Arkansas walked into halftime at Jordan-Hare Stadium with a 10-3 lead over Auburn, and the first 30 minutes gave the Razorbacks plenty to like - and a few things to clean up.
The biggest edge came from the Arkansas defense, which spent the half smothering Auburn’s offense. The Tigers managed just 109 total yards, and Byrum Brown never found a rhythm either on the ground or through the air.
Brown finished the half with six carries for -3 yards and completed 13 of 20 passes for 91 yards. Jeremiah Cobb, who ran for 153 yards against Arkansas in Fayetteville last year, was also bottled up, gaining only 19 yards on seven carries.
Ron Roberts said Tuesday he was excited to go back to Auburn, as he hadn’t been back to the Plains since serving as AU’s defensive coordinator under Hugh Freeze in 2023. His defense looked just as eager to make the trip count.
Arkansas also found a little spark in the run game, something that has been a major storyline all season. Sutton Smith broke loose for a 65-yard run that set up a Braylen Russell touchdown from the 1-yard line. Cam Settles added eight carries for 27 yards, Markeylin Batton got his first career snaps and turned four carries into 11 yards, and KJ Jackson helped move the chains with a third-down scramble in the first quarter.
Still, the Razorbacks left points on the field. After Auburn turned Arkansas away on downs on the Tigers’ opening drive, Ryan Silverfield sent out Max Gilbert for a 53-yard field goal try. Gilbert came into Saturday 1-for-5 on field goals of 50 yards or longer.
The offense showed signs of life, but it never quite put Auburn on the ropes. Jackson threw an interception into double coverage on a pass intended for Antonio Jordan, then missed an open Ismael Cisse on a seam route on the next possession.
Even with Auburn struggling badly for most of the half, the Tigers are still hanging around because Arkansas hasn’t fully cashed in on the chances in front of it.
In Other News...
Arkansas Fans Are Running Out Of Patience With This Offensive Struggle
Arkansas offense left plenty to sort through after a frustrating showing against Auburn, even with the defense doing enough to keep the game within reach. KJ Jackson finished 14 of 30 for 188 yards with a touchdown and an interception, and while the Razorbacks found some success on the ground, the attack never found a steady rhythm when it mattered most.
Ryan Silverfield has already made it clear he is open to staff changes if the issues continue, which only adds to the pressure around an offense that has been too uneven for comfort. Nothing has been announced yet, but with fan patience thinning and the results not matching the effort on the other side of the ball, the next move on that side of the program is going to draw plenty of attention. [Read more 🡒]
Caliparis Young Arkansas Team Faces Its First Real Measuring Stick
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Arkansas Let A Promising SEC Start Slip Away At Auburn
Arkansas had the kind of start on the road in Auburn that can make a team believe it has found something in SEC play. The Razorbacks scored first and controlled the flow early by limiting Auburns offensive possessions in the first half, a formula that kept the game on their terms for long stretches before the momentum began to tilt.
Byrum Brown and Auburn changed the feel of the afternoon after halftime, stringing together multiple touchdown drives to fuel the comeback and leave Arkansas on the wrong end of a 26-23 decision. Both coaches pointed to the games adjustments and shifting dynamics afterward, which is what makes this one sting for the Razorbacks: a promising start, a winnable road spot, and a finish that slipped away just when it seemed within reach. [Read more 🡒]