Fast start sparks Auburn to rout of Arkansas

Field Level Media|published: Sat 11th November, 19:56 2023

Nov 11, 2023; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Auburn Tigers running back Damari Alston (22) tries to fight off Arkansas Razorbacks defensive back TJ Metcalf (18) during the third quarter at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Auburn won 48-10. credits: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports

Auburn used a fast start along with a 21-point third quarter, that included two touchdown passes from Payton Thorne, and rolled to a 48-10 victor over host Arkansas on Saturday at Fayetteville, Ark.

Thorne finished with 163 yards passing and three scores and added 88 rushing yards with a TD on the ground. Keionte Scott helped set the tone early for Auburn with a 75-yard punt return for a score in the first quarter.

Jarquez Hunter had 16 carries for 109 yards and added two receptions for 14 yards for the Tigers (6-4, 3-4 SEC).

Auburn's Rivaldo Fairweather had three catches for 28 yards and two touchdowns, while Ja'Varrius Johnson tallied three receptions for 53 yards and a score.

KJ Jefferson had 116 yards passing and added 50 yards on the ground for Razorbacks (3-7, 1-6). Backup quarterback Jacolby Criswell threw a TD pass to Isaac TeSlaa and ran for 64 yards.

Andrew Armstrong added two receptions for 34 yards for Arkansas.

Auburn jumped out to a 7-0 lead on its opening drive when Thorne capped a six-play, 75-yard drive with a 12-yard touchdown run. The score was aided by a 45-yard reception from Caleb Burton III.

After holding Arkansas to a three-and-out on its opening possession, Scott's punt return put Auburn up 14-0 with 11:01 to go in the opening quarter.

Following a Razorbacks punt on their ensuing possession, the Tigers went up 21-0 when Thorne connected with Fairweather for an 11-yard touchdown with 6:28 to play in the first quarter.

Arkansas cut Auburn's lead to 21-3 after a nifty interception return by Dwight McGlothern set up Cam Little's 39-yard field goal.

The Tigers upped their lead to 24-3 with 1:11 to play in the second quarter when Alex McPherson capped a 13-play, 73-yard drive with a 39-yard field goal.

A strip-sack by Elijah McAllister on Jefferson inside Arkansas territory set McPherson up for a 32-yard field goal, which gave the Tigers a 27-3 lead at the half.

On its opening drive of the second half, Auburn went up 34-3 when Johnson hauled in a 14-yard touchdown pass. The Tigers went up 41-3 after a fumble return by Caleb Wooden led to a 11-yard TD reception by Fairweather.

—Field Level Media

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