Auburn falls to Arkansas 24-14 on Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium to drop to 2-2 and 0-1 in the SEC. The game was very similar to the Tigers’ loss to Cal just two weeks ago when they lost 21-14. Turnovers and quarterback play were the biggest issues for the Tigers in the loss, They gave the ball back to the Razorbacks five times which resulted in ten points. The Tigers are now in a must-win situation this Saturday at home when they host the Oklahoma Sooners. The thought going into the season was the Tigers could start 5-0 with the entire month of September being at home. Now they just look to be over .500.
Auburn Falls to Arkansas 24-14
Hank Brown Struggles
Hank Brown received positive reviews after his first start in week three against New Mexico. In that game, he was 17 of 25 for 235 yards and four touchdowns. In key statistic in the 45-19 win was he threw zero interceptions. He did not have the same success on Saturday in the SEC opener against Arkansas.
He opened the game well starting the first possessions after a missed field goal for Arkansas kicker Kyle Ramsey. Brown started three for three as the Tigers moved to the Arkansas 29. On first and ten with 6:59 in the quarter, he forced a pass to Rivaldo Fairweather that was tipped and intercepted by Deneiko Slaughter. After the good start, Brown went three for ten for the rest of the half. That turnover led to the first Arkansas points. The Razorbacks capped off a 15-play, 81-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run by Ja’Quinden Jackson to go up 7-0 with 14:49 in the second quarter.
The redshirt freshman quarterback would throw two more interceptions before halftime. He threw another with 49 seconds left to Razorback defender Jayden Johnson. The Tigers’ defense bailed Brown out after that turnover by getting one of their own on the next play. However, two plays later on the Arkansas 27 Brown threw his third off a bad pass that was picked off by TJ Metcalf. That was the day for Brown.
Payton Thorne Takes Over
As the second half began, the Tigers turned back to Payton Thorne. He played much better than Brown did. Thorne was 13 of 22 for 213 yards and two touchdowns. He did throw one interception. He found KeAndre Lambert-Smith for the first score with 5:44 left in the third quarter to tie the game at seven. It was a ten-yard pass that was set up two plays earlier by a 54-yard reception from Lambert-Smith.
The Razorbacks would go up 14-7 with 2:03 in the third when Taylen Green found Isaiah Sategna for 58 yards. The Tigers defense had a chance to get the ball back with it being third and 19, but like a lot of times this season, they could not get off the field when it mattered. That was followed up by an interception by Thorne that was not his fault. With 14 seconds left in the quarter, Thorne found a open Cam Coleman over the middle. The ball hit Coleman in the hands but was unable to haul in the pass. That resulted in a tipped pass that was intercepted by Metcalf.
The Razorbacks took advantage and extended the lead with a 43-yard field goal by Ramsey to go up 17-7 early in the fourth quarter. Four plays later on a fourth and two, Thorne would connect with Lambert-Smith again for a 67-yard touchdown to make it 17-14 with 9:50 left in the game. Lambert-Smith was a bright spot in the game for Auburn with five catches for 156 yards and two touchdowns.
The score seemed to give the Tigers momentum, but the defense could not come up with a stop. The Razorbacks went on a 12-play, 75-yard drive that chewed up 6:12 off the clock. Jackson capped off the drive with a one-yard touchdown to give Arkansas a 24-14 lead. Auburn had two more chances with the ball but was unable to move it.
Run Game?
In the preseason, running back Jarquez Hunter was voted to the All-SEC team. Last week against New Mexico he had a great performance rushing for 152 yards and one touchdown. The team had 268 yards. Against the Razorbacks, the Tigers rushed for 146 but it could have been better. They averaged 5.6 yards per carry, but the commitment to the ground game was not there. With Brown struggling in the first half, it would have been helpful to have a more committed focus to that part of the offense. Damari Alston had the best run of the day for 36 yards, but as he was about to cross the endzone he fumbled. That occurred with 1:58 in the second and would have tied the game at seven.
Defense Held Their Own
The defense did a good job of keeping the offense in the game. They caused a few turnovers of their own. Kayin Lee and Sylvester Smith both had interceptions with Smith getting a return of 33 yards. Jerrin Thompson and Dorian Mausi had eight tackles a piece with the unit totaling three sacks. The biggest issue for the defense was contain on Green for Arkansas. The Razorbacks quarterback on multiple occasions avoided Auburn defenders to either get a big run or create more time to pass. In the game, he was 12 of 27 for 151 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed for 80 yards. After Auburn falls to Arkansas 24-14, the Tigers have a lot of questions that need to be answered.
