Game Blog: No. 17 Auburn vs. Arkansas
October 10th, 2009
For updates throughout the game, scroll down to the comments section.
10:40 a.m.: Joe Adams will not play today because of “medical reasons,” according to a one-sentence release just handed out to us here in the press box. I know, it’s vague, but we’ll try to get more information after the game.
10:20 a.m.: I’ve made it to the press box here at Razorback Stadium. Keep it here for live coverage and analysis.
The view at Razorback Stadium one hour before kickoff against No. 17 Auburn. (Brandon Marcello)
Wide receiver Joe Adams is not dressed out for the Razorbacks this morning. I repeat, the Hogs’ leading receiver (16 catches for 316 yards) doesn’t look to be playing today. I’ll try to get an update from the media relations staff here in the box.
We also just learned that Auburn linebacker Adam Herring, the son of former Arkansas defensive coordinator Reggie Herring and a former Shiloh Christian star, will start at right linebacker today.
Kickoff is about 48 minutes away and the fans are starting to trickle into the stadium. I wonder if it’ll be close to capacity today or if the early kickoff and cold temperatures will keep some folks away. I know one thing, there were plenty of tickets in the air on the walk up Razorback Road this morning.
As we have all season, game updates and analysis will be available in the comments section. So make sure to interact and post your questions. If you’re heading to the game and want some updates, make sure to subscribe and follow us on Twitter (@wholehogsports).
— Brandon Marcello
Arkansas 6,
Auburn 0
(FIRST QUARTER)
Arkansas just had one of its best opening drives of the season, melting 5:31 off the clock and driving 73 yards for a touchdown.
What else? Well, the Hogs were 2 of 2 on third downs, an area they had been struggling with all season. Broderick Green finished things off with a nice 2-yard touchdown run. He lowered his head and bulldozed into the end zone.
Arkansas didn't have a play longer than 12 yards on the drive, but the offense was clicking. Ryan Mallett picked up a first down on third-and-7 with a 9-yard run, even.
Let's see how Auburn adjusts on offense and defense. The Tigers went three-and-out to start the game, much like the Tulsa game last season. Gus Malzahn,though, adjusted after that first drive in the Tulsa game last season. I'm sure he's got something up his sleeve here.
Also, the Tigers ran the Wildcat with Kodi Burns for two plays.
How awful is Bob Griese? He went from prime time games to 11 AM starts with Chris Spielman?
Heading to th e second quarter and Arkansas is out-gaining Auburn 117-29 in total yards on offense. Who would have thought that?
Well, Arkansas is stopping the short game, mis-direction and option plays the Auburn Tigers have run so far. But, as predicted, the Hogs weren't doing too well with the deep ball. Luckily for Arkansas, quarterback Chris Todd overthrew a deep pass to keep the Tigers off the board.
Arkansas 20,
Auburn 0
SECOND QUARTER
Arkansas is getting the best of Auburn, to say the least. After Michael Smith busted for a 25-yard touchdown run to put Arkansas up 13-0, Mario Fannin fumbled the kickoff return.
Andru Stewart ran up behind Fannin, popped the ball out with a swift punch and Jerrell Norton recovered the fumble at the 34. On the second play, Ryan Mallett found Greg Childs over his shoulder for 16-yard TD and 20-0 lead.
How do you think the Hogs are doing?
I am following the game in the Slophouse because I am in Southern France. What a great start. Shut down Malzahn's game!
How do you like them hogs tubberville
Currently in Afghanistan serving our country, going hawg wild watching the hogs. Go Razorbacks! Eat some pork Tuberville!
best half of football we've played all year by far--go Hogs, go!
HALFTIME
Arkansas 27,
Auburn 3
Not to toot my own horn, but the Hogs are doing just what they have to do to win this game as mentioned in our Slophouse predictions yesterday. The Hogs are playing disciplined defense from sideline to sideline and Auburn QB Chris Todd has, so far, been unable to hit the deep ball even though his receivers have been wide open.
Auburn is dangerous and still has a good shot of coming back in this game, especially if Todd can hit the big passes and the Arkansas offense, somehow, stalls without its two biggest playmakers at wide receiver. Joe Adams (medical reasons) and Jarius Wright (concussion during game) are out of action.
But D.J. Williams and Michael Smith, the two "Lost in Space" Razorbacks since breaking out last season, have filled the voids with a couple of touchdowns and big plays.
In case you missed it, the Hogs got a touchdown after Mario Fannin fumbled a kickoff. After another Auburn punt, the Hogs drove 69 yards in eight plays, which ended with a 5-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Mallett to Williams with 1:08 remaining in the first half.
Halftime stats coming up.
HALFTIME STATS
The individual stats aren't complete, so keep that in mind. So far, the Hogs are out-gaining Auburn, 274-108. Most important stat? Arkansas is 3 of 5 on third downs, an area it had been struggling with and Auburn is 3 of 10.
PASSING
Arkansas
Ryan Mallett — 15 of 22 for 154 yards and 2 touchdowns with 1 INT
Auburn
Chris Todd — 9 of 19 for 68 yards
RUSHING
Arkansas
Michael Smith — 14 carries for 101 yards, 1 TD
Auburn
Ben Tate — 9 carries for 26 yards
Onterio McCalebb — 2 carries for 18 yards
What is Joe Adams Injury???
There's a 3 TD lead at halftime! Tuberville? Who?
manleystaney3,
Injury wasn't specified. We were only told "medical reasons" were holding him out. We'll try to find out more after the game.
btw--afghanhogfan: thank you and God bless!
Arkansas 34,
Auburn 3
THIRD QUARTER
Well, the Hogs have all the momentum and Auburn is certainly doing its part to hand this game over. Auburn forced the Hogs into a three-and-out to start the second half, and Auburn's offense was driving down field to get back in the game but Ben Tate fumbled the ball on the Hogs' 5-yard line, Jake Bequette recovered and the Hogs drove down the field in 10 plays on a 95-yard TD drive.
Auburn's Craig Stevens picked up a pass interference and on the ensuing play, QB Ryan Mallett ran in for a 4-yard TD to put the Hogs up 34-3 with 7:56 remaining.
Auburn is driving again. Can they score and not make costly mistakes?
Hey Arkansas fans our coach is no longer Tuberville. Yes we are looking pretty pathetic but umm Tuberville has been gone
the dissing of Tub had to do with his 21 point Auburn blowout prediction
AUFAN: keep up with current events...Tuberville said Thursday that AU would beat Arkansas by 3 touchdowns. Don't be so ignorant and stay on your own sites.
Just like that, the Tigers are back in it.
34-17 Hogs after Ben Tate's two touchdowns within 1 minute, 10 seconds of each other. The last TD was a 60-yard run that came on first play of drive.
Can Auburn hold Hogs again and get another score? If so, this game could get interesting.
By the way, Arkansas' tackling was horrible on that 60-yard run.
Maybe it will be a shootout. 34-23 Hogs heading to fourth quarter.
What's happened to Arkansas' defense, which seemed so disciplined in the first half?
We need to take advantage of Johnson's return and take the air out of Auburn a little--good teams know how to finish games!
did M. Smith get a cramp??
Arkansas 41,
Auburn 23
FOURTH QUARTER
Arkansas got a score it needed after allowing Auburn to amass 20 points and nearly 250 yards of offense in the third quarter.
The Hogs' Broderick Green got a 3-yard touchdown run up the middle to extend the lead to 41-23 with 11:22 remaining.
In case you guys haven't heard, sophomore wide receiver Joe Adams had a mild stroke sometime earlier this week. Adams received treatment in Little Rock and spent some time with his mother.
A very concerning matter, obviously. Bobby Petrino wouldn't speculate on whether Adams will return to the field this season.
I just hope Adams gets better. He seems like a nice young man.
Regarding the game today. Never have I seen a team's with as large a superiority complex as Auburn's fans toward Arkansas's. From their fans feeling to need to invade our boards to their dismissive attitude towards the Hogs', they have been the worst. Well, I can tell them all now to eat it. I can also tell Tommy Tuberville to eat it, and it looks like our defense took our Mucinex. "BOAR EAGLE!!" And better luck next year. Maybe by then you'll decide what your mascot really is.
Good job by Willie Robinson and the defense. It was a bit scary in the third, but Auburn has a very potent offense, so that is bound to happen. However, when it mattered they stepped up. Good work, and keep improving.
Terrible news on Joe Adams. I'm sure I speak for the entire Hog Nation when I say that our thoughts and prayers are with him. So sad to have such a terrific day saddened by this news. I know the coaches will watch his recovery closely and look out for his best interests. Good luck Joe and GO Hogs!
My thoughts and prayers are with Joe Adams, and I wish him a blessed recovery. As for the Hogs great game we showed heart, self determination, discipline, and the right execution on defense and offense to secure a much needed victory for the hogs. GO HOGS BEAT FLORIDA!!!!!!!!!!!!
First off, in case no one noticed, there were five bs pass interference calls on auburn, three of which arkansas scored off of. Yes our defense was horrible.", but the refs helped by calling five bs interferences on us, and nothing on Arkansas until it didn't even matter. Secondly, this is our first year with a new coach so quit acting like you beat Florida. Thirdly, whoever said something about aubby and war eagle, you should read up on it. There's a reason for war eagle, and how it started has become a huge tradition. So good job guys.
Drew, way to be a sore loser. Too bad your team couldn't back up the trash talk that your fan base and former coach dished out.
We are not acting like we beat Florida. We are acting like we beat the snot out of an Auburn team that has whiny, prima donna fans, just as your post made evident. Go away and take your team's butt whooping like a man instead of blaming it on officials.