The Opening Drive: Auburn at Arkansas

AUBURN, Ala. – After going 7-for-7 in holding opponents below their scoring average, Auburn’s defense gets tested again Saturday at Arkansas against the high-flying Razorbacks, who average 37.1 points per game. 

“I don’t have any concerns other than that we’re facing one of the more talented offenses I’ve seen,” Auburn coach Hugh Freeze said. “They’re really talented on offense. (Taylen) Green is playing at an extremely high level.”

A fifth-year senior, the 6-6, 235-pound Green passed for more than 500 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions in the Razorbacks’ two most recent games against Tennessee and Texas A&M while adding nearly 150 rushing yards and three touchdowns. 

“I expect our kids to come and compete like they have every time, but this team’s scoring a lot of points on some really good defenses so it’s a great challenge for us for sure based on what I’ve seen on tape,” Freeze said. “The expectation is that we’ll play at a high level with great action and execution. We have to stay in coverage when we’re in coverage because he will rip it over your head.”

With rain in the forecast, rushing yards could play a deciding factor. Statistically, that would play in Auburn’s favor. The Tigers have allowed only 610 rushing yards this season, Auburn’s fewest in seven games since 1994. Five times this season, Auburn has held opponents to fewer than 100 rushing yards.

For the Tigers, Jeremiah Cobb matched his career high with 19 carries last week against Missouri while logging his third 100-yard game of the season.

In its four SEC games, all against ranked opponents, the Tigers have lost by an average of a touchdown (7.25 points).

“When you look at how close we are to winning each of those games, it gives me great hope,” Freeze said. “I think that’s what you hold onto in times like these, the fact that you’re really, really close.” 

An inaugural SEC victory awaits the winner when Auburn (3-4, 0-4) plays Arkansas (2-5, 0-3) Saturday at 11:45 a.m. CT at Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Andy Burcham, Jason Campbell and Bret Eddins will describe the action for listeners on the Auburn Sports Network while Dave Neal, Fozzy Whitaker and Morgan Uber form the SEC Network broadcast team.

THREE QUESTIONS WITH DB KAYIN LEE

Q: After missing the second half of the Georgia game, how was it being back for a full game against Missouri?

A: It felt good. I’ve been working on keeping the team together, winning some football games and staying together. That’s the biggest thing right now, stay in the brotherhood. It’s more than football. Everything we’re going through is bringing us closer. 

Q: What do you see from Arkansas’ offense, specifically quarterback Taylen Green?

A: They’ve got some nice pieces over there. We’re going to play our game, handle our business and do what we’ve been doing every week on defense. Fast, violent, physical and elite mental execution. That’s our standard. You have to plaster receivers with his running ability in the backfield. He likes to scramble and if you come out of coverage, he’s going to throw it over your head. All 11 on the field have to do their job against him.

Q: You and cornerback Jay Crawford each had interceptions against Missouri. What’s the key to creating turnovers? 

A: Playing hard, trying to get our hands on as many footballs as possible. Trying to keep that going and get some in the box, too. Trying to give our offense some hope.

INSIDE THE SERIES: ARKANSAS

Auburn leads the all-time series against Arkansas 20-13-1 and has won seven of the last nine meetings, including six in a row from 2016-21. The visiting team has won each of the last four meetings in the series dating back to 2021. The first meeting took place in 1984 when the Tigers beat Arkansas 21-15 in the Liberty Bowl. 

BY THE NUMBERS

1,000: With a season-high 108 yards receiving vs. Missouri, Cam Coleman became the 32nd player in program history to record 1,000 career receiving yards. He’s the seventh Auburn player to reach the milestone prior to the end of his sophomore season and tied for the second fastest player since 1995 to reach the mark (18 games).

15: Auburn’s 15 rushing touchdowns through seven games are two more than the team’s rushing TD total from 2024 (13). The team has rushed for a touchdown in all seven games this season, including multiple touchdowns in four of seven games.

4: With four tackles for loss against Missouri, Robert Woodyard joined Xavier Atkins in rare company. The two have now accounted for two of the three 4.0 TFL games in the SEC this season. The 4.0 TFL are tied for the most by an Auburn player in a single game since at least 1995. 

24: Auburn is one of six FBS teams, including two from the SEC, that hasn’t allowed more than 24 points in any game this season. The Tigers have held their opponent under its scoring average in all seven games this season, including 12+ points under its average in five of seven games.