Arkansas Sports 360 - ArkansasSports360.com

10/9/2011 at 9:29am

No. 10 Arkansas 38, No. 15 Auburn 14

Why Arkansas Won
Arkansas (5-1, 1-1) did just enough on offense and turned in a strong defensive performance over the final three quarters to notch a fairly easy victory against the Tigers. Auburn (4-2, 2-1) put 14 points on the board early, but was shut out over the final three quarters. Arkansas forced three turnovers on defense. The Razorbacks broke the game open with a 92-yard run by Joe Adams to start the second half and were never threatened from there. Auburn managed an anemic 104 yards passing. 

Turning Point
Offensive coordinator Garrick McGee suggested working Joe Adams into the game at tailback at halftime. He felt that might allow the Razorbacks to pop a big play. It worked. Adams took an expertly blocked sweep play to the left 92 yards for a touchdown. Adams’ score made it 28-14 and widened the gap too much for Auburn to challenge. 

Game-breaker
Stopping the run was Arkansas’ No. 1 priority on defense. Outside of a breakdown on a 55-yard touchdown, the Razorbacks were effective in slowing the Tigers down on the ground. Auburn had 291 yards total, but only 150 after the first quarter. Linebackers Jerry Franklin and Alonzo Highsmith were big reasons for that. Franklin finished with a team-high 15 tackles. Highsmith notched 12, including two for losses. 

In A Rhythm
Tyler Wilson got off to a rough start. He completed just one of his first five passes and seemed out of sorts for a stretch.

Then he looked like he was running a 7-on-7 clinic, completing 19 consecutive passes at one point. Wilson finished 24 of 36 for 262 yards with two touchdowns.

Wilson’s completions streak is the third-best in SEC history. It included 18 straight in the second quarter as he ended the first half with 228 passing yards.

Not only did Wilson have a big night passing, he provided a rushing touchdown. His one-yard sneak with 9:36 remaining tied the game at 14.

Just Enough
Total, Arkansas' 176 yards rushing looks nice. Take out Adams' 92-yard run and the 84 yards rushing is not overwhelming. But it was enough.

Make no mistake, Arkansas still has work to do on the ground. But Broderick Green (47 yards, 16 carries) and Dennis Johnson (42 yards on 12 carries) kept the Auburn defense honest. Johnson had a crucial 13 yards on four carries during a second-quarter drive that resulted in a 5-yard Tyler Wilson touchdown pass to Jarius Wright.

Wilson completed passes of 11, 22 and 7 yards on the drive. It was the running that kept Auburn guessing and allowed the passing game room to operate.

Homecoming
A pair of Arkansas natives, quarterback Kiehl Frazier and running back Michael Dyer, made themselves right at home in the first quarter of Saturday’s game. Dyer gave the Tigers an early lead with a 55-yard run. Frazier pushed the Tigers up 14-7 with a 7-yard run just before the first quarter ended.

Those were the only points Auburn would score. Neither finished as strong as he started.

Frazier’s night ended with 54 rushing yards on 13 carries and he was 2 of 4 passing for 18 yards with a couple of interceptions. Dyer had 112 yards on 21 carries. Take away his 55-yard run and Dyer averaged 2.85 yards per carry.

Personnel Update
Defensive end Jake Bequette returned for Arkansas. He had missed three games and most of a fourth with hamstring issues.

Cornerback Darius Winston (bruised knee), defensive tackle Robert Thomas (leg), cornerback Isaac Madison (arm) and tailback Ronnie Wingo (toe) dressed but did not play.

Speaking Out
“It was a really big game for us. Our players did a really nice job the entire week. It was our best week of practice as far as our effort and focus and concentration. It didn't just happen. Our assistant coaches and players made it happen.”
— Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino

Up Next
Arkansas (5-1, 1-1 SEC) has an open week. The Razorbacks face Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss., on Oct. 22.

Tagged: Jarius Wright, Alonzo Highsmith, Jerry Franklin, Jake Bequette, Kiehl Frazier, Michael Dyer, Arkansas Razorbacks, Auburn Tigers, Tyler Wilson, Bobby Petrino, Garrick McGee, Joe Adams, Dennis Johnson, Broderick Green, Southeastern Conference