Freeze QB Change Debate – AuburnSports: Auburn Tigers football and basketball recruiting

AUBURN | Auburn could make another change at quarterback.

After falling to 3-6 in Saturday’s loss to Vanderbilt, Hugh Freeze is considering benching starter Payton Thorne for the second time this season.

“Payton played pretty solid, but at the same time you start to think about the big picture and that’s a difficult dilemma for you as a coach when you start to think about the big picture, as opposed to one of your players who really doesn’t do anything did wrong,” Freeze said.

“We certainly won’t win. That’s why we’re discussing all of this this week and will continue the debate next week.”

Thorne was benched earlier this season after throwing four interceptions in a 21-14 loss to California.

Backup Hank Brown made his first career start the following week against New Mexico and completed 17 of 25 passes for 235 yards and four touchdowns in a 45-19 win.

But he was replaced by Thorne after he threw three interceptions in the first half of a loss to Arkansas. Thorne has remained the full-time starter since then.

Thorne ranks fifth in the SEC with a QBR of 148.5. He has completed 62.9 percent of his passes for 1,825 yards with 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Auburn, which is out this week, hosts ULM on November 16 at 11:45 a.m. CT on SEC Network.