Hugh Freeze: Auburn QBs Robby Ashford, Holden Geriner nipping at Payton Thorne's heels

College QB news - September 14, 2023

Photo courtesy of Auburn Athletics

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Subscribers get a weekday afternoon college football newsletter covering the quarterback injury, depth chart, transfer portal, recruiting and NFL Draft news of the day. A special game day guide is sent on Saturday mornings.

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COLLEGE FOOTBALL QB REPORT

Quarterback Central | Teams | Players

September 13: Alabama head coach Nick Saban said “we evaluate every position every week” when asked about a starting quarterback competition. Jalen Milroe (Stats) started the first two games and played every snap of the loss to Texas and could have a short leash moving forward as Saban said he considered replacing him against the Longhorns. Tyler Buchner (Stats), Ty Simpson (Stats) and Dylan Lonergan (Stats) are listed as co-starters on this week’s depth chart, though it’s been the same every game so far this season. Alabama is a 32-point road favorite over USF after opening at -35.

September 13: Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze said backup QBs Robby Ashford (Stats) and Holden Geriner (Stats) are nipping at starter Payton Thorne’s (Stats) heels. Freeze also mentioned Ashford needs to get touches, though he does not like to rotate quarterbacks in and out, so it will be interesting to see what this week’s snap count looks like. Thorne started the first two games with a special package primarily used for Ashford to use his legs. Auburn will host Samford on Saturday night.

September 13: UCLA head coach Chip Kelly did not name a starting quarterback for this week and will make a decision on Friday. Ethan Garbers (Stats), Dante Moore (Stats) and Collin Schlee (Stats) are listed at the top of the depth chart, which has been the case every week this season. Kelly said all three quarterbacks would play the first two weeks, though only Moore has played both games and threw three touchdowns in his first start Week 2. He did not say whether multiple QBs may will take the field. UCLA will host NC Central on Saturday.

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DEPTH CHART & INJURY REPORT

Week 3 college football QB depth charts & injuries

Thursday QB Notes

Miami QB Tyler Van Dyke (Stats) wore a black wrap/splint on his index finger for the second straight week but played every snap and threw five touchdowns in Week 2. The Hurricanes are hoping to redshirt backups Emory Williams (Stats) and Jacurri Brown (Stats), and it’s unclear who the No. 2 option is. Miami opened is a 48.5-point home favorite over Bethune-Cookman on Thursday night after opening -45.5.