Arkansas drops sixth straight game in second half offensive implosion
Arkansas Razorbacks interim head coach Bobby Petrino sarcastically pointed out earlier this week that it had been ‘a minute’ since his defense forced a turnover and defensive back Kani Walker answered the challenge to change that.
Walker’s first interception as a Hog was returned 89 yards for a touchdown and gave Arkansas a 21-10 advantage going into halftime, but four second half turnovers led to the Auburn Tigers earning their first SEC victory 33-24 on a rainy afternoon at Reynolds Razorback Stadium in an overall solid performance by an Arkansas defense that has caught no shortage of flack.
Walker’s huge play gave the Hogs an 11-point lead, but Auburn seized momentum in the game off of a pick six of its own by Rayshawn Pleasant with 9:15 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Tigers (4-4, 1-4 SEC) finally got over the hump in league play while the Razorbacks (2-6, 0-4 SEC) dropped their sixth straight game.
Walker nabbed a second down pass attempt by Auburn quarterback Jackson Arnold – his former teammate at Oklahoma – late in the second quarter and went the distance for the touchdown to give the Hogs a 21-10 advantage that they took into halftime.
It was the first turnover recorded by the Hogs since the Sept. 20th loss at Memphis when Julian Neal and Miguel Mitchell each nabbed an interception and also Arkansas’ first defensive touchdown since Nov. 4 2023 against Florida.
Arkansas put up 21 points in the second quarter after being shutout for the first time all season in the first frame, but were outscored by Auburn 23-3 in the second half.
Auburn kicker Alex McPherson was huge, converting all six of his field goal attempts with a long of 47 yards after a disappointing 1 of 4 performance in the Tigers’ double overtime loss to Missouri last week.
Another disappointing finish
Auburn got out to a 10-0 lead before Taylen Green connected with Raylen Sharpe, who sprinted 58 yards for a score to cut Auburn’s lead to 10-7 with just over eight minutes remaining in the first half.
It came at the perfect time as Auburn was hoping to take some momentum back from Arkansas after the Hogs scored on consecutive drives.
Arkansas forced a three and out on the ensuing drive in one of the better defensive drives of the season and then Braylen Russell capped a three-play drive with a two-yard score after the Hogs started on the Auburn 48.
Ashton Daniels took over for the Tigers on Auburn’s final 48 seconds of the first half and remained in the game in favor of Arnold for the rest of the day. Daniels finished six of eight through the air for 77 yards and also added 35 yards on the ground.
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