Coming off a open date, the Auburn Tigers were looking to get back to their winning ways. They did that with a convincing 51-10 victory over the Arkansas Razorbacks on Saturday. The win was the fourth consecutive in the series for Auburn. The Tigers have won each by an average margin of 39.3 points. Auburn led this one from the start and was led by a stout defense and a strong rush attack.
Auburn Runs Past Arkansas
Replacing Whitlow
A big question going into this week’s game was how do the Tigers replace the production of JaTarvious Whitlow?
The rushing attack went with a running back by committee approach. Eight different Tigers carried the ball on Saturday to a total of 298 yards rushing. Leading the way for Auburn was senior Kam Martin with 84 yards on 10 carries. Martin was a big catalyst for getting the offense going early in the game. Especially on the second possession for the Tigers. Leading 7-0, Martin busted loose for a 52-yard run to set Auburn up inside the 15 that would result in a Shaun Shivers six-yard touchdown run. That score put Auburn up 14-0 with 10:48 remaining in the first quarter. Shivers would end the day with 28 yards on five carries. Harold Joiner was the second leading rusher on the day with 59 yards and D.J. Williams added 48.
Bo Nix Rebound
Before Florida, a lot of praise had been handed to Bo Nix with how he has handled himself as a true freshman. That praise had leveled off after his 11 for 27 and three interception performance in the 24-13 loss to the Gators.
On Saturday the offense stalled after going up two scores early and would only take a 17-0 lead into halftime after an Anders Carlson field goal late in the first quarter. The Tigers rushed for 125 yards in the first half but only had 45 yards passing. Nix was only four of nine and wasn’t given much of an opportunity through the air. In the second half Nix was eight for eight with 131 yards and three touchdowns.
Two of those touchdown passes were to Seth Williams and the first one opened the scoring in the second half. The Razorbacks had just kicked a field goal to get within 14 points, but a mismatch in coverage created an open opportunity for Nix to hit Williams on a 48-yard score to go up 24-3 with 4:19 remaining in the third. Williams would end the day with 90 yards off four receptions. Anthony Schwartz was big in the second half as well with six catches for 73 yards and a touchdown. Auburn outscored Arkansas 34-10 in the second half and reach the 50-point mark for the third time this season.
Auburn Defense Shines Again
The offense may have some inconsistencies, but the defense has been nothing but consistent all season. They stood out again against the Razorbacks. On the first Arkansas possession Marlon Davidson took the ball away from quarterback Ben Hicks to set up the first score of the game. Of course, Derrick Brown was being disruptive with five tackles. The defense overall had nine tackles for loss and sacked the quarterback three times. The Razorbacks were never able to get the running game going either with just 52 yards on the ground with a 1.9 yards average per carry.
Record Broken And Streak Snapped
After the 48-yard touchdown reception by Williams, Carlson was successful with the PAT. That was meaningful because it gave Auburn its 303rd consecutive extra point converted, and it broke the record that had been previously held by Florida State from 2012-16. Later in the game though he would miss an extra point that would leave the streak at 304 that started in 2013.
What’s Next?
Auburn will conclude the month of October by traveling to Baton Rouge next week to battle LSU in what will be a very important game in the SEC West race. It will also be the last of three consecutive games away from home.
Auburn Runs past Arkansas Main Photo:
FAYETTEVILLE, AR – OCTOBER 19: Auburn Tigers quarterback Bo Nix (10) carries the ball during the game between the Auburn Tigers and Arkansas Razorbacks at Razorback Stadium on October 19, 2019 in Fayetteville, AR. (Photo by Andy Altenburger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
