Nick Marshall leads 'explosive' offensive outing
AUBURN – In what might have been the best performance of his career, Nick Marshall showed the progression many were expecting from Auburn's senior quarterback in his second year in Gus Malzahn's offense.
Marshall led Auburn on seven scoring drives, accounting for 326 total yards and four touchdowns in a dominant 41-7 win over LSU Saturday night.
It was just the second time in his career Marshall threw for over 200 yards (207) and rushed for over 100 (119) in the same game. He matched that feat and also accounted for four touchdowns against Texas A&M last season.
"He threw the ball well," Malzahn said. "He made some very good runs and decisions on the read zone. Nick played like one of the better quarterbacks in the entire country."
Marshall's 14-for-22 passing performance with two scores and no turnovers improved his quarterback efficiency rating (150.3), which ranks 31st nationally and sixth in the SEC. His seventh career 100-yard rushing performance set a new program record for a quarterback, topping Cam Newton's mark of six.
Auburn offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee said Auburn's offensive display, with 566 yards and five touchdowns, was "probably our most complete game" of the season in large part because of Marshall.
"I thought Nick played well for the most part," Lashlee said. "Last night was the closest to what we're trying to get to."
Lashlee said Auburn had 17 "explosive plays" on Saturday with more coming in the air than on the ground, including the 56-yard touchdown pass from Marshall to Sammie Coates midway through the first quarter.
Coates made a spectacular catch despite tight coverage from LSU's Rashard Robinson.
"I thought the play from Sammie got us started," Lashlee said. "It was a great catch. Nick, at least, gave him a chance to make a play. It was really good coverage. Sammie just took the ball and wanted it more and then drug him nine yards into the end zone.
Coates, who got back to his normal self with 144 yards and the one score, credited Marshall for the team's success.
"Nick brings something special to the game every time he steps on that field," Coates said. "You never know what to expect from him. He's a playmaker. He's going to do something great every time he got the ball in his hands."
Malzahn said they "let" Marshall throw early in Saturday's game, which helped him quickly build momentum.
"It gives me more confidence going through the game," Marshall said.
After having to defend Marshall's play in the first four weeks of the season, Malzahn was very pleased with what he saw Saturday and believes Marshall will continue his strong play.
"He is an outstanding quarterback," Malzahn said. "He wins. I think everybody saw that."