In today's edition of Auburn Tigers News, Hugh Freeze talks about the value of letting the young guys play in the season opener and Cam Coleman reacts to his first touchdown
It was a highly anticipated game for the Auburn football program after the impressive recruiting haul during the offseason. From the newly added transfers to the true freshmen getting their first crack at the game at the next level, there was a lot to be excited about.
For head coach Hugh Freeze, this game was an opportunity to build confidence and give the younger guys on the team a chance to experience live game situations. Beating Alabama A&M was never a concern for the Tigers, but Freeze says driving up the score was not about being unsportsmanlike, but rather giving valuable reps to the backups and newcomers.
"Yeah, it's a balancing act, because the last thing you ever want to be seen, you know, like we were trying to do something that was unsportsmanlike," Freeze said, per Auburn Undercover. "But it's game one and Hank needs to run the offense and Holden needs to run the offense, and needs to know what RPO to run.
"So, we just kind of let them—We didn't intentionally throw any deep shots. They jumped offsides and obviously that's what we do on that. But the other throws were truthfully just in the RPO game and just trying to run the offense."
Cam Coleman reacts to his first touchdown
For a lot of Auburn football fans, true freshman wide receiver Cam Coleman was the player they were most excited to see, and the crown jewel of the Tigers' 2024 recruiting class did not disappoint. He scored his first college touchdown in the first quarter on his very first reception.
"They had no safety — so I was like, 'Oh, yeah. That's bingo,'" Coleman said, per Auburn Undercover. "... When I stuttered, I saw him fall. I was like, 'Oh, yeah, it's coming.' And I looked up, and I was wide open. I was like, 'Don't drop it, don't drop it.'"
It was a successful night for the Freeze Four, and they'll be back in action in Jordan-Hare Stadium next Saturday when the Tigers host the Cal Golden Bears.