Arkansas – Auburn: LIVE updates, scores and highlights from first half

The Arkansas Razorbacks (3-6, 1-5) need a win to keep their hopes of making a bowl game alive. The Auburn Tigers (5-4, 2-4) can become bowl eligible with a win.

There’s no shortage of reasons for either team to show up motivated and ready to play. Bowl implications, momentum entering a vital offseason and overall morale inside each program. That’s what is on the line for these two teams this afternoon in Fayetteville.

Can Kenny Guiton’s offense follow up last week’s impressive performance? Will Travis William’s defense be able to slow down his alma mater’s run game? Can the Hogs beat the Tigers in Fayetteville for the first time since 2015?

We’ll get answers to all of those questions and more as this important conference clash gets underway in Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Follow along below for live updates, scores and highlights from all of today’s action between Sam Pittman’s Razorbacks and Hugh Freeze’s Tigers.

1Q 15:00 - Arkansas 0, Auburn 0

Arkansas won the opening coin toss and will defer to the second half. Auburn will start with the ball.

1Q 12:37 - Auburn 7, Arkansas 0

Auburn strikes first on a 6-play, 75-yard opening drive, thanks to a 45-yard pass play from Payton Thorne to Caleb Burton. Jaheim Thomas jumped offsides on a 3rd and 8, giving Auburn another play. Two plays later, Thorne rumbles in for an 8-yard touchdown rush. Alex McPherson’s extra point is GOOD.

AUBURN LEADS 7-0

1Q 10:44 - Auburn 14, Arkansas 0

Following the Auburn touchdown, the Arkansas offense goes three-and-out and is forced to punt. On the ensuing punt, the Tigers’ Keionte Scott takes it 74 yards for another touchdown. Alex McPherson’s extra point is GOOD.

AUBURN LEADS 14-0

1Q 6:28 - Auburn 21, Arkansas 0

Hogs go three-and-out once again, forcing another Max Fletcher punt. Fletcher shanks it and the Tigers take over near midfield.

Arkansas gives up a 27-yard pass completion to Jarquez Hunter, putting the Tigers in the redzone. Three plays later, Thorne finds Rivaldo Fairweather for an 11-yard touchdown reception. Alex McPherson’s extra point is GOOD.

AUBURN LEADS 21-0

1Q 3:30 - Auburn 21, Arkansas 0

Arkansas goes three-and-out for the third-straight possession of this game. Auburn starts their drive near midfield once again after a bad punt.

As the Tigers start marching into Arkansas territory, Thorne’s second down pass is INTERCEPTED by Dwight McGlothern. He returns it 42 yards to set up the Razorback offense with their best field position of the day.

1Q 1:54 - Auburn 21, Arkansas 3

The Arkansas offense cannot get anything going as KJ Jefferson is stuffed on third down. Offensive line has been really struggling so far. Hogs forced to settle for a field goal.

Cam Little’s 39-yard attempt is GOOD.

AUBURN LEADS 21-3

2Q 14:44 - Auburn 21, Arkansas 3

Auburn starts their fifth drive of the day from the 20-yard line. Thorne scrambles for a gain of 17-yards before the first quarter ends. The Arkansas defense comes up huge with a stop on 3rd and 6, forcing the Tigers to punt.

The Hogs start their drive from their own 15. Unfortunately, they still can’t get anything going. Jefferson’s scramble on 3rd and 13 comes up a yard short. They can’t force Auburn to jump offsides, so Pittman is forced to take a timeout to think it over.

Arkansas decides to go for it and picks up the first down on 4th and 1. They’re able to get some momentum and string a decent drive together, into Auburn territory. The drive stalls there as Jefferson is sacked on 3rd and 5. Hogs punt it away.

2Q 9:08 - Auburn 21, Arkansas 3

Auburn’s Jay Fair gets leveled out of bounds by Jayden Johnson on his first down catch. Johnson gets flagged for unnecessary roughness and the play is under review for potential targeting.

Johnson ends up getting ejected for targeting on the play. Luckily, the Hogs are able to hold Auburn on 3rd and 3, forcing the Tigers to punt.

2Q 2:56 - Auburn 21, Arkansas 3

After a holding penalty on first down, the Hogs get forced with a 3rd and 10. Jefferson is able to find Andrew Armstrong for a 31-yard gain into Auburn territory. Unfortunately, the drive stalls there and the Hogs have to punt.

Auburn starts the drive from their own 5-yard line. The Tigers only need two plays to get some breathing room. Thorne keeps it and carries it 20 yards. Two plays later and Hunter carries it 12 yards into Arkansas territory.

Razorback defense holds Auburn to a 3rd and 1, but Hugh Freeze wants to talk it over and calls a timeout.

HALFTIME - Auburn 27, Arkansas 3

After the timeout, the Tigers pick up the first down to keep the chains moving. On the ensuing play, Thorne picks up 10 yards on another keeper.

Two plays later, Trajan Jeffcoat picks up a huge sack on Thorne to bring up 3rd and 11. Hunter drops the pass on 3rd and 11, forcing the Tigers to settle for a field goal. Alex McPherson’s 39-yard field goal attempt is GOOD.

AUBURN LEADS 24-3

Arkansas starts drive from their own 25. Jefferson scrambles for a 10-yard gain, but immediately loses it on the next play as he’s sacked. Two plays later, Auburn sacks Jefferson again and forces a fumble. Tigers recover and take over at the Arkansas 24-yard line.

Auburn can’t get it into the endzone and will settle for a field goal. Alex McPherson’s 31-yard field goal attempt is GOOD. 

AUBURN LEADS 27-3

END 2ND QUARTER

Story originally appeared on Razorbacks Wire