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A spirit that is not afraid

Auburn offense struggles in otherwise dominant victory over Arkansas

"As long as we’re winning, obviously we’re going to have a lot of things to correct and fix, but as long as we win, that’s all that matters.”

<p>Jarrett Stidham (8) and JaTarvious Whitlow (28) during Auburn football vs. Arkansas on Sept. 22, 2018, in Auburn, Ala.</p>

Jarrett Stidham (8) and JaTarvious Whitlow (28) during Auburn football vs. Arkansas on Sept. 22, 2018, in Auburn, Ala.

Jarrett Stidham wasn't exactly running for his life last week in a 22-21 loss to LSU. The Bayou Bengals' defensive line pulled Stidham down for one sack and recorded five quarterback hurries. 

Still, the Auburn offense was hard-pressed to find much success late. So Gus Malzahn focused on pass protection and opted for an offensive line change, swapping incumbent starting center Kaleb Kim with freshman Nick Brahms.

The alterations didn't pan out according to Malzahn's vision.

No. 9 Auburn's (3-1, 1-1 SEC) offense didn't eclipse 200 yards until the fourth quarter, but opportunistic plays from the defense and special teams made for short fields in the Tigers' 34-3 win over Arkansas (1-3, 0-1 SEC) on Saturday night in Jordan-Hare Stadium.

The win is Auburn's third straight over the Razorbacks after a 54-46 quadruple overtime loss in 2015. In the past three meetings, Auburn has outscored Arkansas 142-36. But the third win in that span felt worse for the Tigers than the score indicated.

“It is what it is," Stidham said postgame. "We’ve got to play a lot better, but we found a way to win and that’s all I care about. As long as we’re winning, obviously we’re going to have a lot of things to correct and fix, but as long as we win, that’s all that matters.” 

Stidham was sacked four times and was flushed out of the pocket on seemingly every other play. He was able to create outside the hashes, finishing 15 for 22 passing for 134 yards and a rushing score.

As is the trend when the Tigers are down offensively, Stidham didn't have the quickest trigger and seemed uncomfortable in the pocket. He says otherwise.

Jarrett Stidham (8) runs the ball during Auburn Football vs. Arkansas on Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018 in Auburn, Ala.

“No, I felt good in the pocket," Stidham said. "I think that this year that’s been one of the things I really wanted to focus on, is being better in the pocket. I’ve done a good job of that so far, I just have to make better throws.” 

Auburn’s offensive line, which implemented its fifth new starter of the year in Brahms, was beaten at the line of scrimmage in run protection, as well. Auburn rushed for under 100 yards (91) for the first time this season.

“Just got to watch film tomorrow and see how it plays out, see what (Malzahn says),” Brahms said.

Auburn’s leading rusher, redshirt freshman running back JaTarvious Whitlow, officially became the starting tailback when his name was called with the starting 11 on the Jumbotron. After back-to-back 100-yard performances against Alabama State and LSU, Whitlow tallied 49 yards on 13 carries.

Previous starter Kam Martin didn’t hold up much better, rushing for 39 yards on eight carries. True freshman Shaun Shivers received two touches for a yard.

Even Stidham’s rushing score to put Auburn up 17-0 came on a broken play. The quarterback eluded pressure to the short side of the field. Because he was 4 yards away from the goal-line, he scored instead of being dragged down by an Arkansas linebacker.

Brahms revealed he was was named the starter Sunday and received first-team reps all week over Kim. However, Auburn’s blocking issues can’t be solely attributed to plugging in a new starter who hadn’t played since his junior year of high school.

“It was amazing,” Brahms said of starting. “I missed football a lot, having that injury senior year and recovering. Playing with those guys and playing at Auburn, a place that’s so special, it means a lot to me.”

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Nathan King | Sports Editor

Nathan King, senior in journalism with a minor in business, is The Plainsman's sports editor.


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