Yahoo Sports Instant Analysis: Auburn drops fourth straight game, falls to Arkansas 41-27
Auburn was able to keep it close in the first half but the Arkansas Razorbacks pulled away in the third quarter to win 41-27 in Jordan-Hare Stadium.
With their fourth straight loss, Auburn (3-5, 1-4 SEC) has now lost to every SEC West team under Bryan Harsin and does not have an active winning streak against any of their divisional rivals.
The Tigers had a solid start to the game, forcing a three-and-out on defense and marching into Anders Carlson’s range on their first drive, however, he missed the 46-yard attempt. After a Razorbacks fumble on their ensuing drive, he got a second attempt and nailed it, giving Auburn a 3-0 lead to start the game.
The lead would not last as the Razorbacks marched down the field and made sure to finish their drive with a touchdown, taking a 7-3 lead with 3:10 left in the first quarter.
The Razorback’s success in the red zone was the difference in the game, they scored four touchdowns in their first five trips to build the commanding 31-13 lead. Auburn scored once in their first two trips, a 24-yard field goal.
With Auburn trailing 14-3 in the second quarter, Tank Bigsby and Robby Ashford were able to get Auburn back in the game with their legs. Ashford ran for 31 yards and a few plays later Bigsby ripped off a 41-yard touchdown run to make it a 14-10 game and bring Jordan-Hare Stadium alive.
The Tigers were unable to carry this momentum into the second half, Auburn moved the ball to open the second half but stalled and was forced to attempt a 52-yard field goal, which was blocked.
The Razorbacks took advantage of the opportunity, going on a nine-play, 64-yard touchdown drive and taking a 24-13 lead.
As has been the case all season, Auburn’s offense had no answers in the second half. They did not record a first down on either of their next two drives and the defense once again got worn down.
The Razorbacks scored touchdowns on their first three touchdowns of the half to pull away 38-13 and secure their first win over Auburn since 2015. They finally found success on the ground in the second half, rushing for 220 yards after managing just 70 yards in the first half.
The Tiger’s two scoring drives of the half came when the game was well in hand for Arkansas. With Ashford finding Camden brown for a nine-yard touchdown and Jarquez Hunter punching it in with 4 seconds left to make it a 41-27 Arkansas win.
