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Hog Reaction – Hogs get demolished at home by Auburn
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Auburn plays best game of year, Hogs worst in 48-10 loss
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Auburn clinched bowl eligibility Saturday behind four touchdowns from Payton Thorne and a defense that held Arkansas to 255 yards in a 48-10 win. The Razorbacks saw any chance of playing a bowl game this year disappear.
The problem for a lot of people is going to be they didn’t appear too concerned about it during the game or after. “We got our butts kicked,” was how Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman said later.
The Tigers led 14-0 after the game’s first two series thanks to a 75-yard opening drive capped by a 12-yard run by Thorne. Arkansas punted on its first drive and Keionte Scott returned it 74 yards for another touchdown.
“Fast starts have been good to us,” Auburn coach Hugh Freeze said. “I think we do a decent job of managing the game if we get out to a lead.”
Despite coming off a season-high in yards gained against Florida a week ago, the Auburn defense never allowed the Razorbacks (3-7, 1-6 SEC) to find rhythm. the Hogs needed five drives before it avoided a three-and-out. It had just 110 yards of total offense at halftime and its three points came after Dwight McGlothern’s interception allowed Arkansas to start its fourth series at the Auburn 20.
Auburn scored another touchdown on its opening drive of the second half when Thorne found Ja’Varrius Johnson against Arkansas’ blown coverage for a 14-yard score. The Tigers tacked on another score on the first play of their next drive on an 11-yard Thorne touchdown pass to Rivaldo Fairweather.
By that point, the boos that were so prevalent in the opening half-hour had morphed to apathy as about half the stadium had already cleared.
“For whatever reason, it didn’t look like we played with a lot of energy,” Pittman said. “That’s not what a good coach or a well-coached team does.”
Auburn gained 354 yards rushing with Thorne picking up 88 and a touchdown. He finished 12 of 20 passing for 163 yards and three touchdowns.
Arkansas’ KJ Jefferson was pulled in the fourth quarter for Jacolby Criswell. Criswell went for a 60-yard run on his first possession and capped the drive with a 11-yard touchdown pass to Isaac TeSlaa with 14:35 left.
Jefferson finished 10 for 16 passing for 110 yards with another 50 on the ground. He was also sacked five times.
“I thought we played our most complete game of the year against a team I thought played their best last week,” Freeze said.
Auburn ran the ball 55 times against 21 passes. The Tigers’ 354 yards rushing were their most against an SEC opponent since they ran for 543 against Arkansas in 2016.
The loss forces the Hogs to win its season finale against Missouri in order to avoid their fourth one-win-or-fewer season in SEC play since 2013. Since that time, only Vanderbilt has a worse in-conference record. In case you didn’t notice, Mizzou boat-raced past Tennessee, 36-7. Nobody saw a margin like that having Missouri on top.
Arkansas’ season went from disappointment to disaster in a hurry. The Razorbacks had earned bowl berths in each of coach Sam Pittman’s previous three years, but frustration has already led to the replacement of offensive coordinator Dan Enos and could put Pittman on tenuous ground at season’s end.
Hogs’ Sam Pittman on lackluster performance against Auburn
Absolutely horrible effort has Hogs’ coach looking almost shocked after a 48-10 beat-down at home against Tigers on Saturday.
Razorbacks’ Trajan Jeffcoat, Isaac TeSlaa after loss to Auburn
Their answer to why the Hogs were so lethargic in 48-10 home defeat, ending hopes for a bowl Saturday night.
Razorbacks appear disinterested in 48-10 loss to Auburn
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas never really was in the game. “We got our butt kicked today,” Sam Pittman said after a 48-10 loss to Auburn that ended any hopes of a bowl game and fans wondering about the future.
The Razorbacks’ offense fizzled early. The Tigers didn’t, running to a 21-3 lead dominating from beginning to end when it really didn’t matter much.
(This story will be updated)
ANDY’S PICKS: You really never know what to expect with Auburn
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — It’s Auburn week and Arkansas fans are full of confidence after getting an overtime win over a Florida team that’s not very good. They seem to forget this team is still 3-6 and the bowl destination won’t be anywhere really fancy.
Yes, the Razorbacks are improving with Kenny Guiton taking over offensive direction after Dan Enos’ unceremonious firing a few weeks ago. He went off quietly into that good night and nobody has heard a peep out of him since then. If you have paid attention, though, most of the fan base was on his side until everybody discovered he’s e-mailing UA students critiquing him after another loss to Texas A&M.
Guiton won his first game and it’s hard to know whether the Gators were not prepared or really not any good. The sneaky feeling it was about equal there and the game still went to overtime because their field goal kicker missed a 44-yarder at the end of regulation. You can jump up and down all you want about poetic justice and that, but a kick sailing about 5 yards to the left and we’re having a completely different week.
And now it’s the Tigers. At least that bird won’t be flying around the stadium here. That would be dangerous since deer season is open, it’s Veteran’s Day and camo will probably be the primary color of the day. There are plenty of tickets available. I’ve heard all week about people offering to give me tickets from all across the state.
They may be close to a sellout, but there won’t be that many people in the stands. Nobody really knows what the Hogs are going to do. Which team shows up? That’s also the question for Auburn, but they tend to make me a little uneasy, mainly because Hugh Freeze has settled on a quarterback and he won a game over the Hogs last year with Liberty nobody expected.
Pete Morgan went way out on a limb and picked a big Hogs’ win. That really wasn’t surprising. I can barely see him in the rearview mirror at this point of the season. But hair like some wrestling manager from 30-50 years ago? Really?
The Razorbacks may pull out a win in this one. Don’t expect the Tigers to just fold up the tent, though, and start getting ready for the trip home. These games are usually pretty weird and I really don’t expect this one to be much different, but keep in mind the Tigers do have a much better defense this year than the Razorbacks and that might be the edge they need. Auburn 34, Hogs 27
We’re coming to the end of the season and the games involve a lot more than just how good a team is. It’s also the time of the year when we have a pretty good idea what teams are what, but college football still remains a difficult sport to handicap because last week seldom has anything to do with this week.
Alabama at Kentucky – I thought Kentucky was supposed to be pretty good. Alabama has been supposed to be taking a backward direction, but here they are sitting at 8-1 on the season and angling for a way to get into the conversation for a national championship. They just might make it. Alabama 42, Kentucky 14.
Vanderbilt at South Carolina – The Gamecocks haven’t had a great season by any stretch, but they are good enough to handle Vandy. It does make you wonder if they are ready for another coaching search. South Carolina 28, Vandy 14.
Tennessee at Missouri – Are we starting to see the Tigers crumble after a 7-1 start. The Vols have under-performed a lot of folks’ expectations this year, but blowing out Missouri would change their minds. The worst thing for the Hogs having to play them in a couple of weeks would be that exact scenario because they do have a pretty good roster. Vols 45, Missouri 39.
Ole Miss at Georgia – Lane Kiffin hasn’t really pulled off a shocker this year, despite what you think about the win over LSU. But the Bulldogs are simply too strong for any of the goofy antics he might pull as they are probably trying to get into a New Year’s Six bowl game. Bulldogs 31, Rebels 28.
Florida at LSU – The Gators face a team that hates them with a passion. Florida simply isn’t good enough to do a whole lot about that this year. LSU 42, Florida 21.
Mississippi State at Texas A&M – Will Bobby Petrino be the offensive coordinator next year? Will Jimbo Fisher even be there to make the decision? Texas A&M boosters didn’t give him that contract to not be playing in championship games, but they simply got a different version of the coach they had. The Bulldogs are terrible, though. Texas A&M 41, Bulldogs 21.
PETE’S LOSERS: Can Hogs keep rolling against Auburn?
Saturdays were made for three things: family, football, and math.
What else would you rather do than wake up early on the first full day of the weekend and start cranking out a data set, right? I will be brief, but if you are reading this, you have probably already fallen into what I am calling the median range, or the heart of, the Arkansas fan base.
If you could rank all of us in our loyalty to the program no matter how the team is performing, throw out the top 20% of people who say they will cheer on the Hogs no matter what, toss the bottom 20% containing negative Arkansas fans who groan anytime we fall even one score behind, and what you have remaining is the pulse of the fanbase. Henceforth referred to as “The 60%.”
If you are in the top 20%, feel free to keep reading, we appreciate it and we are grateful for your loyalty. The people whom I will be addressing right now are those of you who are prime member of The 60%.
You have been faithful to an extent, and you also feel you have been loyal, perhaps even more so than deserved by Sam Pittman and our football program. You sat through a six-game losing streak while you watched the bottom 20% drop like your smartphone onto the floorboard at the start of a long drive.
Right now is where our mettle gets tested as Razorbacks fans. Admit it or not, you are wavering. The win over Florida in the Swamp last weekend was probably your catalyst, and, in reading this, you probably just realized if any of Arkansas’s next three games end in a loss, you will find that to be your bailing point. After all, we must win out to be (traditionally) bowl eligible, and a departure from having something for which to play hurts in two ways. Not only will The 60% fade away, but the attitude of the players will also diminish. The latter only makes things worse.
I am rambling, and Andy is waiting. Not to mention, he is probably also considering sending me some of these longer sentences to diagram. He is a good editor like that. So, without further delay, let us discuss Auburn coming into Fayetteville today.
Why Auburn will Win
Coaching. Hugh Freeze is in his first year at Auburn, and his ability to scheme against Arkansas is very impressive given what he did in Razorback Stadium last season as the head coach of Liberty.
They are well-balanced. Auburn does not really, in my opinion, shine in any certain aspect of the game. They just perform evenly in the first half, hoping to expose a weakness of their opponent by halftime to then attack in the second.
The proverbial chip. Auburn fans are not used to losing, and the current roster is probably trying to avoid that happening. Add to it, they have been listed as the underdogs for this game, and facing a team with only one SEC victory has got to feel a bit demeaning. No doubt they are taking a Deion Sanders “they doubt us” approach.
Why Arkansas will Win
The defense has not given up. Defensive coordinator Travis Williams has done some very impressive work, especially with the talent he has on his side of the ball. Auburn’s offense will feel smothered.
Payton Thorne. Why would I mention the Auburn quarterback as a factor in a win for us? Simple, he struggles on the road, especially in the SEC. So if you combine my previous point about our defense with his struggles as the signal caller, you have to feel this is advantage Arkansas.
Rejuvenation. Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson seemed to be relaxed and back to his old ways. Rocket Sanders seemed to be at full health in the backfield in his return at Florida. And interim offensive coordinator Kenny Guiton has thus far proven himself the man for the position. The offense was hot against the Gators, and the players all seem to have new life. He seems to have a scheme which works with the strengths of the offensive line.
In summary, now is the time to ask you directly, will you persevere, or will you fall away? I guess how Arkansas does today will be a determining factor. My thoughts? See you next week.
Arkansas, 31 – 17
Random Thoughts
We are glad to have you, Coach Guiton.
Twas the night before Auburn, and I was two Dos Equis in… Would that be Four Equis? I am terrible at Spanish multiplication.
TRIVIA QUESTION: Who released the song “Tiger Walk”, a popular rap number amongst Auburn fans?
I love kids, but am I the jerk because I get slightly irritated when they talk incessantly to puppies in a high-pitched squeal?
TRIVIA ANSWER: None other than Arkansas defensive coordinator Travis Williams. “T-Will” is actually a very talented artist and having played at Auburn along with two coaching stints there, he has used some of his brilliance in writing more than one song for his alma mater. Hopefully he stays with us for a very, very, very long time, though. Are you listening, Hunter?
Teachers have the hardest job ever. Thank you for your dedication and patience.
Be certain to listen to the game Saturday at 3:00 P.M. via HitThatLine.com and on the air at ESPN Arkansas 99.5 in Fayetteville, 95.3 in the River Valley, 96.3 in Hot Springs, and 104.3 in Harrison-Mountain Home.
SEC Picks for Week 11
It is all SEC vs SEC again this weekend. To me, these are the most interesting weeks. Anyone can win any game, well, except maybe Vanderbilt. Hey, Commodores, if a one-win SEC team fan is making fun of you … But at least you’re smart.
Not as intelligent as the great Andy Hodges, or so he tells me, since he fancies himself among the greatest of scholars. “I am the modern-day Mark Twain of language and the Aristotle of sports,” he states. I am not so certain, Hodges, but you do have a cool hairstyle very similar to Bobby “The Brain” Heenan.
(8) Alabama at Kentucky – The Crimson Tide are playing for a spot in the playoffs. Kentucky is good, but they are not good enough to stop that motivation. Bama by 14.
Vanderbilt at South Carolina – I have been way too busy the past couple of weeks to check in on Beamer’s drama, but I am guessing he is a fixture in Columbia. Gamecocks by 17.
(13) Tennessee at (14) Missouri – Am I the only one unnerved by Tigers Head Coach, Eli Drinkwitz? Tennessee and its fans may soon be in company with me. However, I do not think Missouri matches up well with the Vols. Tennessee by 24.
Auburn at Arkansas – Tell my wife if she loves me, she will let me watch the game even though we have family visiting and thus could not make the trip to Fayetteville. What better way to reunion than watching a Hogs’ victory? Razorbacks by 14.
(9) Ole Miss at (2) Georgia – GAME OF THE WEEK: You KNOW, even though they may not say it Kirby Smart and Georgia HATE being demoted to number two in the rankings. That is motivation enough to drill the Rebels at home. Add Lane Kiffin’s arrogance to the mix, and the Bulldogs have locker room banter. Ole Miss is no slouch, though, and they are well-coached, so I will have to go to a third-party for my pick on this one. Ken Masters has called it, so you had better bank on it. Bulldogs by 14.
Florida at (19) LSU – The Gators are reeling, and they certainly want to hush their 20%. Tigers by 20.
Mississippi State at Texas A&M – Talk about two big disappointments. No, not you, MSU, but the Aggies team and Jimbo Fisher. Hey, JF, it is YEAR 6; however, the good news is, in a year, you are “gonna be rich!” Aggies by 10.
That’s it for this week. I do not want to ramble further. Hang on 60%, if we win against Auburn, the Battle Line Rivalry game against Missouri will actually feel like one.
Find me on ‘X’: @PeterMorganWPS
Big run late in second half keys Hogs’ big win
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas used a 12-3 run to end the first half and a decisive 19-6 run in the second half to take an 86-68 victory over Gardner-Webb Friday night at Bud Walton Arena.
For the second-straight game, Khalif Battle came off the bench to lead the #14 Razorbacks with his second-straight 21-point game.
Helping in the 18-point win was 15 blocked shots by the Razorbacks – five from Trevon Brazile and four from Makhi Mitchell. The 15 rejections were the most by an Eric Musselman-coached college team, tying for the third-most in Razorback history and the most by the Razorbacks in 32 years since having 15 versus South Alabama on Dec. 30, 1991.
Brazile finished with 10 points and seven rebounds (4-of-4 FG, 1-1 3PT), Tramon Mark had 14 points and El Ellis added 13 points with six rebounds.
Arkansas continues its homestand on Monday (Nov. 13) versus Old dominion. Tipoff at Bud Walton Arena is set for 7 pm and the game will be broadcast on SEC Network+.
FIRST HALF: Arkansas 48, Gardner-Webb 36
• Gardner-Webb led the first 9:30 until a Tramon Mark basket put the Hogs up 16-15.
• Up three (36-33), Arkansas ended the half on a 12-3 run to lead 48-36 at the break.
• GWU start hot but finished shooting 37.1% from the field. Arkansas started slowly but ended up shooting 51.6% from the field.
• Makhi Mitchell had three blocked shots in the first half and led the Hogs with four rebounds.
• Khalif Battle led Arkansas with 13 points.
SECOND HALF: Arkansas 38, Gardner-Webb 32
• Arkansas started is 19-6 run with a 6-0 spurt to force a Gardner-Webb timeout. The run extended to 9-0 thanks to two blocked shots from Travon Brazile. Overall, Arkansas made eight-straight field goals during its 19-6 run to lead by 23 (69-46).
• Arkansas pushed its lead to 26 (86-60) after a Chandler Lawson 3-pointer with 4:30 left in the game.
HIGHLIGHTS:
• Arkansas starters were El Ellis, Davonte Davis, Tramon Mark, Trevon Brazile and Chandler Lawson.
• Gardner-Webb controlled the tip to start the game.
• GWU’s Caleb Robinson scored the game’s first points at 19:54. Chandler Lawson scored Arkansas’ first points at 19:25.
• Khalif Battle and Makhi Mitchell were the first Razorback subs.
• Joseph Pinion entered the game 11-of-11 from the free throw line in his career. He missed his first FTA versus Gardner-Webb to snap his streak. He was 7-of-7 as a freshman and made his first four this season.
• Arkansas is 3-0 all-time versus Gardner-Webb and 2-0 versus the Runnin’ Bulldogs in the Musselman era.
• Davonte Davis is 50 points shy of 1,000 for his career.
• Eric Musselman is three wins shy of 100 for his Razorback career.
• Arkansas has shot at least 50% from the field in its first two wins and help their opponents below 40%.
Information from Arkansas Communications is included in this story.
DQ recaps the week in Friday’s Ruscin & Zach podcast
We spend some time on sports, including the Harbaugh suspension breaking news. DQ recaps the week that was in RZ land.
Scorebook Live’s Nate Olson previewing playoff matchups
With the playoffs starting tonight, some big matchups and how good Fayetteville’s Drake Lindsey looks in first weekend of postseason.
