Last weekend was one to forget for the Auburn football program as it suffered its fifth loss of the season, 10-3, against Kentucky at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
It was the Tigers’ offense that crashed and burned, ultimately leading to the firing of third-year head coach Hugh Freeze.
Leading the offense was senior quarterback Ashton Daniels, who interim head coach DJ Durkin said on Wednesday during the SEC Coaches Media Teleconference would get the start against No. 16 Vanderbilt on Saturday.
“We made the decision as a staff that Ashton Daniels will be our quarterback,” Durkin said.
Daniels took over for Jackson Arnold, who started the Tigers' first eight games, after he threw a pick-six against Arkansas, giving way to an 11-point deficit heading into halftime.
Daniels led the Tigers to five scoring drives in the second half and did enough to earn the start last week against Kentucky. He completed just 13 of 28 passes for 108 yards and was the only quarterback to lead Auburn past midfield.
“I think he gives up the best opportunity to win the game,” Durkin said. “Our team and our coaches are all 100% behind him.”
Daniels will have a new playcaller on the sidelines this weekend, as Durkin announced that offensive coordinator Derrick Nix will be the sole play caller for the remainder of the season – Freeze was the primary play caller prior to his departure.
The Tigers’ offense has been historically bad this season, ranking dead-last in the SEC in passing offense and sitting in the back half of the conference standings in nearly every statistical category.
But Durkin is a sole believer in, “It’s not always what you do, it’s how you do it.”
“[Nix has] been involved with the offense. I want Derrick and our players to be comfortable and confident in what they’re doing. So, how much different, how much same? He’s a talented coach and knows what our guys are capable of. And that’s my message to all of them. It’s not always what you do, it’s how you do it,” said Durkin.
“I think Derrick understands the message very clearly, and I think he’s very capable of getting that done. Throughout practice this week so far, I really like what I have seen,” he later added.
Auburn will kick off against Vanderbilt on Saturday at 3 p.m. on SECN at FirstBank Stadium.
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