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Metcalf’s big day against Auburn lands top SEC defensive honor

Grabbing pair of interceptions, forcing fumble against Auburn on Saturday gets TJ Metcalf recognition from league headed to Arlington.

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Getting a couple of interceptions shot Arkansas defensive back TJ Metcalf into the SEC Defensive Player of the Week following his performance in the 24-14 win at Auburn in their league opener Saturday.

Metcalf had a role in four of the Razorbacks’ five takeaways with two interceptions, a forced fumble and a pass breakup that led to Doneiko Slaughter’s interception at the Arkansas 19-yard line on the Tigers’ opening drive of the game.

Three of the four takeaways he had a hand in ended Auburn drives in the red zone. Following the pass breakup that led to an interception, Metcalf jarred the ball loose from Auburn running back Damari Alston on the Arkansas five-yard line, which the Razorbacks recovered in the end zone.

Metcalf then made a diving interception of Auburn quarterback Hank Brown at the Arkansas eight-yard line with just 26 seconds remaining in the second quarter. The sophomore collected his second interception of the day with 14 seconds on the clock in the third quarter.

Metcalf also finished with four tackles and two pass breakups.

The Birmingham native became the first Arkansas defender with at least two interceptions, two pass breakups and one forced fumble in a game since defensive back Kenoy Kennedy accomplished the feat against South Carolina in 1999.

He also became the first Razorback to register an interception in consecutive games since Dwight McGlothern accomplished the feat in 2022-23. Metcalf was the first Razorback with multiple interceptions in a game since Alfahiym Walcott (2) vs. FIU in 2023.

Metcalf is one of just two SEC defenders with two interceptions in a game this season, joining Alabama’s Keon Sabb. He currently ranks third nationally in interceptions per game (0.8). Through four games this season, Metcalf leads the Arkansas defense in total tackles (26), interceptions (3) and forced fumbles (1).

He is the second Razorback to earn SEC weekly honors, joining Fernando Carmona, who was named SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week on Sept. 2. He is the first Razorback to earn SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors since Lorando Johnson on Nov. 6, 2023.

Arkansas continues its conference slate by traveling to Arlington, Texas for the annual Southwest Classic matchup with Texas A&M at AT&T Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 28. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. on ESPN.

Information from Arkansas Communications and the SEC is included in this story.

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2024 Razorbacks Football

Thu, Aug 29vs UAPB (Little Rock)W, 70-0
Sat, Sep 7@ Oklahoma StateL, 31-39 2OT
Sat, Sep 14vs UABW, 37-27
Sat, Sep 21@ AuburnW, 24-14
Sat, Sep 28vs Texas A&M (Arl)L, 21-17
Sat, Oct 5vs TennesseeW, 19-14
Sat, Oct 19vs LSUL, 34-10
Sat, Oct 26@ Mississippi StateW, 58-25
Sat, Nov 2vs Ole MissL, 63-35
Sat, Nov 16vs Texas11:00 AM
Sat, Nov 23vs Louisiana TechTBD
ESPN+/SECN+
Sat, Nov 30@ MissouriTBD
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2024 High School Rankings

Following is the Arkansas Sports Media High School Football Poll including the Overall Top 10, the top five in Classes 7A, 6A, 5A, 4A, 3A and 2A, plus the top three in the 8-man division, as voted by a panel of sports media from around the state for the week ending August 24. Ranking is given with first-place votes received, records, total points and ranking from last week's poll:
OVERALLRecordPtsPrv
1.Bryant (18)8-02521
2.Conway (6)8-02302
3.Greenwood (2)8-02103
4.Little Rock Parkview7-11714
5.Bentonville5-31416
6.Benton7-11265
7.Fayetteville6-21008
8.Pulaski Academy6-2757
9.Rogers5-3459
10.Shiloh Christian6-24010
Others receiving votes: Marion 13, Valley View 9, Joe T Robinson 8, Mountain Home 4, Cabot 3, Elkins 3.
CLASS 7A
1.Bryant (20)8-01241
2.Conway (6)8-01052
3.Bentonville5-3753
4.Fayetteville6-2455
5.Pulaski Academy6-2354
Others receiving votes: Rogers 5.
CLASS 6A
1.Greenwood (26)8-01301
2.Benton7-11022
3.Shiloh Christian6-2713
4.Marion7-1524
5.Mountain Home7-131
Others receiving votes: Little Rock Catholic 4.
CLASS 5A
1.Little Rock Parkview (23)7-11271
2.Joe T Robinson7-1902
3.Valley View (3)8-0803
4.Hot Springs Lakeside7-1484
5.Farmington7-130
Others receiving votes: Camden Fairview 4, Maumelle 4, Morrilton 3, Greenbrier 2, Harding Academy 1.
CLASS 4A
1.Elkins (19)8-01161
2.Arkadelphia (5)6-2792
3.Little Rock Mills (1)8-0703
4.Warren6-2404
5.Malvern (1)8-0315
Others receiving votes: Dardanelle 22, Southside Batesville 11, Mena 8, Bauxite 7, DeWitt 4, Highland 2.
CLASS 3A
4.Bismarck (15)8-01054
5.Fordyce (4)8-0765
Prescott (3)7-1531t
1.Osceola (2)6-149
3.Mayflower (1)8-036
Others receiving votes: Booneville (1) 31, Rivercrest 19, Mansfield 14, Charleston 4, Rison 3.
CLASS 2A
1.Carlisle (21)8-01211
2.Conway Christian (4)8-01042
3.Des Arc7-1663
4.Bigelow (1)6-2455
5.Murfreesboro6-230
Others receiving votes: Marked Tree 10, Mineral Springs 6, Junction City 5, Cross County 1, Mount Ida 1, Poyen 1
8-MAN SANCTIONED
1.Strong-Huttig (25)5-0761
2.Midland (1)7-0502
3.Cedar Ridge7-1253
Others receiving votes: Rector 5.

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ESPN ARKANSAS 99.5 IN FAYETTEVILLE, 95.3 IN THE RIVER VALLEY, 96.3 IN HOT SPRINGS, 104.3 IN HARRISON-MOUNTAIN HOME.