Gus Malzahn: Auburn’s starting QB will be game-time decision

Nice pregame drama, but whether they go with junior Jeremy Johnson or redshirt freshman Sean White, the quarterback has to make plays and smart decisions.

“They are two quality wide outs”, Stoops said. The game will be broadcast on ESPN. We know what we got talent-wise and ability-wise. It was good to have from a coach’s standpoint and a player’s standpoint, being able to get a plan together for the second part of the season. The offense must still execute, but the defense will need to come up with consecutive stops to keep the team balanced. With Williams out, Kentucky totaled just 55 rushing yards against FCS-opponent Eastern Kentucky.

“Obviously, we’re a better team with him on the field”, offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson said. Auburn will start one of three quarterbacks.

“We don’t have a decision yet”. Like I said, Malzahn is considering a third option at QB. He has done a very good job. “We’re a lot better with him out there”. I really feel like Jeremy has done a solid job back in the mix. Then, maybe not since we play Charlotte in a few weeks.

Backup center Xavier Dampeer is out for an extended period with an unspecified injury and will miss the Kentucky game, Malzahn said. “It could also be as soon as we get done with this week’s practice”.

“That is a possibility”. “In this off week, we wanted to see how the guys would respond in competition, not just that position, but other positions too, and I think it’s been very healthy for our whole team”.

Richardson and Greenwood, however, won’t be on the field Thursday, but the players who will be have shown Stoops what he needed to see after the Cats overcame a subpar effort and 14-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat EKU last time out. “Nobody told me that we changed the schedule”. “I told the kids today [Sunday], regardless of what anyone tells you, it’s Tuesday, and tomorrow is going to be Wednesday, and the next day is going to be Thursday”. You really want to stay in a routine.

Being without sophomore defensive end Carl Lawson hurts twofold because he was not only the defense’s top player, but Auburn’s secondary has had to cover longer than anticipated because the Tigers aren’t getting the pass rush they could if Lawson was out there. But the players remain confident and are out to prove those people wrong this Thursday night. We are and we know we are.

On speeding up the offense… “Rhythm and tempo (was) a big factor in our off week, and explosive plays”. That’s been probably the biggest issue that we’ve had as far as getting in rhythm, as far as getting points on the board.

“He will not play”.

The offensive line, which returned three players with at least one season of starting experience, has failed to provide its usual amount of push up front.

STILL ideal: Kentucky remains one of five teams to convert all of its chances inside the 20, having scored 12 touchdowns on 16 opportunities this season and 27 straight going back to last October. They are eagerly anticipating a Thursday night game on national television against a team that was picked to win the SEC. He understands that and we understand that. While the running game isn’t statistically impressive, Stanley Williams and Jojo Kemp are capable. “We’ve got to be ready, and we’ve got to play good football”.

On message to team about the starting quarterback… Regie gives us a little bit more stout inside and Cory is more active against spread teams. Their record stands at 3-2 overall and 0-2 in the SEC.