Tigers move closer on naming a starting quarterback

By Charles Bennett

AUBURN – Auburn moved a step closer to selecting a starting quarterback after the Tigers’ held their second scrimmage of fall camp Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

How much closer depends on who you ask.

Offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn said that it would please him if the decision could be made this week.

“That would be great if that's the case,” Malzahn said after Saturday’s scrimmage. “If somebody really steps up and separates himself. The challenge we have right now, and it's a really good problem for us, is we feel like we've got three guys who can play the quarterback position.”

Meanwhile, Auburn coach Gene Chizik tap-danced around deadline questions.

“No, that’s not what we’re doing,” he said. “We’re more in the mindset of when we feel like there’s a guy who has separated himself, and we believe he is the one who gives us the absolute best chance to win, then we’ll settle in on that guy.”
Could it be this week?

“I don’t know that I can say that,” he said. “I think the process will continue on the evaluation process. Again, we’ll know more after this (scrimmage).”
Both coaches are cautious about making judgments until after they’ve viewed the film.

But Malzahn’s comments that the Tigers have three who can play quarterback would indicate that freshman Kiehl Frazier has significantly closed the gap on returning players Clint Moseley and Barrett Trotter.

(FOR THE REST OF THE STORY READ SUNDAY'S ANNISTON STAR)