Hugh Freeze explains approach to winning on first down, avoiding tough third down situations

If Hugh Freeze , new offensive coordinator Derrick Nix , and new quarterbacks coach Kent Austin plan to fix Auburn’s offense this fall, they better improve on being the sixth worst Power Five third down offense in all of college football last year.

The Tigers’ offense, led by Freeze and then offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery , finished 117th nationally in third-down conversion rate, converting only 32.93 percent of third downs. Auburn faced only 12.7 third downs per game last fall, good for 112th nationally. The lack of third downs faced points towards an overall lack of offensive production, as moving the football wasn’t easy a year ago.

“Number one, we have to run the football. We were pretty decent, I think third or fourth in the conference last year at rushing. I love our backs, like our tight ends, I think our O-Line has some maturity to it. So, obviously, if you run the football you can stay out of the third and longs,” Freeze said during SEC Media Days.

Freeze said last week that Austin would be in charge of much of the third-down play calling, but obviously with input from Freeze and Nix.

“It’s my job–and we didn’t do all of that last year–and that is the world I am from,” Freeze said. “It’s mine and Kent’s (Austin) job to make sure (Thorne) understands that down and distance matters. If it is third and one, don’t you ‘me, me’ this dang thing. Let’s find another way to control, get the first down, and move the chains. First and ten, get us in the right RPO and let’s handle it.”

The Auburn passing game completed only 52 percent of passes on third downs last season, with two touchdowns and four interceptions. And in 28 opportunities of 3rd-and-7-to-9 yards last season, the Tigers gained a total of 29 yards.

“It’s foolish for us to think that every first down is going to be an ideal box for us to run the ball against. So, Payton has to make the correct decisions on how to control that extra guy,” Freeze said. “Alright, is it a ‘me, me’ call, the back is off, he’s (Thorne) taking it and we are throwing the dadgum RPO? Is it, I like the run and I can handle it by just reading him? Or, do I need to send the whole O-line to him?”

On a positive side, Jarquez Hunter carried the ball 85 times on first down for an average of 5.67 yards per carry. He had 14 runs of 10+ yards or more and 14 first-down runs that resulted in a first down. So, riding your preseason All-SEC running back might be a good way to stay ahead of the chains.

“So, I think that is the biggest key to winning first down that allows you to stay out of third and long–and obviously penalties. If you win first down–and a win for us is four yards–there’s very few third and longs,” Freeze said.

“I think that combination with quick game. To throw quick game, you’ve got to have Randall Cobb’s that can win a route. You’re going to have to win a slant, you’re going to have to win something. In quick game we don’t have to protect too long. If you can be efficient in those two worlds, you can stay out of third and longs.”

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