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Jeremy Johnson struggles but Auburn finds stud in RB Peyton Barber

By Patrick Schmidt

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Jeremy Johnson received a great deal of hype in the offseason as the first-year starting quarterback was even being compared to Cam Newton, but it was running back Peyton Barber who stole the show in the opener.

The Auburn Tigers found their starting running back in Peyton Barber after he ran for 109 yards on 25 carries in the 31-24 win over the Louisville Cardinals.

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Entering the game there were questions about who would be the featured back in the Tiger offense that had the SEC’s leading rusher the last two years in Cameron Artis-Payne and Tre Mason and it looks like Barber will get the chance to make it a three-peat.

With the nation’s No. 1 junior college back in Jovon Robinson and former five-star recruit Roc Thomas expected by many to be vying for the starting role it’s Barber who emerged and Auburn needed it after Thomas was limited by injury to six carries for 26 yards and Robinson only had two carries for 16 yards and Johnson struggled for much of the game.

The ballyhooed quarterback threw three interceptions and finished the day 11-of-21 passing for 140 yards and one touchdown and one rushing touchdown.

Now that’s nothing to get excited about if you’re an Auburn fan, but the emergence of Barber, who was easily the best running back on the field today, is exciting for a team with national championship aspirations.

With Barber, a healthy Thomas and Robinson working his way into the rotation and Johnson getting comfortable under center, this Auburn rushing attack may have a chance to lead the nation in rushing like they did two years ago when they played for the national title.

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