchdown.
In the end, the quarterback spotlight remains on Thorne. His starting role hinges on his ability to demonstrate that errors aren’t solely attributed to him. The competition is fierce, and Auburn football enthusiasts await the unfolding chapters of this intriguing quarterback saga.
Image Source: Google
