Nov. 17, 2016
By Charles Goldberg
AuburnTigers.com
AUBURN, Ala. - Jeremy Johnson's last college home game will be as the starting quarterback for Auburn University.
Coach Gus Malzahn said Johnson will be the starter on Senior Day in Saturday's 6:30 p.m. game against Alabama A&M in Jordan-Hare Stadium. He'll replace injured Sean White, who is dealing with a shoulder injury.
Johnson was Auburn's starting quarterback for nine games last season, passing for 1,054 yards and 10 touchdowns. He's played in two games this season, hitting 4-of-6 passes for 38 yards. Malzahn said both Johnson and John Franklin III will play quarterback Saturday.
Malzahn announced the quarterback change during Auburn's Tiger Talk radio show Thursday night.
"I know our team is excited for him," Malzahn said. "He's excited. I'm excited for him. He'll be ready to go.
"I know he's had a good week of practice. I really think he'll play well."
Johnson has thrown 19 touchdown passes and has seven rushing touchdowns in his career.
"Obviously, it's been tough the last two years on him," Malzahn said earlier in the week. "I think everybody knows that. He's handled himself well, been there for his teammates trying to help us any way he can."
White missed the first half of the Vanderbilt game Nov. 5 because of the shoulder injury, and then played the entire game against Georgia last Saturday. He later admitted he reinjured his shoulder early in the game. Malzahn said White has not practiced this week and "won't play this week."
Auburn will try to nurse him back to health in time for the Nov. 26 game at Alabama.
Malzahn had already announced most of his backfield is hurt and won't play against Alabama A&M. Three running backs - SEC leading rusher Kamryn Pettway plus Stanton Truitt and Chandler Cox are out - as well as receiver Marcus Davis. Reserve defensive end Byron Cowart underwent an emergency appendectomy Wednesday.
Malzahn said fans can expect to some "young guys" Saturday.
Twenty seniors will be honored in pregame ceremonies Saturday: Johnson, Montravius Adams, Xavier Dampeer, Marcus Davis, T.J. Davis, Rudy Ford, Josh Holsey, Alex Kozan, Devaroe Lawrence, Robert Leff, T.J. Neal, Kevin Phillips, Tony Stevens, Maurice Swain, Marshall Taylor, Jackson Thomas, Jack Bjork, Austin Dupper, Greg Hall Jr. and Damian Lewis.
Charles Goldberg is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @AUGoldMine