Auburn battles heavy downpour in annual spring game

It was a wet, windy, and cold Saturday down on The Plains, but the Auburn faithful couldn't care less because they got to watch their Tigers take the field this afternoon for the first time under new coach Hugh Freeze.

"I thought it was a solid day and some good things and some not so good things of course. But overall I think our first spring the 15 days that our kids gave us was great energy and effort and I think we took the right steps toward building some foundational things that we're gonna have to lean on in order to compete next year", said Freeze.

For the fans that braved the elements Saturday afternoon, they had a front row seat to watch quarterback Robby Ashford have compete command of the offense, and despite the rain turned in a solid day of work.

"I feel more comfortable in the pocket. I mean, I just feel more relaxed. I mean, last year I was kind of uptight, playing off raw ability. I don't want to say it in a bad way but I didn't feel like I was getting coached as good as I could have been", said quarterback Robby Ashford.

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"You know, I think Robby got better and he's really been fun to coach and I think he's trying to change some of the things that may have caused at least me concern about him being the quarterback leader", said Freeze.

As for what was the biggest step forward this spring, Freeze told us it was the big boys up front. "I'd have to say you know I think we improve that offensive line and they looked pretty decent today", said Freeze.

"They've improved a lot, they’re better than this last season and this spring I can see a difference in those guys", said Auburn running back Jarquez Hunter.

This Auburn team is very much under construction, however Freeze has been very straightforward when it comes to expectations in year one. In many ways, despite the rain Saturday afternoon, Auburn's A-Day performance was a step in the right direction.