AUBURN, Ala - Auburn (2-2, 0-1) hosted the Arkansas Razorbacks (3-1,1-0) Saturday afternoon in a highly anticipated matchup to kick off the SEC play for both teams. The Razorbacks bested the Tigers 24-14 in an overall sloppy game. Auburn turnovers hurt them greatly as we saw the Tigers turn the ball over five times in the game. The Razorbacks took advantage by running the ball well and controlling the clock, paired with good execution on third down, Auburn was on the back foot for most of this one.
Hank Brown opened his SEC ledger with a tough first-half showing completing seven of his 13 attempts for 72 yards. Two first-half interceptions were enough to justify benching the redshirt freshman however as Payton Throne took over in the second half.
“I thought he deserved and earned the right to have the start and I was anxious to see how he performed in SEC play” Head Coach Hugh Freeze reinforced the idea he loves his players after the loss “I'm big on our players knowing that they're not defined by a performance as an individual…He did not play well in the first half… So obviously we aren't doing a very good job of coaching quarterbacks right now”
Thorne brought experience and an extra facet to the Auburn offense, his legs were a factor as he rushed for 20 yards and his experience helped him to steady the Auburn offense, finding the end zone for the first Auburn score. Thorne closed with 213 yards in the air completing a solid 12 of his 22 passes as the Tigers battled back in the second half Thorne was at the forefront with a 161.3 passer rating, near perfect. Thorne threw an interception when a post route to an open Cam Coleman bounced off the receivers hands and into the arms of a waiting DJ Metcalf.
One of the only standouts on offense for the Tigers was Keandre Lambert-Smith, he connected with Thorne for a 54-yard play that put the Tiger’s in the end zone, two plays later Smith and Thorne connected on a slant for a touchdown that broke the shutout up for Auburn. The pair connected again for a 67-yard touchdown that at the time saw the Tigers pull within a score of the Razorbacks. Lambert-Smith finished with 156 yards receiving and two touchdowns on five catches.
The Auburn defense played well limiting the Razorbacks to just 24 points in the loss, forcing two turnovers, both interceptions via Kayin Lee, jumping two routes. As well as they played their inability to get off of the field on third down was their downfall as Arkansas was 9-19.
“It was devastating truthfully… they had fought so hard after the offense had put us in some bad spots” Coach Freeze said after the loss “We gotta look at ourselves as coaches first, I don't think it was scheme”
Even further than just third downs, was their inability to get off the field on third and long, one late hit out of bounds and blown contain and coverage lead to Arkansas being able to sustain long drives and wear the Auburn defense down.
“Three or four third and longs that if we get off the field and get the ball back we get a chance to get a tie game.”
For Arkansas it was more of the same style, Taylen Green did it with his feet as Auburn was able to limit the number one razorback receiver Andrew Armstrong to just five catches for 47 yards. Taylen Green had 80 yards rushing despite being sacked for 38 yards total. Arkansas running back Ja’Quinden Jackson ran the rock well on 22 attempts he racked up 75 yards and two touchdowns. Notably, for the Razorbacks, Isaiah Sategna had three catches for 85 yards and a touchdown where he was able to go up and over an Auburn defender on a long third down.
The Tigers finish the five-game homestand next week when they take on the Oklahoma Sooners. The game will be televised on a TBD network and is a flex kickoff at either 2:30 or 3:30 Central Time.
