Arkansas (5-1, 1-1 SEC) handed Auburn (4-2, 2-1 SEC) its first lost in the SEC Saturday night with a 38-14 victory.
The Razorbacks were led by the arm of junior quarterback Tyler Wilson, who completed 24 of 36 passes for 262 yards. Wilson also completed 19 passes in a row, four shy of the FBS record held by Tee Martin and Aaron Rodgers.
"We did all the things tonight, all the classic things, that lead to losing," said coach Gene Chizik.
Despite playing without its two of its three starting receivers, Auburn put the first points on the board following a 34-yard Arkansas field goal that hit the left upright.
With 9:56 left in the first quarter, sophomore running back Michael Dyer took a handoff outside to the right side. After avoiding a few tackles, Dyer beat defenders in a foot race for a 55-yard score.
The Razorbacks wasted no time tying the game, scoring on its next possession, which spanned 71 yards in eight plays. Senior running back Broderick Green highlighted the drive by running the ball in from 6 yards out.
"Any time you play in the SEC you can't give up those plays we gave up on the long run," said defensive line coach Mike Pelton. "Those are just backbreakers to your defense. I'm not making excuses for them."
Freshman quarterback Keihl Frazier took a majority of Auburn's snaps on its next possession from the 47-yard line, leading to Frazier's first collegiate score with a 7-yard touchdown run and a 14-7 Auburn lead with two seconds remaining in the first quarter.
That would conclude Auburn's scoring on the night, as Arkansas scored 24 unanswered points against the defending national champions.
"We turned the ball over on the road, dropped balls, guys who were wide open and we can't hit them, the ball going through guys' hands," Chizik said.
Arkansas tied the game with 9:36 left in the half after putting together a drive of first down after first down that went 80 yards in 13 plays. On fourth down from the one-yard line, Wilson executed a textbook quarterback sneak for six.
It took nine plays to march 65 yards down the field for Arkansas to take its first lead of the game on the following drive. It ended with Wilson's first of two touchdown passes on the night, a 7-yarder caught by senior wide receiver Jarius Wright.
The Razorbacks didn't let up in the second half as senior wide receiver Joe Adams took a handoff 92 yards to the house. It was the longest run by a wide receiver and second-longest run in Arkansas history.
Junior quarterback Barrett Trotter threw an interception late in the third quarter that would lead to an Arkansas field goal early in the fourth, extending the lead to 31-14.
Frazier would throw two interceptions of his own in the fourth quarter, one of which led to a 16-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to junior running back Dennis Johnson.
Neither of Auburn's primary quarterbacks developed momentum in the game. Trotter completed 6 of 19 passes for 81 yards and an interception. Frazier was 2 of 4 with 18 yards and two interceptions through the air, but he gained 54 yards and a touchdown on 13 carry attempts.
Dyer added 112 yards on 21 carries and a score, while junior Onterio McCalebb had 91 yards on 13 attempts.
"We are going to move forward and learn from our mistakes and not let this game beat us twice," Chizik said. "I saw some positive things when guys stepped up when our backs were against the wall. We kept fighting the whole game. We are gaining confidence."
The Tigers face Florida next Saturday at home at 6 p.m. The Gators suffered a 41-11 loss at LSU this week without starting quarterback John Brantley.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
