Auburn’s history of productive running backs will meet at the crossroads with Hugh Freeze’s pass-happy tendencies. Is there a way for Auburn’s offense to produce another 1000 yard rusher while employing a pass-centered attack?
Auburn’s history of 1,000 yard rushers took a bit of a hit late in Gus Malzahn’s Auburn tenure, with the 5-year streak ending in 2017 with Kerryon Johnson. 2018 was the beginning of a streak of offensive woes for Auburn that affected the run game, so it’s no surprise that there wasn’t another 1,000 yard rusher until Tank Bigsby’s 2021 season.
But with changes abound and things looking up from a personnel standpoint, there’s reason to be optimistic that Auburn can get back in the game and produce a 1,000 yard rusher again. But will Hugh Freeze and Philip Montgomery lean enough on the run game to make that happen?
Of all your questions on offense, Jarquez Hunter is not one of them. I would be really disappointed if we take the ball out of his hands.
– Mike G on The Morning Drop
With a mostly new offensive line room, a true running threat in the mix at QB, and a renewed vigor and urgency across the program, it would stand to reason that a stout running game would help to stabilize whoever settles into the starting QB position as the new signal caller of a hybrid offensive philosophy. Is that what Hugh Freeze wants? Will Phil Montgomery have a louder say in what the run/pass splits are? What are the chances Jarquez Hunter splits that 1,000+ yards of productivity between air and ground?
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