Auburn needed to give Sean White a game off leading into Iron Bowl week as he continues to recover from a nagging shoulder injury.

Coach Gus Malzahn and offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee made the collective decision to start senior Jeremy Johnson — who was listed as the team’s third option — over John Franklin III for their Week 12 contest against Alabama A&M.

“We felt like Jeremy had prepared well and, being senior day, had earned the opportunity to start,” Lashlee said Sunday during his media availability, according to 247Sports.com . “I thought he, probably take two plays away, I thought he played really well.”

Johnson finished 14-of-19 with 189 total yards and three touchdowns (two rushing) as the Tigers won convincingly, 55-0.

Franklin, who has appeared in all 11 games this season, received snaps under center but did not attempt a pass — something he rarely does when on the field with 15 total attempts in 2016. He did run the ball four times for 81 yards, including a 39-yard touchdown scamper.

“He can really run, there’s no doubt about that,” Malzahn said. “He made some good reads and he’s a good change of pace. When he comes into the game, it’s a little bit different, and a lot of times the defense plays a little bit different. I thought he did a good job of managing the offense when he was in and made some really good explosive plays when he was in.”

At this point in the week there’s no telling what Auburn will do with its quarterback situation for its regular season finale against No. 1 Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

“We’ll just see where Sean is (this week),” Lashlee said. “So it’s probably too early to give you any — I don’t want to give you something that’s not accurate or concrete.”

Auburn will play in its annual rivalry with the Crimson Tide this Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS.