Hugh Freeze started Payton Thorne for Auburn football in a 48-14 win over ULM but ended up turning to Walker White at QB once the game was out of hand, not Hank Brown; who started two games earlier this season against New Mexico and Arkansas.
Freeze explained during the postgame presser that the decision had nothing to do with Brown doing something wrong, but rather White getting some reps before the end of the season.
"Hugh Freeze says going with Walker White today instead of Hank Brown has 'nothing to do' with Brown not being prepared for today's game. Freeze says he just wanted White to get some live reps before the season ended," The Opelika-Auburn News's Jacob Waters relayed from the press conference.
Freeze claimed that he knew what he had in Brown and Holden Geriner but wanted to know what he has in White.
"I kind of know what we have with Hank and Holden, I wanted to see how he would react in a real game situation" Freeze said to reporters.
What Hugh Freeze's comments mean for Auburn football QB room
Clearly, Freeze doesn't expect his team to be bowl-eligible. And assuming the Tigers keep it close against Texas A&M and Alabama or are on the wrong end of a beatdown, Thorne is going to get the lion's share of looks.
But White getting snaps in Week 12 is not a good sign for Brown or Geriner. For the latter, it's clear he'll never get his shot on the Plains. Brown may have also burned his bridge with Freeze being so ineffective against Arkansas in Week 4.
White is in the plans moving forward. Until further notice, Deuce Knight is too. But the same cannot be said for certain for Brown and Geriner based on how Week 12 played out.