The Arkansas Razorbacks travelled to Auburn this weekend with extra enthusiasm as they faced their former head coach. The Razorbacks looked to show Chad Morris their potential under the leadership of Sam Pittman. With the remnants of Hurricane Delta coming through Auburn the teams were prepared for wet and windy conditions.
First Quarter
After a slow start for both teams offensively Auburn would strike first with a blocked punt touchdown made possible by a false start the play before. The Razorbacks offense went 3-and-out the ensuing drive before punting the ball back to Auburn on their own twenty-three yard line. Auburn finished a five play 47-yard drive with a field goal to make the score 10-0 with :36 left in the First Quarter.
Second Quarter
Razorbacks would begin the 2nd Quarter five play 22-yard drive before giving Auburn the ball via punt. The Tigers would take advantage of this opportunity with a ten play 80-yard drive resulting in a touchdown making the score 17-0. The hogs quickly answered with a 3 minute 65-yard drive where Feleipe Franks would found Mike Woods in the end zone for a 4-yard touchdown. After a short drive and punt from the Tigers, Franks and company would start their drive on the twenty five. After a 44 yard reception by De’Vion Warren on first down the Hogs moved their way down to the Auburn 31.
After making into the redzone Franks would hook up once more with Warren for a seven yard touchdown making the score 17-12. On Auburns following drive they had a 26-yard run by Tank Rigsby that led to a 30-yard strike from Nix to Seth Williams. This drive would end with a field goal and :38 seconds in half Auburn leading 20-12. Arkansas would run the ball twice and take a shot downfield before taking it to half time.
Third Quarter
Auburn began the 2nd-half with the football and after a 5 minute drive that fizzled out the Hogs got the football on their own fifteen. The drive was catalyzed by a 15-yard facemask penalty and the Razorbacks would nickel and dime their way down the field. Trelon Smith would combine for 64-yards(29 rush, 40 receiving) on a drive capped off by a TD-reception from Smith yet again going for two unsuccessfully (20-18 Tigers). This would be the only score of the 3rd Quarter.
Fourth Quarter
Arkansas closed the gap and it seemed that the rallying Hogs had stolen the momentum back from Auburn, but that didn’t last long as Auburn would score on a 9 play 64-yard drive with 14:51 to go in the fourth, the score 27-18 Tigers lead. Arkansas, unlike the team of the last two seasons, wouldn’t give up. On 2nd down with 7 yards to go Franks would connect with Tight End Blake Hern for 35 yards. Franks injured a wrist later on in the drive bringing in QB Malik Hornsby.
Hornsby would attempt a read option play followed by a play action pass that never materialized he scrambled and was tackled 4 yards short of the goal line. A field goal by AJ Reid would bring the score to 27-21 11:37 remaining. The Razorback defense stood forcing Nix and the Tigers to a three and out their next drive. The hogs would methodically make their way down field but at the Auburn 41-yard line Briles’ offense was faced with a 4th and 5. Franks connected with Woods for 11 yards to extend the drive. The following play Franks and Warren would hook up again for a 30-yard touchdown reception followed by a successful PAT giving the Hogs a 28-27 lead with 5:29 left.
The tigers worked their way into field goal range with a 7 play 48 yard drive but with 2:38 left in the game Auburn couldn’t connect. Arkansas had an opportunity to put this game away but after a 5 yard loss on first down the Hogs were against the sticks. After two more rush attempts, and forcing Auburn to burn all their timeouts, Caratan’s short punt would give the Tigers the ball at the Arkansas 45. Tank Rigsby with two rushes and a reception would put the Tigers in field goal range. With the clock running and :20 left Nix went to spike the ball to stop the clock. Nix however bobbled the snap making a spike intentional grounding. The problem with this is that Nix spike was backwards and clearly a fumble.
After some stumbling and fighting the Hogs came up with possession of the football. The Refs blew the play dead and Auburn would maintain possession because of the grounding call would lose a down. Carlson would split the uprights with :07 seconds left and Auburn went up 30-28. The Hogs would receive the ball and after attempting to toss it down field and lateral the Tigers recovered a illegal forward pass to end the game.
Summary
The game was highlighted by the bad call by the refs and this will likely be remembered for years to come. Sam Pittman has this hogs team in a much better place as they should be respected by not only every team in the SEC, but every team in the country at this point. Aside from the poor tackling, which could somewhat be contributed to the conditions, the Razorbacks put on another good performance on Saturday. If it weren’t for a missed extra point that led to two failed 2-point conversion attempts the game would have likely had a different outcome. You can’t do ifs ands and buts though as football works this way. The one thing that can be controlled however is the Officiating can be executed correctly at all times.
The Razorbacks will face host Ole Miss next Saturday. Kickoff at 2:30 Central Time.
Tyler Callahan
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