AUBURN — There's no question plenty is left to be desired from Auburn this season, as it continues to find ways to lose games down the stretch. However, one bright spot for the Tigers has been the play of true freshmen across the field.
The Tigers lead the nation in snaps played by a true freshman and lead the conference in offense and defensive snaps combined.
Auburn faced its biggest challenge of the season on Saturday against Missouri with a stellar passing game. The biggest question mark was whether Auburn's young secondary would be able to hold up against its biggest test thus far. The Tigers held their own for the majority of the game and did so with three true freshmen in Jay Crawford, Kensley Louidor-Faustin and Kaleb Harris—Harris' first collegiate start.
"They're growing, they're getting better, too," head coach Hugh Freeze said on the freshmen in that group. "It's uncomfortable, but they're definitely growing and getting better. I see it in practice, in one-on-ones and they're playing against some really good players, they had some good receivers."
The Tigers defense bottled up backup quarterback Drew Pyne, holding him to just 78 yards through the air on 21 attempts. It wasn't until Cook appeared back in the game late in the third quarter that the defense got exposed—a 78-yard pass from Cook to Mookie Cooper was Missouri's first pass of 21 yards or more—and soon gave up two touchdowns and a 95-yard game-winning drive.
"They did some things that last drive that and you can go back and see it in the first half that they did it perfectly. But you get tired and the pressure's on, and things are moving fast at that moment. 'My alignment is just that much off, and it makes it a difference in the leverage.' So you're still seeing some of those things, but there's no question that they're they're improving, for sure," Freeze said.
Offensively for the Tigers it was a true freshman that scored their only touchdown of the day. Cam Coleman, who made it look rather easy getting behind Missouri defenders, found himself on the receiving end of a 47-yard pass from Payton Thorne in the third quarter, giving Auburn the lead.
"Cam, obviously, the deep threat has been proven that he's that," Freeze said.
Joining Coleman on Saturday was Malcolm Simmons, who is second on the team in receiving yards on the season.
"We need to get him more touches to 11," Freeze said. "Malcolm's doing some good things with the things we're asking him to do."
As with any group of freshmen, mistakes are sure to come, but Freeze knows the future is bright for them if they continue to work and be coached.
"These kids are very talented, and they're the future and foundation of our program. And you see them do it in practice, and then the bullets get real and things change a little bit. 'That coverage is a little different than I experienced against the service team in practice, and I cut this route two yards short' and those things continue to happen some. We're getting better."
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