Earning it

AUBURN, Ala. | Gus MalzahnClick [rl]Here to view this Link. isn't ready to commit to Sean WhiteClick [rl]Here to view this Link. as Auburn's full-time starter just yet but the redshirt freshman earned a second-straight start at quarterback after his performance a week ago.

"I felt like Sean White gave the offense a spark, and he did some very good things," Malzahn said. "Sean will start again this week. We really feel like he has earned that."

White completed 20-of-28 passes for 188 yards with one interception in a 17-9 loss to Mississippi State. He also rushed for 29 yards on 11 carries.

"I think that guy played with a lot of courage," junior wide receiver Marcus Davis said. "He did his best to make plays for us."

White did make some plays including a 31-yard run on a zone read. But for Auburn's offense to function at a higher level, he'll need to make more big plays in the passing game.

His longest completion was a 22-yard floater to Davis on the opening drive.

"Going into the game, we felt like we were trying to build around his strengths and things he felt comfortable with, such as concepts or plays and things like that," Malzahn said. "You definitely learn from game experience with a quarterback about what they're comfortable with and what more you can add to them. That's where we're going with Sean."

One reason Malzahn is confident that White can take another step forward against San Jose State Saturday is the confidence he showed in his first start, which was also his first college game.

"Pre-game I watched him close," Malzahn said. "You could tell the moment wasn't too big for him then. He didn't have a bright-eyed look like he was scared. Right before he went out for the first drive you could tell he was just ready to go, and just needed to get hit once."

Auburn moved the ball well under White but failed to find the end zone on four trips inside the 10-yard line. This Saturday, against a SJSU team they scored 59 points on a year ago, the Tigers will be looking to pile up the touchdowns and gain some much needed confidence.

"We moved the ball and that's the biggest thing, but more importantly we have to get in the end zone," Davis said. "We have to take the good in every situation and I think we can move forward knowing what we need to correct."