Auburn football's Hugh Freeze on quarterback situation: 'I wish we were further along'

AUBURN — Auburn football had its first scrimmage under coach Hugh Freeze on Friday.

It was a situational affair, and Freeze went as far as calling it "just another practice" after saying the Tigers will "get after it a good bit this Friday" for scrimmage No. 2.

But before then, he's hoping to see some improvement from his quarterbacks.

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“They’re very coachable," Freeze said Monday afternoon. "It’s very new what we’re asking them to do, and truthfully, I wish we were further along after watching Friday’s tape. But it’s certainly not from a lack of want-to, and I’m not even sure it’s a lack of can-do. We just − I think we’ve got to coach it better. Hopefully, we’ll see a turn toward a better understanding of what we’re trying to do this week.

"But again, it’s been − I’ve been very encouraged by their willingness to listen and to be coached. We met a good while yesterday and (it was) just me kind of making sure we’re all saying the same things about what we’re wanting to do in our (offense). Hopefully, we can coach it a little better ... and see (improvement in) practices seven, eight (and) nine this week."

Robby Ashford and T.J. Finley have been going back and forth with the first and second teams during pace drills through the first half of spring practice. Holden Geriner has often been with the third team.

Freeze has said for weeks that all of the quarterbacks will get equal reps.

He also added Monday that the two position groups that have "a long way to go" are quarterback and wide receiver.

"We weren't planning to install a ton because it's so new, and I want us to really get good at our base stuff," Freeze said. "But I am hoping by the end of this week that we feel like, 'Alright, their eyes are in the right spot (and) their decisions were really good.'

"Now, did they execute it? We've got to handle those first two. We've got to have their eyes in the right spot and whatever the progression and decision-making is has to be done correctly."

Asked if he had to name a starter right now, Freeze said he had "no idea."

"Quarterbacks should be making the correct decision, if he's going to be your guy, 85-95% of the time. And then you judge the execution. And then you start knowing who your quarterback is based off those. Right now, we're having too many of the eyes in the wrong spot, and the decision-making is not exactly what it's supposed to be."

Richard Silva is the Auburn athletics beat writer for the Montgomery Advertiser. He can be reached via email at rsilva@gannett.com or on Twitter @rich_silva18.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Auburn football's Hugh Freeze on QBs: 'I wish we were further along'