Auburn football throws away SEC opener with five-turnover loss to Arkansas
AUBURN — Auburn football committed five turnovers in a 24-14 defeat to Arkansas on Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Auburn (2-2, 0-1 SEC) turned to team captain Payton Thorne at quarterback after Hank Brown was replaced at halftime after throwing three interceptions. Thorne led the Tigers to its first touchdown drive late in the third quarter completing 13 of 22 passes for 213 yards but also throwing a pick.
Despite allowing nine third-down conversions from the Razorbacks (3-1, 1-0), the Tigers finished with two interceptions and three sacks on Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green. Arkansas finished with 334 total yards and Green threw for 151 yards.
The Tigers will host Oklahoma next as SEC play continues.
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Slow first half for Tigers offense
Brown got the start for the Auburn and threw three interceptions. He completed 7 of his 13 passes for 72 yards and was benched for second half. Tailback Damari Alston committed the fourth Tigers turnover in the first half, fumbling the ball in the back of the end zone following a 36-yard rush to blow a scoring opportunity.
Auburn finished with 173 first-half yards with 10:34 of ball possession. Arkansas had fewer total yards at the halftime break but held the ball longer with 19:26 possession time.
Tiger wins turnover battle, errors kill momentum
The Tigers defense outplayed Arkansas for majority of the contest, only giving up a rushing score in the first half. However, busted plays in the secondary have been an ongoing issue for the Tigers, who gave up a 58-yard touchdown late in the third quarter on third-and-19.
Arkansas converted two of its three fourth-down tries and finished with 21 first downs. The ground game for the Hogs' totaled 183 yards, averaging four yards per carry. Green led the offense with 80 rushing yards.
Ja'Quinden Jackson added 62 yards on the ground with two touchdowns. His final score with 3:38 left in the contest extended the Razorbacks' lead back to double digits.
What's next?
The Tigers will host Oklahoma at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Auburn football falls to Arkansas at home on five turnovers
