Auburn plays at Mississippi State on Saturday in a huge SEC West showdown, and Tigers coach Gus Malzahn said the opposing quarterback conjures memories of a recent Auburn star.
On his weekly "Tiger Talk" radio show Monday night, Malzahn was asked to compare Mississippi State star Dak Prescott to former Auburn Heisman winner Cam Newton, who was the No. 1 pick in the 2011 draft and now plays for the Carolina Panthers.
"He's got some similarities," Malzahn said, as per al.com writer Brandon Marcello "He's a big, physical guy. A lot of times in short yardage, he'll find a way to get it."
Malzahn was the offensive coordinator on the 2010 Auburn team quarterbacked by Newton that won the national title.
Malzahn also said Prescott "is just like another running back out there, and he's throwing it so well right now." He also praised the way Prescott runs the Bulldogs: "You can tell he's a leader on his team."
Prescott (6-foot-2, 235 pounds) also has drawn comparisons to former Florida star Tim Tebow, another Heisman winner. Prescott has thrown for 1,232 yards and 13 touchdowns this season, and has added 455 yards and six TDs on the ground.
Prescott has accounted for eight touchdowns in Mississippi State's past two games, wins over LSU and Texas A&M. NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks wrote that Prescott "has been spectacular for the Bulldogs this season."
Prescott has shown definite improvement as a passer this season. His completion percentage is five points higher than it was last season (63.6, to 58.4), and he has been particularly sharp the past two weeks, going 34-of-49 (69.4 percent) for 527 yards, four TDs and no interceptions.
Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.
