Bryan Harsin reveals replacements for Bo Nix, Anders Carlson

Auburn lost two of its top contributors in quarterback Bo Nix and kicker Anders Carlson on Saturday, and head coach Bryan Harsin is in the process of finding replacements. TJ Finley will take over for Nix, while a new starting kicker remains up in the air.

Harsin will spend this week getting Finley up to speed with the first team offense.

“You kinda know what he likes, but we’re going to have to still run our offense and do the things that we feel are going to be successful,” Harsin said when asked if he would spend a lot of the week getting to know Finley’s preferences and style better. “He’s going to have to be able to execute those.”

Finley, an LSU transfer, already has some in-game experience for the Tigers after replacing Nix on multiple occasions this season.

Prior to Saturday, Finley had not seen the field since Oct. 9, but he played in five early-season games. He is 17-for-33 for 275 passing yards and three total touchdowns this year. His biggest contribution came when he stepped in for Nix against Georgia State and led a comeback victory over a Sun Belt opponent.

While Harsin certainly wants to make his quarterback comfortable, the offense will not change drastically. 

“He’s going to have done everything that we have in our game plan,” Harsin added. “It’s just a matter of Bo’s had more reps in practice and obviously more reps in the game. T.J.’s seen it. He’s done it. He’s going to get all of those starting reps this week and have himself prepared from that standpoint.”

Nix, a junior and three-year starter, suffered a broken ankle in Saturday’s loss to Mississippi State. He played nearly the entire game and finished with 27 completions on 41 attempts with 377 passing yards and two touchdowns in a dramatic 43-34 loss.

The quarterback had a successful surgery on Monday, and he tweeted a message to the Auburn faithful following the operation.

Harsin still working to find the new Carlson

Regarding a replacement for Carlson, Harsin is unsure about a new starter at this time.

“We’re going to work through that with our specialists, so not right now,” Harsin said when asked if he could name a replacement yet. “I’m not ready to make that decision yet on exactly what direction we’re going to go.”

Harsin’s options include sophomore Ben Patton, who is 3-for-3 on extra point attempts at Auburn, and experience-less redshirt freshman Evan McGuire.

Carlson suffered an ACL injury against the Bulldogs and will have surgery this week. The setback is a result of a fourth quarter collision between Carlson and a Mississippi State player while attempting to recover an onside kick.

The Colorado native and brother of former Auburn kicker Daniel Carlson, Carlson was in his fourth year as Auburn’s starting kicker. He was 14-for-21 on the season on field goals and 35-for-36 on extra points. Carlson was nearly automatic in 2020 for the Tigers, going 20-for-22 on field goals and 24-for-25 on extra points. 

Finley and the new kicker will get their first starts of the season against South Carolina on Saturday. The two teams played in Columbia last season, and Auburn must head there again for this matchup. South Carolina won 30-22 last year despite Auburn winning the yardage battle 481-297.

The game kicks off at 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN, and Auburn is a 7.5-point favorite.