AUBURN — Breaking down Auburn’s A-Day football scrimmage on a warm Saturday from Jordan-Hare Stadium...

Offense: The spotlight was focused squarely on the quarterbacks battling for No. 1 — Kodi Burns and transfer Chris Todd — as they worked in the spread offense employed by new offensive coordinator Tony Franklin.

The quest to find the top QB will likely continue well into summer practice.

Early on, Burns looked like a million dollars. He was smooth in the pocket, threw the ball with zip, displayed great quickness and appeared as comfortable as a soft pillow. He showed the ability to throw the deep ball — such as a 28-yard TD strike to Robert Dunn — and also made the quick passes over the middle.

Todd was a bit shaky early, and looked a little star struck in his debut in front of the Auburn fans. By the second quarter, he started getting into a bit of a groove. In the second half, he showed the poise and displayed leadership qualities.

With his shoulder still tender, Todd doesn’t have the zip on the football he will have once he gets healthy. It will take more time. He did show a little better touch on the football than Burns.

Neither did much to distance themselves from the other. Burns may have had his best day passing of the spring. He’s a gamer. Todd obviously understands this offense, a system he learned as a prep star.

Call it a coin toss right now, with maybe a slight edge to Burns after Saturday’s show. Burns completed 14-of-21 passes for 142 yards. Todd was 18-of-27 for 190 yards.

Neal Caudle looked solid when he got some snaps in the second half. Should Burns or Todd falter or be injured, Caudle is certainly capable of handling the chores.

Sixteen players caught passes in what was a pass-happy offense on Saturday. Robert Dunn led the way with five catches for 69 yards and two touchdowns. Tight end Tommy Trott looks to be a weapon at tight end.

“It’s the best we’ve caught the football, so we’re getting better,” Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville said.

With several of the Auburn running backs banged up, the emphasis was on the pass on Saturday. Come this fall, look for Tiger backs to share the load on offense.

And it won’t be an all-shotgun offense. Tuberville says there will be plenty of times the QB will line up under center with two running backs behind when it’s time to get the tough yards.

Defense: You couldn’t tell much about what kind of schemes new defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads will present. Everything was kept basic on Saturday.

I was impressed by the coverage of the secondary on the deep routes. Auburn receivers had to work hard to get open and often didn’t succeed.

“It’s the best I’ve seen us break on the ball,” Tuberville said.

The defense looked best early in the scrimmage, then predictably wore down late against the quick tempo of the Tiger offense.

“Sucking wind a bit,” is how Tuberville described it.

Players that stood out to me were linebackers Craig Stevens, Josh Bynes and Tray Blackmon, defensive backs Mike McNeil, Jerraud Powers and Zac Etheridge, defensive end Michael

Coggins and tackle Sen’Derrick Marks.

Special teams: Not much to write about here. Wes Byrum did kick through his only field goal try of 40 yards and Ryan Shoemaker punted OK. Newcomer Clinton Durst punted three times for a 48.3 average.The kicking game should be solid.

Overall: As spring games go, this was more entertaining than usual with all the footballs flying around. The offense has adapted quickly to Franklin’s wide-open brand on offense, and the defense looks pretty quick too in trying to keep up with it. Only one penalty in the game for 5 yards. Impressive.