AU-ARK: Nix has big day as Tigers skin Hogs

Auburn defeated Arkansas in a key SEC battle on Saturday. (AU Media Relations)

By TIM GAYLE

Auburn took the best shot from Arkansas early in the third quarter, then outscored the Razorbacks 24-6 for the remainder of the game at Reynolds Razorback Stadium to win their sixth straight matchup in the series and spoil homecoming for the Hogs.

Auburn’s 38-23 win featured some opportune plays on both sides of the ball as the Tigers were outgained in yardage for much of the game but still had the upper hand where it counted most -- on the scoreboard.

“I’m really proud of our coaches, I’m proud of our players,” Auburn coach Bryan Harsin said. “They had a good plan and worked really hard leading into this game and then we had some guys really step up and make plays, which we needed in order to win.”

The Razorbacks, who have dropped their last three games after starting out 4-0, got a pair of Treylon Burks’ touchdown receptions on either side of halftime to rally Arkansas to a 17-14 lead.

Nursing that lead a few minutes later, with the ball near their goal line, Arkansas quarterback K.J. Jefferson was stripped of the ball by Auburn’s Derick Hall in the end zone and teammate Marcus Harris recovered for the touchdown that gave the Tigers a lead they would never relinquish. 

“You score on defense, you have a really good shot of winning the game,” Harsin said. “I’m excited for our team to come in here and play against a really good Arkansas team and to win. That was a fun game. That was a good football game that we got a chance to be a part of.”

On Auburn’s next possession, Bo Nix hit a streaking Demetris Robertson with a 71-yard touchdown pass to put the visitors in control. 

Nix completed 21 of 26 passes for 292 yards and a pair of touchdowns. 

 In addition to the fumble in the end zone, Arkansas turned the ball over on downs twice on fourth-down plays, once in the second quarter at the Auburn 18 and again in the third quarter at the Auburn 29.

“A lot of credit to Auburn,” Arkansas coach Sam Pittman said. “Coach had their team ready. They have a fine football team. They outphysicaled us on both sides of the ball. They outplayed us. He outcoached me. He had his team ready and obviously I didn’t have ours.”

Arkansas rolled up 460 yards but couldn’t find the points when it needed them, then couldn’t stop a six-minute drive in the fourth quarter that was capped by Nix’s 23-yard touchdown run with 2:30 left. Pittman said his team isn’t doing the things that led to winning football in September, but didn’t want to detract from Auburn’s victory.

“Listen, we didn’t get beat by a bad football team, I’m not saying that at all,” Pittman said. “They’re a good football team but we’ve got to figure out how we can get better. And we will.”

Arkansas will play Arkansas-Pine Bluff in Little Rock next week, while the Tigers get a week off before hosting Ole Miss on Oct. 30.