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Things have been pretty rough for fans of the Auburn Tigers in recent years. The program fired Gus Malzahn after a 6-5 season in 2020. Replacement Bryan Harsin limped to a 6-7 record in his first year, leading fans to call for him to be ousted as well.
Harsin survived those calls, and the early returns in year two have been, well, not good.
The Tigers’ quarterback situation isn’t making life any easier on Harsin. T.J. Finley began the year as the starting quarterback after winning a competition against Oregon transfer Robby Ashford and Texas A&M transfer Zach Calzada.
Finley struggled in the first three games, throwing for just 431 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions. Ashford has also played in each game and hasn’t been much better. He’s just 15-of-29 on the year for 245 yards, one touchdown and two picks. While Calzada hasn’t played at all.
Auburn begins the SEC slate of its schedule this Saturday against Missouri and will do so without Finley, who is dealing with a lingering shoulder injury.
But Harsin isn’t giving any clues as to what he’ll do at the quarterback position against Mizzou.
Auburn's Bryan Harsin doesn't say if injured quarterback T.J. Finley will play Saturday.
"We're working through the guys at every position. We'll see," he said on the SEC teleconference.
It is unlikely Finley will be available for this SEC opener Missouri. pic.twitter.com/QyJgXV0B32
— Auburn Gold Mine (@AUGoldMine) September 21, 2022
Though one of his players may have just spilled the beans.
Auburn Tigers RB Damari Alston Hints At Freshman QB Holden Geriner Getting Playing Time
Auburn’s best offensive weapon is undoubtedly star running back Tank Bigsby. Bigsby rushed for nearly 1,100 yards and 10 touchdowns a year ago. He’s averaging 6.2 yards per carry and already has three scores this year. But he’s not alone in the backfield.
Sophomore Jarquez Hunter and freshman Damari Alston have also seen success in 2022. Alston was a four-star recruit in the class of 2022 that chose the Tigers over LSU and Penn State among others. He’s appeared in all three games this season and is thus far averaging 7.0 yards per carry.
But the freshman may have just let slip that Harsin plans to go with fellow freshman Holden Geriner at quarterback against Missouri.
https://twitter.com/DamariAlston/status/1572764965991514112?s=20&t=6HsVWrICrrjEuDELSfOw0w
Alston posted a picture of himself and Geriner together on Twitter with the caption “very soon” on Wednesday night. Geriner, like Alston, was a four-star recruit in the 2022 class.
Geriner’s teammates have had plenty of praise for the young signal caller in practice.
Auburn defensive lineman Marcus Harris on freshman QB Holden Geriner: "That man can zip it…. He throws one of the best balls I've seen."
— Tom Green (@Tomas_Verde) September 21, 2022
While media members and fans think it’s just a matter of time before he sees the field.
Don’t be shocked if Holden Geriner gets playing time on Saturday against Missouri with TJ Finley sitting out with an injury.
— Nubyjas Wilborn (@nwilborn19) September 20, 2022
I would like to watch Holden Geriner play football Saturday.
— Malibu (@The_Barnyard0) September 21, 2022
The good news for Geriner is that he can’t be much worse than what the Tigers have already have, Go get ’em, kid.