Freeze discussed his interactions with Thorne during the game, particularly after less-than-ideal throws. “I spoke with him immediately after the play on the sidelines,” Freeze explained. “With the iPads available, Jessie (Stone) and I can review plays and say, ‘Do you see what I see?’ Payton handles tough coaching well.”
Freeze expressed frustration about some third-down plays, noting how critical they are for future games. He acknowledged that his reaction was due to his high expectations, indicating that he wouldn’t be so concerned if he didn’t believe in Thorne’s potential. “I expect him to execute correctly about 95 percent of the time on certain plays. I was only truly upset once and mildly frustrated a few other times. Despite that, he still made some good throws and scored a touchdown. My concern is to protect him from unnecessary hits, and it’s clear that while I believe in him, there are expectations for improvement.”
After the game, Freeze pointed out areas for Thorne to improve. “Payton needs to refine a few things, and it’s frustrating because he knows better. We missed a crucial wide-open spot on third down that should have been his first option, and we need to ensure that doesn’t happen again.”
As Thorne enters his fourth season as a Power Five starting quarterback, Freeze remains confident in his ability to address his mistakes from week one and prepare effectively for Auburn’s game against Cal.
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