Auburn thumps Razorbacks 51-10

Special NWA Democrat-Gazzette /David Beach during a football game, Saturday, September 14, 2019 at Donald W. Reynolds Stadium in Fayetteville, AR.
Special NWA Democrat-Gazzette /David Beach during a football game, Saturday, September 14, 2019 at Donald W. Reynolds Stadium in Fayetteville, AR.

The University of Arkansas put up little resistance in dropping its 15th consecutive SEC game, falling to Auburn 51-10 on Saturday afternoon at Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

Down 17-0 to open the second half, the Razorbacks (2-5, 0-4 SEC) showed spunk out of the locker room. Auburn (6-1, 3-1) gained 9 yards on its first possession before punting, and the Hogs took over at their own 13.

The Razorbacks embarked on a 15-play, 77-yard drive that resulted in Connor Limpert's 28-yard FG to cut their deficit to 17-3 with 5:53 left in the third quarter. Freshman WR Treylon Burks had a big series, including a juggling catch on a ball thrown behind him for 13 yards on third and 9. Burks also ran the ball twice out of the Wildcat formation.

After failing to score on their previous three possessions, Auburn responded. Auburn gained 18 yards on three runs before QB Bo Nix found Seth Williams wide open for a 48-yard TD reception and a 24-3 advantage with 4:19 left in the third quarter. Kicker Anders Carlson's extra point was Auburn's 304th consecutive make without a miss, breaking the FBS record previously held by Florida State.

On Arkansas' next play for scrimmage, Hicks was intercepted on a deep pass that overshot all of his receivers by Auburn's Javaris Davis. After a 28-yard run by Anthony Schwartz on an end around, Nix hooked up with him for a 28-yard TD pass to put the Tigers up 31-3 just 22 seconds after their previous TD.

Arkansas scored its first touchdown 14 seconds before the end of the third quarter. Hogs' LB De'Jon Harris forced Nix to fumble, and DT McTelvin Agim recovered at the Auburn 45. On the Hogs' first play from scrimmage, Hicks found TE Cheyenne O'Grady, who ran inside the 10 before the ball popped out his hands. He corralled it again as he entered the end zone, cutting the deficit to 31-10.

The Tigers were not deterred, covering 64 yards on eight plays. Nix found Williams for a 15-yard TD connection with 11:54 left in the game, but Carlson missed the extra point to stop the nation's longest streak of made PATs. The Tigers remained ahead 37-10.

Auburn scored again when backup QB Joey Gatewood found Jay Jay Wilson for a 17-yard TD, the Tigers' fourth TD pass of the second half after holding Auburn to 45 first-half passing yards. The Tigers capped the scoring with a a 32-yard TD run by Harold Joiner.

The Tigers outgained the Razorbacks for the game 491-234 in total yards. Hicks finished 19 of 39 for 182 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. Boyd had 39 yards on 13 runs. O'Grady finished with 7 catches for 72 yards and 1 TD.

The Razorbacks were down 14-0 less than five minutes into the game. On the Hogs' first possession, Hicks was stripped of the ball on third down, and the Tigers recovered on the UA 22. Three plays later, Nix ran a TD in from 4 yards out.

After the Razorbacks went three and out, Auburn used three plays to go 63 yards. Kam Martin's 52-yard run on the first play from scrimmage set up Shaun Shivers' 6-yard TD run for a 14-0 edge with 10:48 left in the first quarter.

The Razorbacks would gain just 5 combined yards on their next two possessions, but the defense held Auburn on downs once, then held the Tigers to a 44-yard Carlson field goal.

Hicks' 17-yard screen pass to Rakeem Boyd was good for UA's initial first down of the game on its fifth drive, but the Tigers held. On fourth and 11 from the UA 41, the Hogs attempted a fake punt, but punter Sam Loy's pass was intercepted at the UA 36. The Razorbacks were able to hold.

The Hogs had a chance to get on the board before halftime after recording two first downs, but with three seconds left before intermission, Limpert missed a 44-yard FG.

Auburn outgained Arkansas 170-93 in the first half. Hicks was 12-of-20 passing for 82 yards for UA, and Boyd was held to 12 yards on 6 carries.

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