Bryan Harsin discusses Birmingham Bowl loss, 5-game losing streak to end season
Bryan Harsin and the Auburn Tigers finished the year with a disappointing 6-7 overall record after falling 17-13 to Houston in the Birmingham Bowl on Tuesday afternoon.
The Tiger defense played really well, but the offense failed to convert several scoring opportunities, leading to the disappointing loss.
After the game, Harsin met with the media to discuss the game and weigh in on his first season at Auburn, in general.
Here’s some of what he had to say in his press conference:
On a 5-game losing streak to end the year:
Bryan Harsin after his 6-7 season at Auburn that included a final five-game losing streak.
"There were a lot of positives I took away from the season." He also said he learned a lot. "I still appreciate our guys."
— Auburn Gold Mine (@AUGoldMine) December 28, 2021
On a pair of Auburn players being ejected for targeting:
Bryan Harsin on targeting calls on Auburn
"Targeting is a hard one because it's different with different crews. It's bang-bang plays. Both of those plays were bang-bang plays.
"It's disappointing." However, "I don't disagree there should be targeting calls."
— Auburn Gold Mine (@AUGoldMine) December 28, 2021
On fourth-quarter struggles:
Auburn's Bryan Harsin on losing in the fourth quarter
"We had our opportunities. I thought we ran the ball well, at times. We had a couple of down-the-field throws we didn't get made.
"…At the end of the day, you've got to find a way.
"There are a lot of fixable things."
— Auburn Gold Mine (@AUGoldMine) December 28, 2021
On the message to the team after the loss:
Auburn's Bryan Harsin after losing to Houston in the Birmingham Bowl
"Told our team in the locker room that I'm proud of our guys… As far the people in that locker room, I'm proud to be their coach."
It wasn't the finish he wanted for the seniors, he said.
— Auburn Gold Mine (@AUGoldMine) December 28, 2021
On lessons learned this year:
Auburn HC Bryan Harsin: "I told our guys I've learned more this season than any I've ever learned playing or coaching."
— Justin Ferguson (@JFergusonAU) December 28, 2021
On QB TJ Finley’s performance:
Auburn coach Bryan Harsin said the wind might have been a factor for quarterback TJ Finley. "He's a young player who didn't get a chance to play a ton this season…so this offseason is going to be big."
— Joseph Goodman (@JoeGoodmanJr) December 28, 2021
Auburn's Bryan Harsin on quarterback T.J. Finley
"The encouraging things were the throws he made… I thought the decision-making wasn't bad. We were throwing to the right guys.
"He did some good things checking us out of bad plays."
Finley was 19-of-37 for 227 yards. pic.twitter.com/ETYO2DslrB
— Auburn Gold Mine (@AUGoldMine) December 28, 2021
Auburn finishes the year with a 6-7 overall record.
