Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin says QB Bo Nix has progressed very well while Tigers brace for Ole Miss
First-year Auburn Coach Bryan Harsin is not a man who is short on words.
Ask a question and you are going to get a football novelette for an answer, and what reporter doesn’t appreciate that?
In today’s SEC Football Coaches Teleconference the two main questions centered around the quarterbacks of both Auburn and Ole Miss, who will face each other at 6 p.m. Saturday night at Auburn.
First, Tiger signal caller Bo Nix, who was benched earlier in the year against Georgia State but has since elevated his game the way one would expect an experienced veteran to do.
Harsin was asked to assess Nix and his play through seven games.
“From earlier this year, he understands what we are trying to do now,” Harsin began. “That just takes time and none of that (learning curve) is his fault. You just have to have reps and experience and we as coaches have to learn our players, especially at quarterback.
“You are not going to just put a guy in there and things are going to click all at once. His practiced habits, his fundamental improvements with his footwork and upper body mechanics and where his eyes are has been very good. He is now finishing throws and being more accurate than earlier in the year.”
Nix is 128-211 with two picks and 8 touchdowns through the air. He has thrown at a 60.66% completion rate and for 1488 yards. He has also rushed for 159 yards and 2 scores.
“He’s always put in the time and now I think he is using that time with more focus and figuring out what he needs to improve,” Harsin continued. “We are trying to fine-tune those things and iron those things out. We are still a work in progress, but I think he will continue to work on those things and continue to improve.
“We need consistency at that position. It helps the team overall when the quarterback is consistent.”
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Then Harsin was asked about Rebel Quarterback Matt Corral, a player he obviously respects.
“I said earlier in the week he is a very good player. I think he’s a helluva competitor and that shows up all the time,” Coach Harsin assessed. “Within their schemes, you watch him operate that offense and he does it well. He plays the QB slot very well. He plays hard every snap.
“I think he’s a really tough player. We are going to compete against him, but we respect guys who play the game well and he is one of those. Matt has earned respect and from our standpoint he’s certainly one of the guys we have to do a really good job with.”
Corral has better numbers than Nix, throwing for 1914 yards on 141-208 completion rate (67.79%), one interception and 15 aerial TDs. Matt has also rushed for an additions 474 yards and 9 scores.
“Ole Miss is a good football team. They have shown that this season and that’s what we want to be,” Harsin closed. “I hope we can go out there and play our best football against a good opponent. We will find out at the end of the game Saturday night.
“We have guys who are very competitive and are very good. We also have guys who are getting better. Our team is improving and some teams don’t do that. This game is an opportunity to take on a real fine team and we know Matt Corral is a really good football player. We will have to play our best on defense against a quality offense and an excellent quarterback.”
