While the second half of Arkansas’ 24-14 win wasn’t a work of art, it was full of a lot more explosive plays than the sluggish – and often downright ugly – first half.
Just look at what happened in the final two minutes alone, as the Tigers lost a fumble in the end zone and threw two interceptions to help the Razorbacks preserve a 7-0 halftime lead at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Also mixed in there was a three-and-out and interception by Arkansas — and again, that was only after the two-minute warning. Auburn also threw an interception earlier in the game, ending what looked like a promising drive after the Razorbacks missed a 41-yard field goal.
However, as bad as the product on the field was, ESPN didn’t have a banner first half, either.
Yes, it did make the right call in opting to not replay a gruesome injury suffered by Auburn defensive back Champ Anthony. “Champ Anthony took a bad cut and snapped his shin Gordon Hayward style,” one fan Tweeted. “Saw it on the edge of my screen on YouTube TV.”
It’s unclear how in the world he would have smiling afterward as he was carted away if indeed the injury was that bad, but more details should come later.
While ESPN called a good audible on that one, it screwed up in a couple other areas. Early in the game, the broadcast tried to make a point about offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino already making an impact on quarterback Taylen Green’s throwing mechanics. They started by showing a clip of him throwing a pass at Boise State last year and then comparing it to a clip from this year.
The problem? The clip from this year wasn’t of Green. It was very clearly backup quarterback Malachi Singleton throwing a pass in the opener against UAPB.
Then, late in the half, ESPN play-by-play man Mark Jones gave the Razorbacks’ defense some love for its play, but credited defensive coordinator Travis “Willis” – instead of Williams, which is actually his name. Jones likely knows his name now, however, considering Pittman gave the game ball to the former Auburn defensive coordinator after the game.
“I think it meant a lot to him, playing here, Pittman said. “I know he’s got a love for Auburn but I know that win was big for him. It had to be. The game plan, I went back and forth in there several times this week and went ‘Hey now, we’re going to make that quarterback beat us, we’re going to make that quarterback beat us, we’re going to make that quarterback beat us.’ It wasn’t exactly how I thought he was going to make the quarterback beat us. I thought they did a wonderful job.”
Looping back to piling onto ESPN, it’s worth noting the two commentators also seemed to agree there was “indisputable evidence” that the ball hit the ground on TJ Metcalf’s interception at the end of the first half and that it should be overturned. However, the play stood as called, giving the Razorbacks their third interception.
Not a real mistake in that case, but something with which plenty of Arkansas football fans and the officials themselves disagreed.
Pittman on Taylen Green
Malachi Singleton spelled Green for a series in the third quarter. We didn’t bench [Green],” Pittman said. “He had cramps. He was cramping up and then him getting some fluids in him and coming back, it shows a lot about what we know about the kid from summer workouts and all that.”
On What an Arkansas vs Auburn Win Means
“It gives you a shot in the arm,” Pittman said. “It makes you feel good. It makes practicing a little bit easier. But just because I believe that we’ve got a really good team and can win on the road, you have to go do it. I don’t want to put last year or the 9-4 season, I don’t want to put any of them together. I just want to play this season.”
He added it “lets our recruits know we can go on the road and win in the SEC. We’re 1-0 and we’re tied for the top and that’s a big deal.”
More on Arkansas vs Auburn:
For the our post-game column, go here:
Arkansas vs Auburn Updates
Pregame Tidbits
Almost the entire College GameDay crew picked Arkansas to beat Auburn, with the lone exception being Kirk Herbstreit.
As a reminder, the Razorbacks are without top cornerback Jaylon Braxton (tendinitis) and veteran safety Hudson Clark (back) for a second straight game. Auburn, meanwhile, could get five-star freshman wide receiver Cam Coleman back. He’s expected to at least suit up and try to play after missing the Tigers’ last game with a shoulder injury.
END of 1Q – Arkansas 0, Auburn 0
14:47, 2Q – Arkansas 7, Auburn 0
It looked like the Hogs were going to go three-and-out after Doneiko Slaughter’s interception, but a roughing the passer penalty kept the drive alive. Arkansas made Auburn pay by marching down the field and scoring, with Jackson punching it in from 1 yard out on the first play of the second quarter.
HALF – Arkansas 7, Auburn 0
5:44, 3Q – Arkansas 7, Auburn 7
After a three-and-out with Malachi Singleton at quarterback, Auburn answered with a 77-yard drive. The big play was a 54-yard completion from Payton Thorne to KeAndre Lambert-Smith against a busted coverage, which set up a 10-yard score between those two.
2:03, 3Q – Arkansas 14, Auburn 7
Facing a third-and-19, Green evaded some pressure and chunked the ball about 60 yards down field. Isaiah Sategna went up and caught it over the defender for the touchdown. It goes down as a 58-yard score.
END of 3Q – Arkansas 14, Auburn 7
12:04, 4Q – Arkansas 17, Auburn 7
The Razorbacks converted a fourth-and-1 with a Braylen Russell run, but the drive stalled out at the 25. Kyle Ramsey booted a 43-yard field goal to put Arkansas up by two scores.
9:50, 4Q – Arkansas 17, Auburn 14
It looked like Arkansas had forced a three-and-out, but Auburn went for it on fourth-and-2 at its own 33. Not only did the Tigers convert, but they scored with a 67-yard touchdown from Thorne to Lambert-Smith.
3:38, 4Q – Arkansas 24, Auburn 14
He didn’t get in by much, but Jackson scored his second 1-yard touchdown of the game to cap a 12-play, 75-yard drive by the Razorbacks. Really nice response by the Hogs.
FINAL – Arkansas 24, Auburn 14
How to Watch Arkansas vs Auburn
Date: Saturday, Sept. 21
Location: Jordan-Hare Stadium (Auburn, Ala.)
Kickoff time (TV): 2:30 p.m. CT (ESPN)
Commentators: Mark Jones (play-by-play), Roddy Jones (analyst), Quint Kessenich (sideline reporter)
ESPN FPI: Auburn has a 58.4% chance to win.
Odds/Betting Line: Auburn, -2.5 | O/U 54.5 (BetSaracen)
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