Hugh Freeze on training with Payton Thorne: “I wish the camera wasn’t on me all the time”

There was little to complain about in Auburn's 73-3 win over Alabama A&M on Saturday, but that didn't stop head coach Hugh Freeze from continuing to train hard.

The most notable incident occurred about six minutes into the first quarter, when Auburn was forced to punt on third down after an incomplete pass.

Quarterback Payton Thorne rolled to his right before throwing a high pass that bounced off the fingertips of wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith. Had the pass been successful, it would have been enough for a first down, but Freeze mentioned after the game that he missed an open spot route on the play, which was supposed to be his first foray.

After the game, the broadcast switched to Freeze, who was visibly upset with his quarterback.

“I wish the camera wasn't on me the whole time. My wife was teasing me about one of them,” Freeze said during his press conference on Monday. “But you know, it was a third-down play, and I know how important those downs are in the coming weeks, and I expect him to get them right.”

Freeze noted the positive side of the moment, saying he wouldn't be so upset if he hadn't expected Thorne to make such plays.

Statistically, Thorne had the best game of his Auburn career on Saturday, throwing for 322 yards and four touchdowns, and adding 49 more yards and another touchdown. Freeze was overall pleased with Thorne's performance, but also mentioned things that could be improved.

“I was only really upset once,” Freeze said. “He still made good throws and scored a touchdown or whatever, but he didn't protect himself like he should have, and I don't want him to take unnecessary hits.”

Thorne's rushing touchdown came late in the first half, and he showed a willingness to outdo himself at times. But as Freeze mentioned, he wasn't afraid to take hits, either.

However, Thorne is responding well to the tough coaching, according to Freeze. Thorne enjoys the team's trust to be the starting quarterback, and the tough coaching can sometimes come with that.

“I've made it clear that I believe in him,” Freeze said. “But with that comes the expectation that once we've discussed something thoroughly, we'll do it right. He's doing a great job of that.”