AUBURN, Ala. – After the Legends 7 on 7 game and before the autographs, Auburn's A-Day scrimmage will provide players another opportunity to show why they deserve a spot on the depth chart this season.
While A-Day has long been a fan favorite for its array of affordable activities – including a petting zoo and punt, pass and kick competition, the game itself will be a key evaluation tool for Auburn's coaches.
"Watching our guys respond in front of a crowd, especially the young guys, especially the quarterbacks," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said. "It's always good to see how they react with that."
Three freshmen: redshirts Joey Gatewood and Cord Sandberg, and mid-year enrollee Bo Nix, are competing with junior Malik Willis for the job to replace two-year starter Jarrett Stidham.
"We've been putting in installs, we reinstalled. Then it gets to be a point, you play the game," Malzahn said. "You let them play a game. My experience is, you get in front of a crowd, certain guys respond differently than others."
In an earlier spring scrimmage, the quarterbacks were "live" – able to be tackled – a departure from standard spring practice convention when QBs are off-limits for contact.
"We learned a lot," said Malzahn, who then highlighted what he's looking for Saturday from Auburn's quarterbacks. "Managing the offense and getting the ball in the end zone.
"We've been challenging them. We've been straining them, putting them in a lot of different situations. That's a very important position for us. We're in a battle right now, and they're still competing."
A-Day will be the first opportunity for fans to see Auburn's early enrollees, including Nix and running back D.J. Williams.
"I've been very impressed with him," Malzahn said of the 5-10, 210-pound Williams. "He got some quality reps. He showed a lot of toughness, that's really what stood out to me. We're pleased with him so far. I think he's got a chance to help us."
The quarterbacks and running backs will benefit from a seasoned offensive line that returns all five starters.
"They started playing very solid football toward the end of the season," Malzahn said. "It's really carried over. They communicate very well up front. You're able to do a lot of different things with them.
Auburn's defensive line also returns starters Derrick Brown, Marlon Davidson and Nick Coe.
"Our defensive line, very, very experienced," Malzahn said. "With [associate head coach] Rodney [Garner] being able to move people around to different positions, with different matchups. We're in a good spot up front on both sides of the football, 13 practice into spring."
Auburn's first-team offense will compete against the Tigers' second-team defense, with the No. 1 defense going against the No. 2 offense.
There will be four 12-minute quarters with a running clock in the second half. Before the A-Day game presented by Golden Flake begins at 3 p.m., more than 50 Auburn lettermen will compete in a 7 on 7 flag football game.
"The first time we've done that," Malzahn said. "Really excited to have those guys back. I think it will be fun for our fans, too."
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer