AUBURN, Ala. – It was wet. It was cold. The field was soggy. But none of that mattered in the closing seconds as Alex McPherson drilled a 33-yard field goal to complete the comeback from the offense and end Saturday's A-Day game in a 24-24 tie.
The winning team was to be rewarded with steaks for dinner. With the tie, everybody won.
"Everybody can get steaks," Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze said. "I told them, 'Our first trip into Jordan-Hare, and both sides are undefeated.' I like the way it ended.
"It really was good to see (McPherson) kick that thing through under those conditions. It was really, really soggy and wet and the snap was really slow. It was good that we got some of that experience."
Freeze and the coaching staff had planned to throw it around a little more Sunday, but the weather conditions altered that plan. Instead, it was the running game that shined with top backs Jarquez Hunter, Damari Alston and Brian Battie all breaking off runs of 10 yards or more and finishing with more than four yards per carry.
"All the running backs had a pretty good run and at least one explosive run today," Hunter said. "Anybody can go in there and contribute. I think Coach (Carnell) Williams can put anybody in and know we can do the job. It was great to see everybody just go out there and compete."
Former walk-on Sean Jackson led all rushers with 77 yards on 13 carries.
The Lionel James Offensive MVP, as voted on by the media, was given to quarterback Robby Ashford who rushed for 38 yards and a touchdown on six carries. Ashford completed the longest pass of the day with a strike to Tar'Varish Dawson for 39 yards. It was one of only five passes completed by the quarterbacks in the rain Saturday.
.@robby_ashford 🎯 @TarvarishD 👀 pic.twitter.com/elb0NYKHtv
— Auburn Football (@AuburnFootball) April 8, 2023
"I think Robby got better," Freeze said. "He's really been fun to coach. I think he's trying to change some of the things that may have caused me concern about him being the quarterback leader. Whether it be body language or ball security or just your demeanor in general — the way you talk, the way you talk to your teammates. I don't know that anybody has really challenged him like I did this spring with that."
Holden Geriner and T.J. Finley also saw plenty of reps Saturday and throughout spring practice as they compete with Ashford for the starting quarterback job.
"I feel better than I did 15 practices ago (about the QB position)," added Freeze. "I think from this point now until the end of fall camp, there's so much that needs to happen for somebody to solidify being 'the guy.' I think all have improved."
Defensively, linebacker Jake Levant led the way with six tackles and a sack. Eugene Asante had five 'tackles, including a tackle for loss, while cornerback D.J. James added four tackles and was voted the Mark Dorminey Defensive MVP. James and fellow cornerback Kayin Lee capped off the spring with strong performances at A-Day.
McPherson, the Lewis Colbert Specialist MVP, missed his first field goal from 49 yards out but responded with makes from 39 and 33 yards out.
"I thought it was a solid day," Freeze said. "There were some good things and some not so good things. Overall, I think our first spring and the 15 days that our kids gave us, there was some great energy and effort. We took the right step toward building some foundational things that we're going to have to lean on to compete next year in this league.
"Thanks to our fans and the band and everyone that weathered the conditions to come out and support our players today. We appreciate that very much."
Quotable
Hugh Freeze
On freshman Keldric Faulk…
"I love Keldric. I love his attitude. I love the way he comes to work. He should still be in high school. He and Connor Lew and Kayin Lee really stood out as three freshmen that we think in the '23 class we'll look back on and say, 'Man, we got us three really good ones.' Number one, (Faulk) is a great human being. He doesn't know anything yet about the college game and all that. He's raw in some ways. But he's very talented, and I love the way he went about his business the whole spring."
On changing the culture…
"We're closer. The five weeks we got to spend together and me addressing the team every Monday and Friday on some themes and some things I think are important that we get on the same page with. I don't know that it's a realistic expectation that you ever get a full team totally bought in. I think that's the same way in families, churches, businesses. But I think if you can get a team that's close to 80 percent or so, the other 20 percent become insignificant with their voices, and I think we're starting to see good buy-in."
On where the team improved at A-Day…
"From today, I think you would say we're running the ball fairly well. And getting the dirty yards from our backs. Our quarterbacks helping in the run game. I think we improved that o-line some. They looked pretty decent today. After today what's on my mind is we've got to stop the run. You can't win in this league if you can't stop the run. We didn't stop it very well today on some drives. That's the two things on my mind both good and bad right now. "
Robby Ashford, Quarterback
On being challenged in practice…
"I feel like every single day I found something to get better at. Coach Freeze definitely challenged me, and I appreciate that because he has taught me so much already in such a short amount of time. Just from our talks, he is a coach who really cares and really wants to see me succeed. Him, Coach (Philip) Montgomery, Coach (Kent) Austin, and Coach (Jesse) Stone have all just helped me tremendously and have gotten me so much better from day one of spring ball to practice No. 15."
Holden Geriner, Quarterback
On his A-Day experience…
"It was not the best weather, but it was still awesome to be out there with all the guys and compete and have some fun. It was really a great experience, and I'm super appreciative of all the fans that came out there and supported us."
Jayson Jones, Defensive Tackle
On the defense's performance today…
"I think our effort was there. We just have to keep on getting down on the technique, play with our hands, play fast, play physical and most importantly, play together."
Robert Woodyard Jr., Linebacker
On his progress…
"I feel like I've come a long way mentally, just coming off injury. It was kind of a setback coming in. Being able to know the defense more – and my teammates have really pushed me – I really feel like I fit the defense well and I feel like I know the ins and outs of it."