Auburn sophomore Robby Ashford was given a tough pill to swallow Thursday as first-year head coach Hugh Freeze named junior Michigan State transfer Payton Thorne the Tigers’ starting quarterback, ending a three-man race that featured Ashford, Thorne and redshirt freshman Holden Geriner.

“That’s not easy because you watched those other two kids compete hard for it and train all summer and work for this moment,” Freeze said after naming Thorne the starter. “But you know what, that’s life. Everyone doesn’t always gets the prize that they want.”

Considering Ashford came into the fall as Auburn’s incumbent starter after starting nine of the Tigers’ 12 games last season, surely it was hard for him watch Freeze toss the keys to Auburn’s offense to Thorne.

“It was not a slam dunk,” Freeze said, seemingly referring to the other quarterbacks’ reaction to Thursday’s news.

“I hope that everyone will handle it right… And trust me, once someone gets that job they have to hold onto it. Hopefully the others work every day to press to make me feel like I need to second-guess that. That’s the hope.”

And based on Freeze’s comments Saturday, Ashford — playing the role of a poked bear — might be doing just that.

Auburn took to Jordan-Hare Stadium for its second scrimmage of the fall Saturday morning in a showing that sounded to have looked better than the team’s first scrimmage on Aug. 12.

Thorne struggled in his first two possessions and finished the day 12-for-17 with two touchdowns and an interception, Freeze said.

Meanwhile, both Ashford and Geriner also took snaps Saturday, with Ashford seemingly taking full advantage of the opportunity.

“Payton and Robby both had solid days,” said Freeze, adding that Ashford finished the day 8-for-15 with two touchdowns and no turnovers.

Ashford’s performance Saturday was an extension to what Freeze has seen out of the sophomore since Thursday’s gut check.

“He’s probably had his best three practices the last three practices,” Freeze said. “I’m really proud of him.”

Since Thorne was named the starter, Freeze has continued to praise the other two guys who drew out Auburn’s quarterback battle and has been especially high on the prospect of Ashford being a contributor with the Tigers’ offense this season.

“I want to say this about Robby: He will always have a package,” Freeze said.

“Robby is not just a runner — he’s a dynamic runner, but he can throw. Certain things, he throws better. Hopefully, his consistency in that will continue to improve to where if we, whatever package he is in, they have to respect the pass off of it as well.”

In 2022, Ashford rushed for 710 yards and seven touchdowns — adding to more than 1,600 passing yards and another seven touchdowns.

However, Ashford’s inconsistencies with accuracy led to Freeze dipping into the transfer portal and coming away with Thorne. Ashford completed just 49% of his passes last season, while Thorne’s career completion rate eclipses the 60% mark.

And while Thorne — barring any injuries — is Auburn’s set-in-stone starter for Week 1 against UMass, Ashford isn’t throwing in the towel.

“If he continues to play like this, Payton’s going to have to play really well,” Freeze said, adding that Ashford threw it well in Saturday’s scrimmage.

“This is the way it should be. At this level of a program, we ought to have three or four quarterbacks that can push each other. Every game is going to be different, but the one thing I’ve said is that that guy’s different, now. He’s got to get some touches. And he threw it well today.”