Apr 18, 2015; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Sean White (13) looks to pass during the spring game at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
Redshirt freshman Sean White will start at quarterback for Auburn on Saturday against Mississippi State instead of Jeremy Johnson.
Coach Gus Malzahn announced the change Tuesday. It will be the first career start for White.
“Any time you change quarterbacks, it’s not an easy decision,” Malzahn said. “I feel like (White) needs a shot right now.”
Malzahn did not say whether the switch was permanent or just for the next game only.
“I’ll say this from a coach’s standpoint and player’s standpoint, you take it one game at a time and that’s the way we’re doing it,” Malzahn said. “We’re thinking about nothing but Mississippi State.”
Johnson started the Tigers’ first three games and completed 59.7 percent of his passes for 473 yards and five touchdowns, but he has thrown six intereceptions. He struggled last week in Auburn’s 45-21 loss at LSU, losing two fumbles and completing 11 of 19 passes for 100 yards and two touchdowns.
