Former QB for Gus Malzahn understands three-man rotation strategy
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Much has been made of Auburn coach Gus Malzahn’s decision to rotate three quarterbacks against Clemson.
The coach himself has recently called it a mistake, but one of his former quarterbacks says he understands why Malzahn played Sean White, John Franklin III and Jeremy Johnson in the 19-13 loss to Clemson.
Former Arkansas State quarterback QB Ryan Aplin, a staffer on multiple Malzahn staffs and now a receivers coach at North Alabama, told Michael Niziolek of The Ledger-Enquirer that it was about giving one of the three an opportunity to distance himself from the others.
“He’s trying to find out what guys will separate themselves,” Aplin said. “I can’t tell you what his exact thinking is, but to me he’s working to find the guys that give them the best opportunity to win.”
Aplin acknowledges what many see as the primary issue – difficulty getting into a rhythm on offense.
“You don’t get in a rhythm,” Aplin said. “You aren’t getting that constant feel for what defenses are doing. It makes preparation vital. I would go in for two plays and come out, was it ideal? No, but I had a chance to prove myself.”
Malzahn agrees that rhythm was the issue against Clemson, and has said he will focus the offense on White and Franklin moving forward.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
