Picture this: it’s fourth-and-short, and the best player on your team is the running back, but you choose to pass the ball instead. That’s what was going on in Auburn football offensive coordinator Mike Bobo’s head on Saturday during the Tigers’ inexcusable loss to the South Carolina Gamecocks.
Sophomore running back Tank Bigsby shook his head on the sidelines as he watched the Tigers turn the ball over on fourth down after a passing play that should’ve seen Bigsby on the field with another carry. Why did Bobo continue to choose to not run the ball?
Auburn football fans spent the whole game wondering, and even South Carolina fans picked up on the fact that first-year head coach Bryan Harsin was not utilizing the player that was having the most success on the field:
Tank did HIS job today though. Their coaches not so much. I'm very glad Harsin decided not to put it in their best players hands in crucial situations.
— Frank was right (@fakefakespike) November 21, 2021
I can assure you it isn’t his fault. I kinda feel bad for him. https://t.co/GZsqSDLNtn
— Zach (@zachary_lane3) November 21, 2021
Great kid, you could tell by the interactions on the field he enjoys being there and has fun. They just weren’t giving him those opportunities for the clutch. He’ll continue to do big things...he ran all over our defense for the most part.
— Carson Cromer (@wakedude26) November 21, 2021
Bigsby finished the game with 22 carries for 164 yards and one touchdown, as well as one reception for 24 yards. He had 11 carries in both the first and second half, but he touched the ball only three times in the fourth quarter.
The coaches made the decision not to feed the running back that was having a 100+ yard night, and it was obvious to everyone on both sides that Bigsby deserved more.