McPherson’s field goals lead the way as Auburn tops Arkansas 33-24 in first SEC victory

FAYETTEVILLE, Ar. (WSFA) - After weeks of disappointment, growing concerns over the state of their offensive capabilities, and questions about the future of Head Coach Hugh Freeze, the Tigers left Razorback Stadium Saturday with their first SEC win of the season.

It was a game of key players including Jeremiah Cobb, Alex McPherson, and Quarterback Ashton Daniel, who made his first appearance of the season after Jackson Arnold was benched in the first half.

McPherson, who’s 6 field goals accounted for more than half of the Tigers’ 33 points, kept a trailing Auburn within reach of Arkansas until a late-game surge allowed them to pull ahead in the final stretch of the fourth quarter for a 33-24 victory.

Jeremiah Cobb rushed for 153 yards across 28 carries, a career high for the Junior Running Back, and Ashton Daniels completed 6 of his 8 passing attempts.

Four turnovers to Auburn in the fourth quarter all but sealed the game for the Tigers, whose defense kept Arkansas in check in the last minute to break their 4-game loss streak.

Game Recap

First Quarter

After stopping Arkansas at the 30-yard line, Auburn’s offense got to work, converting 4 first downs to get within throwing distance of the endzone on their opening drive.

A one-handed catch by Cam Coleman off a 20-yard pass gave Auburn a 7-0 lead to kick things off.

The defense then dug in to stop Arkansas again, this time allowing only one first down.

The first quarter ended on the 31-yard-line with a first down for the Tigers.

Second Quarter

Auburn extended their lead to 10-0 after an incomplete pass to the 8-yard line on third down forced them to opt for a field goal to open up the second quarter.

The hogs put up their first points of the game with a 58-yard pass to Raylen Sharpe inside the endzone (10-7).

Quincy Rhodes Jr. then sacked Jackson Arnold for a loss of 9 yards to the Auburn 16, getting the ball back in just 3 plays.

On first and goal, Braylen Russell pushed his way through Auburn’s defense into the the endzone to give Arkansas a 14-10 lead with 5 minutes left in the half.

Auburn took over at the 25-yard line, where Jeremiah Cobb started a chain of rushes to get them into Arkansas territory.

After converting three first downs and getting into the redzone however, Arnold threw his second interception of the season, a pick six to Kani Walker who returned the ball 89 yards to put Arkansas ahead 21-10 at the end of the second quarter.

Halftime

Auburn - 10

Arkansas - 21

Third Quarter

Trailing by 11 points, Auburn made it into the redzone again, only to be held to a field goal to open the second half 21-13.

After forcing a quick 3-and-out, Auburn had to settle for their third field goal by Alex McPherson from the 43-yard line to gain some ground, (21-16).

Arkansas answered with a field goal of their own on the next drive, pulling further ahead 24-16.

Fourth Quarter

The Tigers picked up 48 yards with a deep pass by Ashton Daniels to Eric Singleton Jr. onto the 25-yard line. However, another failed redzone push brought out Alex McPherson for his fourth field goal to put Auburn within 5 points of Arkansas in the fourth quarter, (19-24).

The momentum shifted with a key interception by Auburn’s Rayshawn Pleasant, who returned for 49 yards to give Auburn the go-ahead score of 27-24 after a successful two-point conversion.

The late-game momentum continued to build when Sylvester Smith recovered a fumble to get the Tigers within kicking distance of the endzone.

McPherson put the Tigers ahead 30-24 with his fifth successful field goal of the day.

With just under five minutes left, Rayshawn Pleasant performed his second interception, forcing a third straight turnover to the Tigers, which ended with McPherson’s sixth and final field goal for the final 33-24 score.

A third interception, this time by Kensley Louidor-Faustin put the ball back into Auburn’s hands with 1 minute left on the clock.

The game ended with a kneel down by Ashton Daniels at the 49-yard line on second and 12.

Takeaways

McPherson’s kicking plays key role

After scoring on just one of his four field goal attempts against Missouri last week, McPherson’s put up a perfect performance against Arkansas. The junior place kicker accounted for 18 of Auburn’s 33 points after scoring on every field goal he attempted.

Ashton Daniels steps up

After a pick six allowed Arkansas to gain a 2-score lead, Ashton Daniels stepped in for Jackson Arnold in the second half.

The Senior Quarterback threw for 77 yards and connected on 6 of his 8 pass attempts for a 75% completion percentage, his highest since the his freshman season.

Cobb carries on the offense

With a running back room stretched dangerously thin, Jeremiah Cobb continues to step up on the offense. The Junior Running back ran for a career high 153 yards and lead the game in rushing yards for yet another week.

Up next

Auburn’s record is now 4-4 overall. Despite Saturday’s win, The question remains whether or not they can defeat a ranked opponent. Depending how rankings shift, their next chance to answer that question could come on Nov. 8 when they face off against No. 10 Vanderbilt.

Before that however, the Tigers will return to Jordan Hare to host Kentucky, who are currently unranked, next Saturday.

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