Payton Thorne misses initial bowl practices with 'flu-like' symptoms, arrives in Nashville in better health
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne missed every practice but one last week as Hugh Freeze and his team prepared on campus for Maryland in the Music City Bowl on December 30.
Thorne arrived with the team in Nashville in better spirits and health apparently, as the Tigers and Terrapins are only days away from their matchup.
“I was not there most of the week. I was sick, came down with the flu,” Thorne said on Wednesday. “From what I know, it was a good week of practice. I feel good and it won’t be an issue moving forward.”
Freeze said on Wednesday the team dealt with a run of sicknesses last week, but arrived mostly in good health. Freeze confirmed there were two players left at the hotel as Auburn started practice, but didn’t confirm with players were left behind.
“(Thorne) seems to be feeling good, but it was really good to get outside and let him have hopefully today and tomorrow — this was a good day for him to have a good practice for sure because he did miss last week every day but one,” Freeze said.
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Thorne finished the regular season with over 1,600 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and nine picks, along with 520 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
Maryland is already without their starter at quarterback as Taulia Tagovailoa opted out of the bowl game as he ponders his immediate future. Head coach Mike Locksley said last week that both backups Cameron Edge and Billy Edwards Jr. will play against Auburn.
For Thorne, the balance between the portal opening up, coaches recruiting and teammates pondering their future, preparing for a bowl game isn’t easy.
“It’s weird because you’re looking so much to next season and talking about next season, but we have to finish off this season. We’ll focus up this week and get ready for Saturday.”
