Hugh Freeze admits he was unaware who Auburn had returning on muffed punt

The 2023 Iron Bowl was the first for new Auburn coach Hugh Freeze. It will be remembered for the final Alabama touchdown. However, that wouldn’t have happened without Auburn muffing a punt.

Surprisingly, after the game, Freeze admitted he wasn’t aware of who the Tigers had at returning for the muffed punt that set up the Crimson Tide.

“It was Keionte [Scott],” Hugh Freeze initially said of the punt.

It was not Scott. Instead, it was actually Koy Moore who muffed the punt. Later, Freeze was asked why Moore was back there instead of Scott and that’s when Freeze admitted he didn’t know who was back to return that punt.

“Was it Koy? I thought it was Keionte. Alright. I’ll have to ask Tanner [Burns]. It would have to be Keionte must have taken himself out.”

Tanner Burns is Auburn’s special teams coordinator. He would have a certain level of autonomy to make decisions regarding who is out to return a punt. However, it’s hard not to expect the head coach to know who is out to return a key punt.

Ultimately, the muffed punt led to a loss for Auburn. That loss dropped the Tigers to 6-6 in Hugh Freeze’s first season and just fifth in the SEC West. After losing to New Mexico State the week before, it was a frustrating end to the season.

Hugh Freeze defends Auburn’s decision to not pressure Jalen Milroe on game-winning throw

On the final Alabama touchdown pass, Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe had all day to throw the ball. On the play, Auburn only rushed two. The Tigers did leave a spy that didn’t pressure Milroe, though. In turn, Milroe found an open receiver to take a late lead.

After the game, Hugh Freeze defended the decision by Auburn to not put pressure on Jalen Milroe.

“I mean, second guess it. Just got to play with vision and we got nine guys back there and just play with vision and make a play on the ball and knock it down. And you know, he felt like he was shoved off, but I couldn’t tell, but you know mean you can pressure him and then you got one on ones and they throw it up. You can do that if you want, or you can play. I like the call. Just got to just sit back there with vision and knock the ball down,” Freeze said.

“Proud of the way our kids fought and prepared. That’s the way an Auburn Tiger should do it every single week. Obviously, it’s a little easier when you’re playing in this magnificent, awesome rivalry. But it makes the hurt that much more when you don’t get it done. But I’m proud of the way that they fought and bounced back and I thought they executed our plan pretty well and gave us gave us a chance to win the game.”