Auburn vs. Arkansas report card: It’s ugly again for the offense

The Auburn Tigers lost their SEC opener and second game of the season at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday afternoon, falling 24-14 to the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Similar to its loss to Cal, a relentless number of self-inflicted injuries and squandered opportunities cost Auburn a chance to pull off a win against one of the easiest teams to beat on its schedule.

How did Auburn’s specific position groups perform against Arkansas?

Offense:

Quarterback: D

Excluding Auburn’s four interceptions, Hank Brown and Payton Thorne had solid games. Brown completed 7 of 13 passes for 72 yards, Thorne completed 13 of 22 passes for 213 yards and two touchdowns.

It was a nice cruise to this iceberg.

Unfortunately for Tigers quarterbacks, interceptions are nearly impossible to ignore. Brown threw three, including one on a deflected pass, Thorne threw one, also on a deflected pass.

Additionally, Brown and Thorne both struggled to make the right reads in crucial moments, making quarterback play a big reason the Tigers fell short.

Running back: D

This rating could easily be higher, but there is one piece that brings it down considerably.

In the second quarter, Damari Alston ran the ball 36 yards and could have given Auburn a first-and-goal from the Arkansas one-yard line. However, Alston fumbled the ball in the end zone and Arkansas recovered it for a touchdown.

Alston ran for 38 yards on three carries and caught a pass for a loss of three yards. Jarquez Hunter ran for 67 yards on 12 carries.

Receiver/Tight End: C

Much like their teammates in the backfield, the Tigers’ receivers could have gotten a better grade if not for those deflected passes that led to Arkansas interceptions. Cam Coleman was responsible for one and Rivaldo Fairweather was the intended receiver for the other.

KeAndre Lambert-Smith caught five passes for 156 yards and two touchdowns. Malcolm Simmons caught five passes for 44 yards and Fairweather had four receptions for 40 yards.

Five other Tigers caught a pass, none of them going more than 15 yards.

Offensive line: B

Auburn’s offensive line held Arkansas to four tackles for loss and two sacks. Both quarterbacks had time to get rid of the ball. Thorne’s inability to see pressure is concerning for a fifth-year senior. His pocket awareness and field vision are two major reasons he struggled at Auburn.

This unit has proven to be a significant improvement over what the Tigers have had on the field in that area over the past two seasons.

Defense:

Defensive line: C

Auburn had a good day rushing the passer as a team, but the linebackers and secondary seemed to have more impact than its defensive line. They lost control of quarterback Taylen Green too often and allowed Green to extend his drives.

Of the Tigers’ seven tackles for loss, two were made by defensive linemen. Keldric Faulk had one and Quientrail Jamison-Travis the other. Faulk was also the only Auburn defensive lineman to record a quarterback rush.

Linebacker: B

Auburn’s linebacking unit arguably had the best day of any position group in its loss to Arkansas.

Two of Auburn’s three sacks came from linebackers Dorian Mausi and Jalen McLeod. Those two combined for three tackles for loss. Eugene Asante had four of the Tigers’ six quarterback pressures.

Secondary: B

Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green was limited through the air, completing 12 of 27 passes for 151 yards and one of the Razorbacks’ three touchdowns, also throwing an interception.

Cornerback Kayin Lee was responsible for the Tigers’ only interception.

Special teams: B

Oscar Chapman averaged 44 yards on his three punts. His longest punt of the day went 49 yards and he pinned Arkansas inside its own 20-yard line once.

Towns McGough made 2 of 2 PAT attempts, but didn’t have a chance to attempt a field goal.

Auburn has avoided the missed punts and similar special teams mistakes that have been present repeatedly so far this season.

What’s next?

Auburn will host No. 21 Oklahoma next Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT. ABC will carry the broadcast, it can also be streamed on ESPN+.