Many happy returns: Auburn football notebook

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Cat Wofford/Auburn Athletics

AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn's most explosive plays against Arkansas came via returns, netting 288 yards on kickoff, punt, fumble and interceptions returns.

Only once before, against Arkansas in 2010 (303 yards), have the Tigers generated more return yardage.

Ryan Davis set the tone early with an electrifying spin move on a 48-yard punt return that set up Auburn's first touchdown.

"I didn't plan on doing it. It was like a reaction, but it worked out well, so I'm happy it worked," said Davis, whose 21.6 average per punt return in conference games leads the SEC. "The guys out there blocked for me well, it was well-executed so I was just happy. I like where our special teams is at right now."





STIDHAM TO DAVIS

With six completions against Arkansas, Jarrett Stidham and Ryan Davis have now teamed up for 104 career completions, No. 2 all-time, trailing only Auburn's iconic dynamic duo, Pat Sullivan and Terry Beasley.

"Ryan's a great player," Stidham said. "I love throwing to him. He's a great football player, and I can't speak highly enough about him because he's just a great person. I love getting him the ball and letting him do his thing. It's fun to watch."

From 1969-71, Sullivan and Beasley teamed up 140 times. Against the Razorbacks, Stidham and Davis passed Dameyune Craig and Karsten Bailey, who had 97 completions from 1995-97.

"That's great, me and Jarrett only being with each two years," said Davis, who set Auburn's single-season reception record with 84 in 2017. "That's definitely a big step and our names are always going to be in the Auburn book. I couldn't do it without him, and the guys around me to help us do that. I'm just proud of that accomplishment."

In their 18 games together, Stidham and Davis have averaged 5.77 completions per game. At that pace, they would become Auburn's all-time leading combo against Liberty in the Tigers' final home game on Nov. 17.




 
NEWS FLASH

Auburn's longest offensive play gained 42 yards in the second quarter when Jarrett Stidham threw to Anthony Schwartz, who raced down the left sideline.

"My legs, they weren't agreeing with me on that play," said Schwartz, whose nickname is Flash. "I wasn't able to lift my knees, but I made sure I got down the field. I made sure I held onto the ball, which is the most important thing."

Taking advantage of Schwartz's world-class speed, Auburn uses the freshman receiver in the running game on sweeps. Against Arkansas, he rushed twice for nine yards.

"I feel like I bring speed and I can stretch the field," he said. "I can open up the field, I can help the run game get better. I can help the underneath game get better

"I feel like I'm fitting in great. I knew my role coming in. I just wanted to do whatever the team needs me to do, so whatever they need me to do, I'm going to do it."
 
PUNTING THUNDER FROM DOWN UNDER

Punter Arryn Siposs continues to make a rapid adjustment to American football after playing five seasons in the Australian Football League.

"I've enjoyed every moment so far, which has been great," said Siposs, from Melbourne, Australia. "I've just got to make sure I continue doing that throughout the season. I'm really enjoying my time."

Siposs' 45.3 yard average ranks No. 5 in the SEC. Against the Razorbacks, only one of his five punts was returned.

"That's one of the key things we wanted to focus on this year, and make sure that we had minimal returns," he said. "I feel like I'm doing a pretty good job of that at the moment and I need to keep that up. It's been good so far."




 
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer