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The Gimme the HAWGS Chuck Podcast E23: Former Arkansas QB Matt Jones breaks down the Auburn win
Presented by Weichert Realtors – The Griffin Company
Eric Musselman on Hogs’ ‘worst 40 minutes’ he’s seen since being in college basketball
AUSTIN, Texas — The 12th-ranked Texas Longhorns out-scored Arkansas 25-5 to open the second half and cruised to a 90-60 victory over No. 10 Arkansas in a charity exhibition game Saturday at the new Moody Center.
Texas scored on the opening possession of the game on a 3-pointer and never surrendered the lead, taking a 40-30 advantage at the break.
While the Longhorns led by 10 at halftime, Arkansas kept the first half close – staying within 2-to-5 points – until a late Texas run. Arkansas committed 12 turnovers with just four assists while Texas had nine assists with seven turnovers.
Texas scored the first four points of the second half to lead by 14 and force a Razorback timeout. The lead would stretch to 17 before an Anthony Black layup. However, Texas would out-score the Hogs 25-5 to start the second half to put the game out of reach.
Texas had five players score in double figures including a game-high 19 from Arterio Morris.
Jordan Walsh led Arkansas with 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting with five rebounds. Nick Smith Jr., added 12 points and Kamani Johnson had a team-high six rebounds.
Arkansas will officially open the 2022-23 season on Nov. 7 (Monday) versus North Dakota State. Tipoff at Bud Walton Arena is set for 7 pm.
Razorbacks’ KJ Jefferson on just running ball in 41-27 win over Auburn
Behind Rocket Sanders’ 171 yards, quarterback was happy to see offensive line let them just pound the ball against Auburn.
Rocket Sanders after going over 1,000 yards for season in win over Auburn
Razorbacks’ running back gets 171 yards included a big 76-yard run in a ground-and-pound win over Auburn for first time since 2015.
Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman on good feeling finally getting win at Auburn
After getting past Auburn on road Saturday, Hogs’ coach just glad to end bad losing streak on The Plains.
Hogs’ safety Simeon Blair, linebacker Bumper Pool on 41-27 win over Auburn
Defensive players who have been around awhile glad to get their first win ever over the Tigers on Saturday.
INSTANT ANALYSIS: Hogs end up dominating Auburn in second half for 41-27 win
Arkansas got off to somewhat of a stumbling start in the first half, but fixed that.
Running back Raheim “Rocket” Sanders ripped off 171 yards on the ground that included a signature 76-yarder and Arkansas rolled through a dejected Auburn team, 41-27, at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala.
It ended up being pretty easy.
The Razorbacks lived up to what fans were expecting all week and the pressure on Tigers coach Bryan Harsin has probably turned into an all-out fire.
I predicted he wouldn’t make it to Halloween, but even I didn’t think it would be cutting it this close.
In addition to Sanders’ running, the Razorbacks had 290 as a team and threw in an extra 234 through the air as quarterback KJ Jefferson was an efficient 16-of-24 with one touchdown.
The Hogs are now just one win away from bowl eligibility that was never really in doubt and finally get to come back home for a game against Liberty next Saturday at 3 p.m.
Running Commentary
It’s been talked and discussed all week and Arkansas fans are confident of a win today at Auburn.
The Razorbacks are 4-3 overall and the Tigers 3-4. Both are 1-3 in the SEC and at the bottom of list in the West.
The experts are saying this is all about the Hogs’ running game with Raheim “Rocket” Sanders leading the charge. Auburn also has a pretty good ground attack led by Tank Bigsby.
But it has to be played on the field.
The Hogs will be in their classic road white road uniforms with the correct helmets, the traditional red. The Tigers will be in white pants, navy jerseys and white helmets. Thank goodness nobody is doing one of those goofy combos.
Follow along here throughout the game.
First Quarter
This didn’t start well for the Razorbacks with a shanked 27-yard punt by Reid Bauer followed by a first-down intentional grounding call against KJ Jefferson.
All of that set up Auburn near midfield and an apparent fumble by Tank Bigsby was recovered by Latavious Brine but the officials ruled him down and couldn’t get a clear enough shot on replay to overturn.
Hog fans are thinking “here we go again.”
This time, though, it didn’t lead to points although Jadon Haselwood fumbled after making a catch and the Tigers got it back and are driving.
1Q 5:55: Auburn grabs the early lead after getting only a couple of first downs following the fumble recovery. This one is shaping up to be a really ugly game or else everybody is slow waking up. Anders Carlson kicks a 46-yard field goal for first points. Auburn 3, Hogs 0
1Q 3:10: Now this looks more like it. Hogs go 75 yards in eight plays, mostly on the ground with a big pass from KJ Jefferson to Warren Thompson for 29 yards and Jefferson barely got in on a run over the right side. Hogs 7, Auburn 3
At the end of the quarter, the Tigers look like a team that has quit and I really don’t care what denials they make or anything else. If they don’t figure out something, this could be the tipping point to dump embattled coach Bryan Harsin.
Second Quarter
2Q 10:27: Things are moving for the Hogs but there is nothing smooth about this game on either side. When the receivers can’t get open against Auburn’s secondary, Jefferson takes off and drags a couple of defenders with him for the final couple of yards into the end zone and some operating room. Hogs 14, Auburn 3
2Q 3:43: After a punt by Reid Bauer completely flipped the field Auburn needs just five plays to go 93 yards as the Hogs’ defense apparently took an un-planned series off. Running back Tank Bigsby goes 41 to stop the bleeding. Hogs 14, Auburn 10
2Q 2:25: Jefferson finds Matt Landers open for a 56-yard catch-and-run but three straight incompletions lead to a Cam Little 27-yard field goal to open a one-touchdown lead. Hogs 17, Auburn 10
2Q :03: Auburn manages to move the ball quickly downfield against the Hogs’ secondary that obviously still has some issues, hitting two key passes to set up a Carlson 27-yard field goal. Hogs 17, Auburn 13
Third Quarter
The Hogs struggling on the opening drive of the second half getting off the field on third down. Jordan Domineck finally manages to trip Ashford up and then Isaiah Nichols blocks a 52-yard field goal attempt by Anders Carlson to hold off the Tigers.
3Q 6:02: With Auburn looking completely disorganized and chaotic on defense, the Hogs put together a 64-yard drive behind some big runs and key passes by Jefferson, the last one being an 11-yarder across the middle to Haselwood and they have some breathing room. Hogs 24, Auburn 13
3Q :44: A direct snap to Rashod Dubinion may have allowed the Hogs to break away completely from the Tigers. The freshman took the snap and run through the middle for a two-yard scoring run. The biggest plays came on huge runs by Sanders, who has 171 yards on the ground in what has turned into a monster day. Hogs 31, Auburn 13
4Q 7:35: Auburn has quit on this game and the problems on The Plains look real. They look like a Chad Morris-coached team that Hog fans will remember from 2019. Dubinion scores from the 2 to cap a 10-play, 84-yard drive. Hogs have 257 on the ground in the game and it’s a blowout. Hogs 38, Auburn 13
4Q 5:53: Not that it’s really going to matter, but the Tigers show some proof of life as the Hogs’ defense has probably relaxed a little with Ashford starting to hit some passes and completes a 9-yarder to a diving Camden Brown for a score. Hogs 38, Auburn 20
4Q 1:55: After Auburn made a mess of an insides kick, the Hogs drove 23 yards in eight plays before Little kicked a 37-yard field goal. Hogs 41, Auburn 20
4Q :04: The Tigers added a so-what touchdown at the end on a 1-yard run by Jarquez Hunter to bring this one to a merciful close for Auburn. Hogs 41, Auburn 27
Listen to Razorbacks-Tigers on ESPN Arkansas on Saturday morning
Fresh off the bye week, Arkansas will conclude its three-game road swing against SEC West foe Auburn.
Kickoff between the Hogs and Tigers is set for 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 29 in Auburn, Ala., at Jordan-Hare Stadium on SEC Network.
10 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT HOGS-AUBURN
1. Last time out, Arkansas went on the road to take down independent BYU, 52-35, with an explosive offensive effort. It was the first time the Razorbacks had scored 50+ points on the road against a non-conference opponent since 1910 vs. Washington University in St. Louis.
2. Auburn has claimed six straight wins over the Hogs and leads the all-time series 19-11-1. The Razorbacks are seeking their first victory against the Tigers since 2015 (54-46 4OT win) and first at Jordan-Hare Stadium since 2012.
3. Arkansas has had a 100-yard rusher in a program-record eight consecutive games dating back to last season. running back Raheim Sanders is responsible for five of those eight 100-yard efforts.
4. Sanders currently leads the SEC and ranks ninth nationally in total rushing yards (870). Arkansas averages 240.0 rushing yards per game – second-most in the SEC and ninth in the country.
5. In Arkansas’ 52-35 triumph over BYU, 10 different Hogs hauled in at least one reception for the first time since 2019 against Ole Miss. Five different Razorbacks have totaled at least 10+ receptions seven games into the 2022 season: Jadon Haselwood (31), Matt Landers (25), Trey Knox (16), Sanders (15) and Ketron Jackson Jr. (11).
6. – LB Drew Sanders has emerged as one of the prominent defensive playmakers in college football, racking up 63 total tackles with a team-leading 7.5 tackles for loss and a team-high 6.5 sacks through seven games. Sanders, who leads the SEC and is tied 10th nationally in sacks, has four double-digit tackles games this season, the most among all Hog defenders.
7. – Wide receiver Jadon Haselwood has tallied at least one reception in a team-leading 19 consecutive games, dating back to the 2021 season. Haselwood leads Arkansas’ receiving corps with a team-high 31 catches for 406 yards (13.1 avg.) and a pair of touchdowns. A transfer from Oklahoma, Haselwood has caught three or more passes in each of his first seven games as a Hog.
8. Quarterback KJ Jefferson is one of four SEC quarterbacks to throw for over 1,400 yards while also running for over 300 yards this year. Jefferson is coming off a career performance in the win at BYU, tossing a career high five touchdowns, becoming the first Arkansas QB with 5+ passing touchdowns in a single game since Brandon Allen threw a school-record seven touchdowns against Mississippi State in 2015. Jefferson is the only SEC quarterback and one of eight FBS quarterbacks with 1,400+ passing yards, 14+ passing touchdowns, 300+ rushing yards and 3+ rushing scores on the year: DeQuan Finn (Toledo), Bo Nix (Oregon), Spencer Sanders (Oklahoma State), D.J. Uiagalelei (Clemson), KJ Jefferson (Arkansas), Todd Centeio (James Madison), Frank Harris (UTSA) and Cameron Rising (Utah).
9. – LB Bumper Pool has posted two consecutive 100-tackle seasons, totaling 101 tackles in 2020 before carding a team-leading 125 stops in 2021. Pool, who has 66 total stops through seven games in 2022, could become the first Razorback with three consecutive 100-tackle seasons since LB De’Jon Harris (2017-19).
10. – The Razorbacks have started the same five linemen — Wagner, Stromberg, Latham, Limmer and Luke Jones — in every game this season, paving the way for Sanders, the SEC’s leading rusher. Behind the unit’s blocking, Arkansas ranks second in the SEC in rushing yards (1,680) and rushing yards per game (240.0) while averaging 488.57 yards of total offense through seven games. Five ball carriers have accumulated 100+ yards rushing in 2022: Sanders (870), Jefferson (344), running back A.J. Green (182), quarterback Malik Hornsby (135) and running back Rashod Dubinion (108).
HOW TO WATCH-LISTEN TO HOGS-TIGERS:
The Auburn Tigers will play the Arkansas Razorbacks this Saturday at 11 a.m. on the SEC Network with Dave Neal (play-by-play), Deuce McAllister (analyst) and Andraya Carter (sidelines) on the call.
Radio: You can listen to the game at HitThatLine.com or on the radio 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.
Satellite: Sirius XM channel 138 or 191 and 962 on the app.
Betting via SI Sportsbook
Line: Arkansas -3.5
Over/under: 62
Moneyline: ARK -188, AUB +138
FPI pick: Auburn 56.3%
Series History
Auburn has dominated the series against the Arkansas Razorbacks. The Tigers hold a 19-11 all-time series lead, including a six-game winning streak. Arkansas has one win in the series since 2013, a four-OT win in 2015.
The teams first played in 1984 when Auburn won 21-15 in Memphis, TN. They wouldn’t play against until 1993 and have seen each other every year since then.
Information from Arkansas Communications is included in this story.
ANDY’S PICKS: Hogs may need best game against Auburn
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas may be a slight favorite against Auburn but Sam Pittman’s not taking anything for granted.
“They’ve got a lot of talent and they play extremely hard,” Pittman said this week.
Some people look at the Tigers’ 3-4 record and automatically put it into the win column. The only SEC win they have came against Missouri in overtime primarily because a running back fumbled a split second before stepping into the end zone for a touchdown that would win the game.
Both teams are 1-3 in the league. The Razorbacks beat South Carolina back in the second week of the season before the Gamecocks appear to have straightened things out.
“You don’t really look at a team’s record,” Pittman said. “You just look at the team on film and Auburn’s very scary. They’re very talented on both sides of the ball.”
All of the numbers through seven games point to the Hogs just being able to keep it on the ground all day and cruise to a win. The only problem with that is Auburn watches film, too.
Tigers coach Bryan Harsin may be dancing through the flames of the dumperster fire on the the plains these days, but nobody has accused him or his staff of being blind.
They are well aware who Rocket Sanders, the leading rusher in the SEC right now, is and what he can do.
“You’ve got to get multiple players to the ball because he runs hard,” Harsin said this week. “He’s having a big year and is a really good player. He’s explosive and he runs hard. From what I’ve seen, he’s got really good vision.”
The problem is this bye week both teams have had. Hog fans needed there to be a ton of controversy swirling about Harsin, but the league drama this week has been focused more in College Station, Texas, and the downward spiral The Great Quarterback Guru has Texas A&M headed.
The quiet has been interesting and probably a little concerning to certainly the Razorback coaches.
It’s when coaches break tendencies through the first seven games and start doing all sorts of things they haven’t shown.
The guess is they’ve worked on the passing game and that could be a problem for the Hogs. Yes, they have their secondary as healthy as it’s been since starting the season.
It’s questionable they have the players to do it, but coming into last year’s game the wide receivers for Auburn couldn’t catch a cold and on a bright, sunny day in Fayetteville they couldn’t drop one.
Don’t get over-confident about this game. Weird things tend to happen in this series. Just think back to 2020 for an example.
The Hogs should get a win. KJ Jefferson is the best quarterback and when it’s a close game or nobody really knows what’s going to happen use that as the basis to judge. Hogs 35, Tigers 24
Overall in the league this is a good week with several good matchups that will answer some questions. There aren’t too many games going on at the same time, either, which makes for a good day of viewing.
Florida at 1 Georgia (-23.5): The Gators may be making steps forward, but they aren’t big enough or fast enough to take down a team that has gotten some injured players healthy and is rolling again. If this one is within single digits, Florida should just count it as a win and move on down the road. Bulldogs 35, Gators 17
Missouri at 25 South Carolina (-3.5): The Gamecocks are better this year, but the Tigers are not vastly improved over last year. This game being in Columbia gives South Carolina a chance. It will probably be close simply because the Gamecocks had a lot of improving to do and are playing in what has become a division that may not be as good as the West from top to bottom, but is just as difficult as the top teams. The Gamecocks are just trying to get there. Gamecocks 24, Tigers 14
19 Kentucky at 3 Tennessee (-11.5): The Vols are due for a hangover game because they really haven’t had one this season. They do have an even bigger game next week facing No. 1 Georgia, who may not have a cakewalk this week, either. Both should win, it may just take Tennessee a little longer in this game. Kentucky’s defense has played well at times but they haven’t seen a big-play offense like the Vols. Vols 41, Wildcats 28
15 Ole Miss (-1.5) at Texas A&M: This may be one of the most intriguing games on the schedule simply because the biggest question is if LSU exposed the Rebels last week. The second question is if the Aggies have enough players to do anything about it if they did. No idea what the answers are either way on this one but the guess here is the problems in College Station just might be bigger than anyone suspects. Rebels 29, Aggies 21
Aaron Torres on all the speculation surrounding Auburn and coaching situation
Considering there’s not a job open with Tigers not stopping speculation and Hugh Freeze might be the leading candidate.
