AUBURN, Ala. – KeAndre Lambert-Smith made two second-half touchdown receptions but five turnovers cost Auburn in a 24-14 loss to Arkansas Saturday at sold-out Jordan-Hare Stadium in the Tigers’ SEC opener.
“We can’t turn the football over and we can’t continue to give up third-and-longs,” Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze said. “It really comes down to those two things in this game. You can’t combine the turnovers we’re having with the conversions they’re getting on third-and-long and expect to win a football game.
“We’re being tested right now and how we respond will determine what kind of individuals we’re going to be in life and for this team this year.”
The Razorbacks turned the Tiger miscues into 10 points while Auburn was unable to capitalize on two takeaways.
Trailing 7-0 after a first half that saw Auburn commit four turnovers and run 25 plays to Arkansas’ 43, Payton Thorne took over at quarterback.
After Auburn’s fake punt run failed to pick up a first down, the Tigers’ defense delivered its second takeaway courtesy of Kayin Lee’s interception.
After the teams traded three-and-out, Auburn drove 77 yards on six plays for a game-tying touchdown drive.
Jarquez Hunter picked up 6 yards on third-and-3, then Thorne hit Lambert-Smith for 54 yards to the Arkansas 10-yard line, Auburn’s biggest gain of the game.
Thorne and Lambert-Smith teamed up again one play later for a 10-yard touchdown that tied the score at 7-7 with 5:44 remaining in the third quarter.
Arkansas (3-1, 1-0) answered with a 75-yard touchdown drive, taking a 14-7 lead on Taylen Green’s 58-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Sategna on third-and-19.
Auburn’s fifth turnover, an interception on a tipped pass, led to a 43-yard field goal that gave Arkansas a 17-7 lead with 12:04 to play in the game.
On fourth-and-2 from Auburn’s 33, Thorne hit Lambert-Smith on a slant that he took 67 yards to the end zone for a touchdown that trimmed the Razorbacks’ lead to 17-14 at the 9:50 mark. Lambert-Smith caught five passes for 156 yards and two TDs.
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— Auburn Football (@AuburnFootball) September 21, 2024
Needing a stop for a chance for a go-ahead score, Auburn forced a quick third-and-10, but a defensive pass interference penalty gave Arkansas a first down.
The Razorbacks drove 75 yards on 12 plays and took a 10-point lead on a 1-yard touchdown with 3:38 to play.
After a scoreless first quarter, Arkansas scored on the first play of the second quarter on a 1-yard touchdown run by Ja’Quinden Jackson that capped a 15-play, 81-yard drive.
Late in the second quarter, Jalen McLeod sacked Razorbacks quarterback Taylen Green at midfield on fourth-and-1 to give Auburn excellent field position.
On third-and-5, Hank Brown hit Rivaldo Fairweather for a first down at the Arkansas 36. On the next play, Damari Alston raced to his left and sprinted inside the 10-yard line but a Razorback defender forced a fumble and Arkansas recovered in the end zone for a touchback.
Auburn forced a three-and-out and regained possession with 57 second remaining in the half, but an interception gave the Razorbacks the ball at Auburn’s 23.
McLeod delivered another key play, tipping a pass that Sylvester Smith intercepted and returned 33 yards to Auburn’s 48 with 35 seconds left in the half.
Brown and Fairweather connected for 25 yards to the Razorbacks’ 27, but the redshirt freshman threw his third interception of the half on the next play.
“You can’t do that and play winning football,” Freeze said of the four first-half turnovers.
Dorian Mausi and Jerrin Thompson led Auburn with eight tackles apiece, including a sack for each. McLeod added seven tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack.
“I thought the defense played well other than third-and-longs,” Freeze said.
The Tigers (2-2, 0-1) conclude their season-opening five-game homestand next Saturday when new SEC member Oklahoma visits Jordan-Hare Stadium at either 2:30 p.m. or 3:15 p.m. CT.
“We get ready to play and defend the brand, Auburn,” Freeze said. “We’ve got a chance against a top 20 team. That should excite us.”
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on X: @jeff_shearer