AUBURN, Ala. – Tyler Wilson played admirably Saturday.
In the most difficult of circumstances for an unproven quarterback, Wilson was asked to come into the game for Ryan Mallett, who had been knocked out of the game with a concussion. After struggling on his first series, Wilson watched as Auburn blocked a punt and scored three plays later. Suddenly it was 24-14 and the 87,451 that packed Jordan-Hare Stadium were rocking at a deafening pitch.
But Wilson kept his poise and completed 14 consecutive passes. Aided by great route-running and even better runs after the catch from his receivers, Wilson tossed for 332 yards and four touchdowns, and briefly gave the Razorbacks a fourth quarter lead.
“I thought he had a lot of poise and executed very well,” Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said. “He was concentrating, focusing and making plays. The way the team rallied around him and came out and played to help Tyler was something good to see.”
Up 43-37 it looked like Wilson was going to lead the Razorbacks to the most unimaginable of victories until the bottom dropped out. In an untimely visit from ghosts of fourth quarters past, the Razorbacks turned the ball over on three consecutive possessions and watched in disbelief as the Tigers scored 28 unanswered points.
When it was all said and done the final score read: No. 7 Auburn 65, No. 12 Arkansas 43.
“I really thought we would find a way to win the game,” Petrino said, “but we came up short. Obviously turnovers affected s in the fourth quarter, and it was the difference in the game.”
The other difference was the play of Arkansas’ defense and special teams. After giving up 75 points and nine offensive touchdowns combined in five contests entering the weekend, the Razorbacks gave up 65 points and seven offensive scores to the Tigers.
Auburn repeatedly found itself with good field position thanks to its kick return game. The Tigers averaged 44.2 yards per return, including a 99-yarder by Onterio McCalebb to set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Newton in the third.
“That’s not good,” Arkansas defensive end Bequette said. “Obviously we’re going to have to get that corrected. As you saw today special teams are a very important phase of the game and we’ve got to get that handled.”
Auburn scored on 10 of its first 12 offensive possessions as the Razorbacks could never find a way to contain the Tigers’ offense, in particular quarterback Cam Newton, who sliced through Arkansas’ defense like a hot knife through butter.
Newton rushed for 188 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries. He added 140 yards and a touchdown on 10 of 14 passing in a game that will likely cement his place among the top Heisman candidates nationally.
“He’s very versatile and very dynamic,” Bequette said. “He’s a great athlete. We needed to wrap him up and get him down, and we couldn’t do that today.”
Newton’s run-pass threat kept the Razorbacks off-balance seemingly the entire afternoon. Auburn punted only twice – including its opening possession – and the Tigers averaged 7.3 yards per offensive play.
While the defense struggled, it had to defend short fields several times because of mistakes in the kicking game and turnovers. Auburn began four scoring drives in the Razorbacks’ territory, including two inside the 10. The Tigers also scored a defensive touchdown on Zac Etheridge’s 47-yard fumble return in the fourth quarter.
A week after forcing four turnovers against Texas A&M, the Razorbacks forced none against the Tigers, though it was close. Arkansas looked to have recovered a Mario Fannin fumble in the second quarter, but the play was called a touchdown on the field and upheld on a replay.
“Any time you make a play like that and think the game is changing only to have to run back on the field, it’s disappointing,” Arkansas linebacker Jerico Nelson said.
Razorbacks defensive coordinator Willy Robinson said he is interested to see how his unit responds.
“We hope it’s like after the Alabama game,” Robinson said. “They were (ticked) off; they were upset and they were disappointed. They knew they could play better.”
As for Wilson, take away a pair of interceptions and he likely couldn’t have played any better for the Razorbacks. He gave his team a shot when it appeared they had no shot at all.
For more visit WholeHogSports.com. You can follow Matt Jones on Twitter @NWAMatt.
gee this is just like the last few years, halfway were in last place.
this spiritual team is really getting it done. less preaching and more real coaching might be in order. i cannot see the light at the end. o well nashville or shreveport might still be in sight.
How bad do we miss Dennis and Seth on kick offs and kick off returns? Seth always got the lead block and always seemed to be in on the tackle when we kick off. That being said, this game made me sick! The defense played scared. The refs just plain sucked. They were awful, frickin terrible. The offense looked great until…wait for it…the fourth quarter. I wish we would turn the ball over earlier in the game, if we have to turn it over. Oh yeah, I like how they put Dyer in the game at the end. That kid is a punk. He was only well enough to play once he knew they were gonna win? What a load of crap. I hope Patrick Peterson or Drake Nevis lights his butt up next week. Call me a sore loser if you want, that’s fine. It’s just disgusting how we beat ourselves, and would have still had a chance to win if the refs would just call a half decent game. Did I mention that they were awful.
The heck with this high powered offense. No defense, no special teams, losing football.
Im sick and tired of hearing Willy say we”ll see how they respond.Games dont come any bigger than today with everything wide open in the standings and your defense comes out half hearted and cant make fundemental tackles, Im sick of this lame sense of coaching. If you cant get your guys fired up for a game like this, you cant coach period and the same goes for John l Smith, his kick return and kick coverages gets worse each week. What the hell do you guys practice on during the week. Really tell us how your team will respond to droping out of the top 25 like a rock.
there is undoubatbly some unhappiness on the Hog football team,nobody will say it,but its there,i think it might be some are alot of the Hog players want to see Brandon Mitchell QB sometime,he throws passes and makes good runs in practice,and runs all the defense ragged,yet he is considered third team,without a chance in live game situations to prove hisself,hey he joines the Razorbacks to play just like the other two.
Does anyone want to throw a freaking block on our kickoff return and maybe can someone sprint to the hole.. Errrrrrr… Wall of defenders….and not tip toe up there. Frick! And the refs are effn awful. I could be wrong but looked like a similar crew from last years Florida game. Absolutely disgusting!! They changed the entire game with bullshit calls!! On a bright note, I was really pumped about our team before the 3 straight turnovers. They really did step up against a lot of adversity and truly fought. A lot of guys really played like studs. It’s too bad that will all be lost in what feels like a miserable loss. You’ll never convince me though that refs did not play a BIG hand in stealing that game.
Mallett is clearly the best QB on this team, but Wilson made me feel better about next year. I don’t think it’s wise to experiment with your backup QBs in a huge game like this just to do it. Young backup players have to wait in line sometimes; it just comes with the territory.
By the way, was this the same lead official that called the Florida game last year (and was subsequently suspended)? If it is, and if I were Bobby Petrino, I’d contact the SEC officiating office and clearly state that we will not participate in any game this sorry excuse for a referee is scheduled to call. The mistakes made by this crew, including the replay official, were simply inexcusable. Replay is supposed to correct mistakes by officials, but they used it today to uphold stupid blown calls. I think the SEC needs to publicly state which referee signaled touchdown on Auburn’s fumble because NO ONE saw anyone signal TD.
The calls sucked for sure, but lets look at the real reason, Wilson came back , gave us a 6 point lead. Then with all the momentum on our side, Willy’s piss poor defense lets them drive the length of the field in like 2 minutes and take the lead again, That defense looked slow, half hearted, and just did piss poor tackling all day, how sicking for a game this big.
Yeah, the fumble (that was NOT a fumble) for a touchdown changed things. But a blocked punt and a kickoff to the 1 yard line will lose a game pretty quick for you. I know Tyler Wilson had two costly turnovers, but the guys played like a warrior in probably one of the most hostile enviornments you could debut in man. Give the kid some credit. I love Brandon Mitchell, but would he have thrown for 332 yards and 3 touchdowns in that situation?
it is time for willy to go. and if petrino refuses, then it is time for bobby to be on his way as well. if they lose to ole miss next week then willy needs to leave after the game, and bobby after the season.
I still have faith in Petrino, I think he knows he was hired to do a job and old friends or not if they cant produce units that can compete in the sec, he will find a hire that can. Hopfully TCU’s DC.
I was nervous about this game all week, and when I saw our team walking, not running, to come out of the chute onto the field, I didn’t see the pumped up look I saw for the Alabama game. This game was, to me, at this point, bigger than that one. Alabama just got beaten, other big ones fell today, and we could have shown so much to the nation. Unfortunately, we had crappy refs, AGAIN, and those kinds of calls seem to really take the wind out of our sails. My LSU friends even said how bad the refs were and felt bad for us. But, when Wilson came in, I was amazed at how he executed and gave us great hope that the end of the game would go our way. I feel so deflated right now. I just hope we can come out Saturday and show more enthusiasm and togetherness. Sad In Louisiana…..
We were ranked #19 in total defense before this game…obviously 65 points and 350 yards rushing by Auburn will change that. No one should ever score 65 points on you man! I know its Cam Newton, but they ran the ball down our throats fellas. They scored SIX rushing touchdowns. SIX! When has that happened before? Arkansas State’s “D” was much more effective against Auburn than we were. I was almost drinking the Willy Robinson Koolaid after the past few weeks and then we go and pull this junk. Too much hype for this season and not enough substance. We need to go in a different direction on Defense. Maybe its time to promote Steve Caldwell or Reggie Johnson… And yes the refs sucked, but we dug our own graves in this game. And I haven’t even started discussing special teams!
It’s well past time to put Willy Robinson and John L. Smith in a nursing home somewhere. Our defense sucked and our special teams were atrocious. If Petrino won’t replace these inept assistants, then replace Petrino!
you score 43 in the SEC, and you are suppose to win.
i love coach petrino, but this ain’t louisville.
better focus on defense, because throwing the ball all day won’t win games.
let mallet sit out next week with his “concussion” and let wilson play. clearly he is the better overall q/b.
hamilton running back kickoffs, what a joke, watch me fall down when someone gets close.
Go and look at the season so far – completer and utter let down in the fourth quartet this year. And in this game 8 to 28 – TO’s, tired defense, run the ball down our throat, however you want to describe it we are not conditionally fit to play a full four quarters. Run them after every practice and get them physically fit for four quarters of play. The “tempo” of practice does not make them prepared for four quarters of SEC FOOTBALL!!
And why didn’t we stick an LB in Newton’s back pocket every play? Who cares if a RB got loose, Newton should have had someone hitting him, shadowing him, “sleeping” with him every play in that game. You let someone else beat you but not Newton.
As an Auburn fan, I’d like to praise the heart of the Arkansas team today, especially Wilson, the backup QB. The final score was certainly not indicative of the “heartburn” quotient of the game. Auburn was fortunate on the two fumbles (I thought the TD was a fumble, but I also thought the late fumble was legit and a TD). But the early pass interference call (on the play Mallett was injured) and the holding call on Ziemba (on our first offensive drive) were both terrible in their own right. I don’t think SEC officials are dishonest. Just unqualified. The officiating in almost all of our games has been repugnant. After Mallett’s injury, it would have been easy for Arkansas to call it a day at 24-14. Heck, I thought Wilson was more effective than Mallett until the last two interceptions. Keep your head up, as long as your team plays with that much heart, you’ll be okay.
@Hogjim: What are you babbling about? The back-up comes in and completes 74% for 332 and 4 TDs, in just over a half of football, and your unhappy because a freshman didn’t get his turn? I’m at a loss for words…….
I don’t understand why the two reviewed plays were not reversed. That was a 14 point turn around. Does the SEC and its refs have a conspiracy to protect the teams they feel are most likely to go to the national championship game? Take those away and the blocked punt and the long return by Fannin and we win this game. I was impressed by Wilson. Next year we will have a good team. I don’t know what happened defensively. Did Malzahn have some tricks up his sleave that we weren’t prepared for? Was Newton that good? Do we lack depth on the defense so that they get tired? Well, Arkansas lost to the two best teams in the SEC; they can certainly win the rest. Really, is 10-2 a bad year? When was the last time we did that. The season is not lost guys.
Willy’s not to blame! If you can’t see the improvement by the defense over last year, you’re blind. HE DOESN’T HAVE THE PERSONNEL to be dominant in the SEC. Auburn’s style was the perfect storm against our defense. They ran straight at us, and there was nothing we could do to stop them. Just like Alabama, when they finally figured it out in the second half. Cam Newton, like Ingram/Richardson could have 5 yds+ whenever they wanted it. Our linebackers are too small. They can’t fend off blocks. Newton is a freak, he is bigger and faster than any linebacker on our roster. You all saw Jericho get steam rolled on the goal line. Aside from a few players, we don’t play tough on either side of the ball. I don’t think we intimidate anyone. We need some gravel in our guts. Auburn didn’t do anything fancy. We didn’t get out-coached! The quarterback draw was always at their disposal. Willy can’t get out there and make tackles!
@OldRazorback: Someone needs to put you in a nursing home.
home… ered.
Teams are only as tough as their coaches demand them to be. We wilted in the 4th again, and yes, our defensive gameplan was completely ineffective and seemed to get worse as the game went on. That is coaching, period. Stack 8-9 in the box and get beat on the pass, but don’t let Newton beat you. 350 rushing yards allowed with six rushing TD’s is a mauling! Special teams put the defense in awful situations, which led to disaster. Again, coaching. Newton needed to be smacked in the mouth from the onset, and the fact that they ran that inside QB draw like 20 times, made the adjustment a no brainer, but it never happened. We just kept getting punched in the face and finally passed out. That’s on Willy Robinson…How can a kick off team be so piss poor through out an entire game? That’s on John L Smith.
Jerry Franklin’s over 240 pounds. Anthony Leon is at least 230. Nelson is a flex Safety/LB. We aren’t tiny at LB. WE NEEDED MORE BODIES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FIELD AND AROUND THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE! We didn’t adjust. Now they couldn’t stop us either, we just had worse special teams and turned the ball over. That was the difference in the game: They came up with turnovers on defense/we didn’t and they had better special teams and had the calls go their way. That’s the game. I still can’t believe they hung 65 points on us though…Lousiana Monroe and Arkansas State only let them score 52. Tyler Wilson looked amazing though! I will say it too: He looks better than Mallett.
We need to remember that Willy was CBP’s second choice for a defensive coordinator. After this I think it’s time that we replace his pro-style defense with one that can stop the college-style game. Our boys are playing hard, but I don’t believe they are getting what they need to be special players.
I also think they need to hire a sports psychologist as there are mental barriers we cannot seem to overcome. After talking with the players maybe he could help some of us fans.
Better days are coming though as Jeff Long has promised that increasing ticket prices will be the magic fix we need.
Phillips and Dafun1 are on target.
With some obvious exceptions, the current Hogs play TENDER!! The special team situation is the critical point of coaching failure.
Overall There is a lack of violence in Hog play.
Recruitment is part of the solution — a large part — and I think there is great progress there.
Having watched some other SEC defenses I am convinced we are playing Low Impact football. And that won’t work in SEC.
I am still optomistic.
We were in it on offense only. Then we gave it away. Tyler looked good coming in. But I just think the guys didn’t really keep defensive or special teams focused. Then it was too late after the picks.
Also, I hope that Mallett realizes that he needs to stay for his last year. He has still got lots to work on. We can still get a nice bowl game. A Cotton Bowl game in Arlington would be great!
Next year they could win it all if they can just get the defense sorted. Cam Newton will hopefully be gone.
special teams special teams defense defense bobby petrino
you better get serious this is silly
john l smith and willy robinson need a serious conversation
are they to comfortable or what get serious man this
is not good at all man
you are being paid dam well make some dam decisions man
this continues to be your problem come on man do the right
thing here i love the razorbacks coach i need you to support
them with passion the way i do so show me coach its show time
I am a Big 12 fan and not used to watching SEC football. I have watched Ark vs. Auburn. Is the whole conference Playstation offense and no defense?
Miles,you are right about the officiating it was done by abunch of inbred SEC Refs from Alabama,and it is going to continue untill the University President and Atheletic Director take a little trip to the SEC OFFICE,they need to get the highlite reels and go public,let the whole nation see whats going on,the SEC refs have the Green light to call anything they want on the Hogs,but even if the Hogs had the best team in the country,the SEC would still screw them every chance they had.
rmmr,you and i both have had it with the Walrous mustach,wish he and the Special teams coach would both find another job.
I for one will be glad to see Mallet move on. He has a rocket arm and can make all the throws to impress the pro scouts but he can’t take a hit. Personally I think we will be a better overall TEAM with Wilson or Mitchell. As for the calls they totally changed the flow of the game which can affect the out come. Auburn would not have had the lead at half-time if the correct replay call would have been made. Also the play calling changed after the non-fumble by Green because we were having to play catch up. Lastly I think Willy will be gone and Steve Caldwell will be promoted to DC. We still have a chance for a 10 win season and 11 with a bowl win. Go Hogs beat Ole Piss!
Guys, I honestly don’t believe the defensive game plan was at fault. People were there at the spot, they couldn’t tackle the guy. Someone said we needed more bodies in the box. Tramaine was up there all day (tackling air). Do you think we should sneak an extra player or 2 onto the field? Someone also mentioned the fact that Monroe and A-State only allowed 52 points. Against Monroe. Newton had 1 carry for -11 yards (obviously a sack), and vs. ASU 15 carries. He hauled it 25 times against Arkansas, and scored 3 rushing touchdowns. He’s their bread and butter. I think he’s the best player in the SEC, and should win the Heisman. I don’t see Auburn playing in the conference championship though; not with that defense. Alabama matches up very well against them. That draw up the middle wont come easy against Bama’s 3-4. Look at there starting linebackers. Hightower, 260 pounds, Upshaw 263 pounds both in the middle. Some of our guys, at no fault of theirs don’t have a chance against a pulling gaurd or a fullback. Our D reminds me alot of the Colts D. Good pass rush, quick to the ball, but can be exploited if you run right at them.
I genuinely do not believe offensive coordinator Jason Garrett getting promoted to the head coach job is going to make very much difference to the future of The Cowboys. The rot has set in and they are going down.