Auburn debut 'like a dream' for QB Robby Ashford

Auburn debut 'like a dream' for QB Robby AshfordAuburn debut 'like a dream' for QB Robby Ashford

AUBURN, Ala. – Four plays into Auburn's opening drive of the 2022 season, quarterback Robby Ashford made his debut, rushing for 8 yards.

By the end of the night, Ashford produced Auburn's longest passing and running plays in the Tigers' 42-16 victory vs. Mercer, totaling 168 yards of offense.

On Auburn's second drive, Ashford sprinted 49 yards down the far sideline, the Tigers' longest rush of the night, setting up T.J. Finley's 2-yard touchdown pass to John Samuel Shenker.

With Mercer fully aware of his running prowess, Ashford unleashed another aspect of his repertoire, firing a 56-yard pass to Ja'Varrius Johnson in the third quarter, Auburn's longest pass of the game.

"Being an athletic quarterback, everybody likes to downplay my throwing," said Ashford, who was 4-of-7 for 100 yards. "I'm a quarterback, I'm not an athlete.  To hit it to one of my boys that I've known for so long, 'Var, it was just great.

"It gave me a sense of confidence like I know I can go out here and do this. I had some first-game jitters but hitting that definitely gave me a lot of confidence."

Ashford and Finley combined for 212 passing yards and one touchdown. They even shared the field on the same play, with Finley handing off to Ashford, who pitched to Tank Bigsby for a 21-yard gain.

"Robby is an amazing talent," Finley said. "We just have to find more ways to get him involved because we're going to need him this year for sure."
 In his Auburn debut, Robby Ashford produced 168 yards of total offense

A star quarterback at Hoover High School in Alabama, Ashford signed with Oregon to play football and baseball, transferring to Auburn after last season.

"The opportunity to come to Auburn and play," Ashford said. "I had a rough situation at Oregon. I really can't thank Coach Harsin enough for giving me the opportunity. He gave the opportunity to compete during fall camp and I knew I had to make the most of it.

"Getting out in Jordan-Hare, it almost felt like a dream. I was taking it all in, like wow I'm actually here. I remember coming to games as a recruit, now I'm getting to play. It was a dream come true.

"First college snaps, and I wouldn't want to do it with any other team, with any other coaching staff, with everybody who's helped me throughout since I got here, it's been nothing but love and I appreciate them so much for everything."

During preseason practice, defenders did not tackle the Tigers' quarterbacks, but captain Derick Hall still knew Ashford would present a problem for Auburn's opponents.

 "We know Robby is elusive," Hall said. "He's a really good runner. He can throw the ball as well, but he can kill you with his feet. Obviously, he showed that tonight, and we're very lucky to have him on this team to be able to help us.

"For somebody to be able to play quarterback but can also kill you with his legs and who is a dynamic runner, that is huge to have. You really can't prepare for that. You can try your best, but I promise you there are not too many people running in this league like Robby Ashford is."

Ashford's explosiveness will require SEC defensive coordinators to prepare contingency plans to minimize his effectiveness.  No matter his role, Robby will be ready.
 
"You've got to prepare like the starter," Ashford said. "Coach Harsin, Coach Kiesau, Coach Hartline instilled that in me. You've got to take all the mental reps you can get and I feel like I did a good job of that. I'm excited to see where this team goes."

 
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer