Solid first start

AUBURN, Ala. | It wasn't perfect but all things considered, it was a pretty good first start for Sean WhiteClick [rl]Here to view this Link..

The redshirt freshman quarterback started and played in his first college game Saturday night against Mississippi State.

"Overall I thought he did a solid job for his first college experience," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said. "Anytime you're playing an SEC opponent, especially in the West, and you've got a guy making his first start, there are going to be some mistakes. But I think everyone saw that he competed. He did some good stuff and he's a competitor."

White completed 20-of-28 (71.4 percent) of his passes for 188 yards with no touchdowns and one interception.

"I wish we could've pulled out the win," said White after the 17-9 loss. "I'm obviously disappointed, but I felt good playing for the first time. I felt comfortable."

White wasn't asked to do too much. His longest completion went for 22 yards to Marcus Davis. But he ran the offense with efficiency and showed the poise of a veteran.

"He did great," junior offensive tackle Shon Coleman said. "He went out there with a lot of confidence, which he showed throughout the week."

White's longest play turned out to be a 31-yard scramble. He finished with 29 rushing yards on 11 carries as four sacks took away from his totals.

"It means a lot," said Coleman of White's hard-nosed running. "He's a tough guy, he has great character. We expected him to do that. He's a tough kid."

White's biggest mistake came on the game's opening drive. He completed his first four passes to help Auburn move into scoring position. But on a 3rd-and-3 at the MSU 5-yard line, White rolled right and threw an ill advised pass that was picked off by safety Will Redmond.

It was the first of four trips inside MSU's 10-yard line that netted Auburn just two field goals.

"He knew that he made a mistake and he felt bad about it," Malzahn said. "That was his first start and, to be honest with you, I said, 'Keep your head up and keep going with it.' He responded well after that."

The loss dropped Auburn to 2-2 overall and 0-2 in the SEC. With one start under his belt, White will prepare for next Saturday's game against San Jose State and an opportunity to gain more experience and take another step forward in his development.

"We've got a lot of good guys on the team and a lot of hard workers. Nobody has quit," White said. "I'll tell you that right now. Nobody has quit on this season or anything like that. We're ready to get back tomorrow to practice, watch the film, fix what we did wrong and get ready for San Jose State."