With just one game left in Nick Marshall's collegiate career, Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn said he was proud of the quarterback's development from junior college transfer to a record-breaking performer.
"I'm very proud of him," Malzahn said. "He's been a very good leader for us. I think he's one of the difference makers in our league I feel like."
While renowned for his rushing ability, which has produced 1,848 yards and 23 touchdowns in his career, Marshall has thrown for 4,291 passing yards and 32 touchdowns.
Marshall's development as a passer, which Malzahn said was most on display in his 456-yard, three-touchdown Iron Bowl performance, has impressed his head coach.
"This year we really tried to be more balanced, and really worked on his passing," Malzahn said. "Obviously, our last game, with what he did against that's defense, was very impressive."
Malzahn has never been shy about reminding fans of the circumstances in which Marshall inherited the program.
"If you look at his whole career, last year he didn't even go through spring," Malzahn said. "He wasn't named the starting quarterback until two weeks before our first game. He led us to the National Championship and really answered the bell every time he was asked and learned the offense on the run."
Wisconsin interim head coach Barry Alvarez said the athleticism of Marshall would create problems as the Badgers attempt to stop the quarterback in his final game.
"I think any time that you play someone with that type of ability you better be sound, you better corner the defense and try to have people chase him down and take proper angles," Alvarez said. "You have to be sound and it's still very difficult to get down."
While he may not have carried the 2014 Tigers to the heights they reached in 2013, Malzahn said Marshall has played an important role in restoring the Tigers to the top of the SEC.
"Auburn has high expectations," Malzahn said. "Last year we came close and I think our program is in a really good position."
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