Auburn gets its first and much-needed SEC win of the season with a 33-24 victory over Arkansas on the road. The game was filled with many questions and confusion, especially right before halftime, as Auburn starting quarterback Jackson Arnold was benched in favor of backup Ashton Daniels.
The Tigers, after starting 0-4 in conference play for the third straight year, get a vital win on the road against the Razorbacks, led by interim head coach Bobby Petrino. Despite all of the successes and failures throughout the game and the individual plays within it, the obvious story of the game was Auburn and their head coach, Hugh Freeze's struggles against conference opponents and disappointing outcomes in close games. Auburn not only got the conference victory but did it in clutch fashion, with the game being within one score up until the final minute.
The scoring for Auburn was not led by any particular offensive skill player or quarterback but instead was headlined by kicker Alex McPherson, who went an astounding 6-for-6 in field goal attempts, totaling 19 points when including his one point after attempt.
“He’s the first one in my office Monday to say, ‘I’m sorry, Coach — I lost that game for you,’” coach Freeze said about the accountability and leadership of the veteran kicker. "What a redemption story that is."
Another major aspect of the game was the benching of Arnold for Daniels, which had been teased as a possibility all week, but following a pick-six by Arnold late in the second quarter, Freeze finally decided to make the move. Daniels went 6-for-8, throwing for 77 yards and rushing for 35, while Arnold went 7-for-12 with both a touchdown and an interception, along with nine rushing yards.
A main winning factor was also found in the stout Auburn defense, which forced four total turnovers while Rayshawn Pleasant had two interceptions, including a pick-six.
The Tigers will take on the Kentucky Wildcats next Saturday at home, looking to win their second straight conference game and continue to get back on track with the help of the night crowd in Jordan-Hare Stadium.
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Reid is a sophomore majoring in accounting. He joined the Plainsman in the fall of 2024.
You can follow him on X (Twitter) at @ReidFarris2
