Every area of Auburn’s defense is going to have its fair share of work cut out for it on Saturday evening with Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral, who Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin calls the “Heisman front-runner”.
“Leader of this team, obviously on the offensive side," Harsin said. "Front-runner for the Heisman. Completing about 70% of his passes, 15 touchdowns, one [interception], he’s making good decisions.”
Corral has stolen the show in every offensive performance he’s been a part of this season. The California native is completing 67% of his passes while raising his stats to the fifth-most yards thrown in the SEC this season. He’s not scraping his way to the end zone with check down after check down, he is bombing the ball down the field and hitting his targets in repetition.
Harsin spoke to the quarterback’s strengths and described him as a ”football player” rather than just a typical game-managing quarterback preluding the matchup on Saturday.
“I think this guy’s tough. I think he’s a tough player," Harsin said. "You know when people say 'football player,' that stands out. He happens to play quarterback, but he’s got some football player in him. He throws the ball very well; he does a very good job on play action. He runs the ball hard and he runs it physical at his position. He’s making good decisions, you can tell with his stats."
Corral has done it all for the Rebels on the offensive side of the ball. He ties the team-high rushing touchdown count at nine scores on the ground while slinging the ball for 15 more touchdown tosses.
Auburn’s defense will undoubtedly be put through a test with Corral at the helm of a Lane Kiffin offense. With five games remaining on the regular-season schedule, this weekend will serve as a midseason midterm to gauge the team’s level of competition against a Top 10 opponent.
“I think he’s also their leading rusher as well," Harsin said. "He does a lot of things for what they’re trying to accomplish on the offensive side, I think he’s got a good feel for what they’re doing. So, their offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby, coach Kiffin, those guys have done a very good job with him.
"He just plays hard, every single game…So, very impressed, and he’s one of the best in the country. So you’ve gotta be prepared for that and know what you’re getting into.”
The Tigers take on the Rebels at 6 p.m. CST in Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 30.
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Larry is a senior studying journalism with a minor in sociology. He is from Enterprise, Alabama and is in his third year with The Auburn Plainsman.
Twitter: @ReportingLarry
