Even the EBSPN guys were talking about what a multi-dimensional, gifted athlete Marshall is. Honestly, I don't see this as even being a point of discussion.
See, I told you. Just like my inside sources said, Nick is still the man.
Nick is our starter': Marshall will hold quarterback reins in Year 2 of Gus Malzahn era
Jeremy Johnson Nick Marshall
Auburn quarterback Jeremy Johnson (6), left, and Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall (14) talk on the field after arriving the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Ga., during a walk through before the SEC Championship Game on Friday, Dec. 6, 2013. (Julie Bennett/jbennett@al.com)
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Brandon Marcello | bmarcello@al.com By Brandon Marcello | bmarcello@al.com
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on January 08, 2014 at 6:35 AM, updated January 08, 2014 at 6:43 AM
http://www.al.com/auburnfootball/index.ssf/2014/01/nick_is_our_starter_marshall_w.htmlPASADENA, California -- Auburn offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee doesn't expect a quarterback battle on the Plains in the spring.
ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit reported Monday a battle could be brewing between 13-game starter Nick Marshall and backup Jeremy Johnson during the network's College GameDay show.
"Nick is our starter, our guys believe in him," Lashlee said after Auburn's heartbreaking 34-31 loss to Florida State in the BCS Championship. "We have a lot of confidence in Jeremy Johnson but I don't see any reason for anybody to make something out of nothing."
Herbstreit briefly mentioned a potential battle for the starting job next spring during ESPN's pregame show.
"This spring, Gus Malzahn told me the other day, no matter what happens tonight, there's going to be a battle in the spring between Jeremy Johnson and Nick Marshall," Herbstreit said.
Marshall played one of his better games against Florida State's top-ranked defense, completing 14 of 27 passes for 217 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. He also rushed for 45 yards and a touchdown on 16 attempts against the Seminoles.
"I'm really proud of that young man," Lashlee said. "He got so much better each game. I thought he played brilliantly tonight. The interception he'd like to have back, the ball slipped out of his hand, probably threw it a little late, but, man, he made some big-time throws in big-time moments."
Lashlee and Malzahn have both expressed excitement concerning the prospect of Marshall's second season in the offense.
"It’s going to be a lot of fun," Malzahn said in December.
Malzahn, who just wrapped his eighth year coaching college football, has yet to coach the same starting quarterback in back-to-back years on the college level. He'll get his chance next season with Marshall, who he endorsed in the Heisman Trophy race late in the season.
Johnson was 29-fo-41 passing for six touchdowns and two interceptions as a freshman. He played in six games and started against Western Carolina because of a knee injury to Marshall.
"Watching Nick play, it's amazing," Johnson said last week. "When he's got the ball in his hands, he's unstoppable. He led this team from 3-9 to a national championship. That's pretty tough and he did it in the SEC. Just to watch him play is fun and I support him. He's like an older brother to me. I'm just sitting back and watching and learning."
Marshall finished the season with 3,044 yards of total offense, the third-most in school history. He passed for 1,976 yards and 14 touchdowns with six interceptions, and ran for 1,068 yards and 12 more scores.
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