Auburn QB battle: Hugh Freeze updates where things stand between Jackson Arnold, Ashton Daniels

Earlier this week, on the heels of Auburn notching its first SEC win of the season, Hugh Freeze announced an “open competition” between Jackson Arnold and Ashton Daniels to be the Tigers’ starting quarterback in Saturday’s game against Kentucky. Arnold has started each of Auburn’s first eight games of the season, but Daniels sparked the Tigers’ 33-24 road win at Arkansas after replacing Arnold in the second quarter last Saturday.

Two practices in and Freeze is no closer to determining which QB will ultimately lead Auburn (4-4, 1-4 SEC) out of the Jordan-Hare Stadium tunnel Saturday vs. the Wildcats (2-5, 0-5 SEC).

“Through two practices, they’re both really great guys that prepare well. They’re getting us in the right things, they’re setting the protections the right way, they’re both making accurate throws – for the most part,” Freeze said Wednesday on the SEC’s weekly coaches teleconference. “And so, it’s really hard to decipher the difference when you’re in practice, and that’s what’s been so difficult. Jackson, of course, has gotten more of the reps because Ashton wasn’t here until late July, and that’s why it’s so difficult to decide.”

Hugh Freeze on open QB competition: ‘We’re looking for kind of a spark’

Freeze also cited Arnold’s progress to start strong in recent weeks, including leading the Tigers to touchdown drives on Auburn’s first offensive series for early 7-0 leads against Arkansas, Missouri and Georgia. Of course, it’s what happens later in the game that ultimately means the most on the scoreboard.

“If you look how Jackson’s opened the last three games has been pretty phenomenal, and he’s played pretty flawless in those, but then in other moments, we just haven’t gotten over the hump and won games,” Freeze continued. “And ultimately we all get judged on what the win-loss deal says on the scoreboard. … We’re looking for kind of a spark, and Ashton, I think, has the capacity to play really well too. So, it’s going to be a tough call, (I’m) not quite ready to make it yet, but I have confidence in both of them.”

Through eight games this season, Arnold has thrown for 1,263 yards on 63.3-percent passing to go along with 270 rushing yards and 13 total touchdowns, seven coming on the ground. Daniels, meanwhile, went 6-for-8 (75-percent passing) for 77 yards through the air along with 35 rushing yards on seven carries Saturday against Arkansas. Both are offseason transfers, with Arnold coming over from Oklahoma and Daniels transferring from Stanford following the Cardinal’s coaching change this Spring.