On Saturday, Auburn and Arkansas will face off in Jordan-Hare Stadium as both teams open up SEC play. Throughout their history the two teams have combined for three national titles and 25 conference titles all together They have been conference opponents for more than 30 years with the series lead belonging to Auburn at 20-12-1. Below a few of the most memorable matchups are highlighted prior to the 34th meeting between the Tigers and Razorbacks.
2023: Auburn 48-10
In the Tiger’s most recent meeting with the Razorbacks, they were able to swiftly handle them with a 48-10 dismantling of the Razorbacks behind Payton Thorne’s four touchdown performance including one rushing. This would be Hugh Freeze’s first game against Arkansas while being the head coach at Auburn as well as be the sixth win making the Tigers bowl eligible for the first time in the Freeze era.
2020: Auburn 30-28
This would be Gus Malzahn’s final matchup against the Razorbacks before being fired later in the season. The game would look to be a blowout as Auburn got its lead up to 17-0 mid-way through the second quarter, but Arkansas didn’t back down and instead clawed its way back to a 28-27 lead late in the fourth. QB Bo Nix would lead a drive to get Auburn into field goal range with seven seconds left. Since they had no timeouts, Nix would attempt to spike the ball but fumbled the snap which he then picked up and spiked behind him. This caused much controversy as the rules would point to this being a backwards pass and a fumble, but the officials called it an incomplete pass allowing kicker Anders Carlson to hit the game winning 39-yard field goal giving the Tigers a 30-28 win.
2015: Arkansas 54-46 (5OT)
The Razorbacks would lead this game by two touchdowns early scoring on their first two drives but that was far from the end of it. The Tigers would claw their way back into the game getting to a 24-24 tie after a 41-yard Daniel Carlson field goal with four seconds to force overtime. In the first and second overtimes the teams traded touchdowns, and in the third each traded a touchdown and a 2-point conversion. When the fourth overtime arrived, Arkansas would score immediately and get a touchdown followed by another 2-point conversion. Arkansas defense stood strong and got a four-and-out to close out the 54-46 four-overtime thriller.
2010: Auburn 65-43
Led by future Heisman winning quarterback Cam Newton, Auburn won a shootout at home resulting in a 65-43 victory making it the highest scoring game in series history. The Tigers came into the game ranked at number seven against the 12th ranked Razorbacks. Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallet was knocked out due to injury in the first half. With Auburn trailing by six early in the fourth quarter they would score 28 unanswered points in barely over five minutes to seal the game. This game would springboard the Tigers to continue their run which would result in an undefeated season and a national title.
2007: Auburn 9-7
Auburn would take down the Razorbacks in Razorback Stadium with a 9-7 victory — the only face off in series history where neither team eclipsed double digits. Unlike the previous season, the Tigers were able to contain Heisman finalist running back Darren McFadden to only 43 rushing yards. The Tigers looked to be in trouble late as Arkansas took a 7-6 lead with just 1:36 remaining. With the help of a good return and a 30-yard pass to put them at the Razorback 12 yard line, Auburn Kicker Wes Byrum hit the game winner with 21 seconds remaining to survive and win.
2006: Arkansas 27-10
An unranked Arkansas squad visited Jordan-Hare to face off against an undefeated, No. 2 Auburn. The Razorbacks would dominate the line of scrimmage defensively as they allowed only 60 yards on 31 attempts. Star running back Darren McFadden paired with RB Felix Jones would combine for 41 carries and 249 yards. The offensive coordinator behind much of Arkansas' success that Saturday was future Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn.
2003: Auburn 10-3
This game would be the lowest scoring matchup in series history as an unranked Auburn squad led by Tommy Tubberville would march into Fayetteville and take a 10-3 victory over No. 7 Arkansas led by Houston Nutt. Arkansas had been untroubled on the ground throughout its first four games with running back Cedric Cobbs averaging 140 over the first four games. The Tigers would flip the script as they held the Razorbacks to only 3 points the entire game as their own running back Carnell Williams would rush for 150 yards and the game’s only touchdown.
1993: Auburn 31-21
These two teams would meet for the first time in series history in Fayetteville as it was Razorback Stadium’s turn to host with winds of 15-20 mph and a windshield temperature of 10 degrees . The Tigers would go back and forth trading scores with the Razorbacks until they gained an edge early in the second half on a pick six which would help them coast to a 31-21 victory. This game would springboard Auburn to winning their final two games of that season making them 11-0 and the only undefeated team in major college football that year.
1992: Tie 24-24
In Pat Dye’s final season as Auburn’s head coach, the Tigers would face the Razorbacks for their second matchup ever but their first of many matchups as SEC foes. This game would be unique to the series as it would be the only tie ever ending at 24 a piece. The game was odd as it contained seven total field goals to only three touchdowns. Auburn would also have 438 yards to Arkansas measly 214 yards but somehow the Razorbacks were able to get the tie with the help of a 85-yard pick six.
1984: Auburn 21-15
Auburn and Arkansas would face off for the first time as non-conference opponents in the Liberty Bowl. Auburn came into this matchup under historic head coach Pat Dye who was in his fourth season as a head coach and searching for his third straight bowl win. During this game, Auburn would enjoy as 21-15 victory over the Razorbacks as well as preview to the following Heisman winning season from running back Bo Jackson who was the MVP of the game with over 100 total yards and two touchdowns.
The Razorbacks and Tigers have long history of impressive moments and games throughout the last 40 years. From come backs to game winners this series has seen it all. Auburn will take on Arkansas for yet another meeting in Jordan-Hare Stadium this Saturday, Sept. 21 at 2:30 p.m. CST for what could shape up to be yet another memorable matchup.
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Reid is a freshman, exploratory major. He joined the Plainsman in the fall of 2024.
You can follow him on X (Twitter) at @ReidFarris2
