Auburn head coach [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] had high hopes of leading his team to an SEC-opening win over Arkansas on Saturday, with quarterback Hank Brown playing a major role in the outcome.
However, it was proven that Brown may not be ready for the bright lights of SEC competition.
Brown struggled in his first start against an SEC opponent by completing just 7-of-13 passes for 72 yards and three interceptions in the first half. The turnovers did not stop with Brown as [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag], who took over the offense in the 2nd half, also threw an interception in the contest.
In all, Auburn committed five turnovers on Saturday, leading to a 24-14 loss to the Arkansas Razorbacks at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama.
Auburn (2-2, 0-1 SEC) picked up momentum in the second half after trailing Arkansas (3-1, 1-0 SEC) 7-0 at halftime. Thorne put Auburn on the board with 5:44 remaining in the 3rd quarter when he connected with [autotag]KeAndre Lambert-Smith[/autotag] on a 10-yard pass to tie the game at 7-7. Thorne capped the 77-yard drive by connecting with Lambert-Smith on two passes for 64 yards, with the first connection going for 54 yards. Arkansas regained momentum on the next drive when quarterback Taylen Green found Isaiah Satenga from 58 yards out to score a Hail Mary-style touchdown to regain the lead, 14-7, with 2:03 to go in the quarter.
The team’s traded scores again in the 4th quarter. Arkansas kicker Kyle Ramsey nailed a 43-yard field goal to open the final stanza and to put the Razorbacks up, 17-7 with 12:04 to go. Auburn responded by converting a 4th down and 2 with a 67-yard connection between Thorne and Lambert-Smith trimmed Arkansas’ lead to 17-14 with less than 10 minutes remaining.
The dagger was delivered by the Razorbacks with 3:42 remaining in the game when running back Ja’Quinden Jackson scored from one yard away to extend Arkansas’ lead to 24-14.
The first half featured less-than-expected fireworks as the Razorbacks carried a 7-0 lead into the locker room. The Tigers held an advantage in the yards department, out-gaining the Razorbacks 173-164, but four turnovers plagued the Tigers’ chances of scoring in the first half.
After a scoreless first quarter, Arkansas struck first on the first play of the 2nd quarter when running back Ja’Quinden Jackson rushed from one yard out to push Arkansas ahead, 7-0, completing a 15-play, 81-yard drive that took 7:05 off the clock.
Auburn had several chances to score late in the 2nd quarter, but a fumble by Damari Alston was recovered in the end zone, thus erasing a 36-yard run and a potential Auburn score with 1:58 remaining in the quarter. Brown then completed a 25-yard pass to [autotag]Rivaldo Fairweather[/autotag] to give Auburn a 1st down at the Razorbacks’ 27-yard line but threw an interception on the next play to kill the threat.
Next up for Auburn is a contest with the No. 13 Oklahoma Sooners for the final installment in a stretch of five home games. Kickoff is scheduled for next Saturday, Sept. 28 at either 2:30 or 3:15 p.m. CT
Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__