Arkansas
Auburn’s 3rd-Down Defense Struggled Despite Good Outing vs. Arkansas
Third-down defense was atrocious in Auburn’s 24-14 loss to Arkansas, in what was otherwise a solid performance by D.J. Durkin’s unit.
The Razorbacks ran 83 offensive plays on Saturday, but amassed just 334 total yards. The large number of plays was in part due to Auburn’s five turnovers, but also because the defense couldn’t get off the field on the money down.
On all four of Arkansas’ scoring drives, the Razorbacks picked up multiple third-down conversions. They were 9-19 for the game on third down and 2-4 on fourth down conversion attempts. Auburn won first and second down – almost always a surefire way to win the matchup – but third downs did the defense in.
“I thought our defense, other than third and longs, if we could just get off the field on third and longs, that defensive effort would have been remarkable, truthfully,” Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze said.
“It was devastating truthfully after they fought so hard after the offense put us in some bad spots, and to keep us the game, it really felt like we were going to win the game at half time if we just don’t turn it over,” Freeze added. “I want to say it was three or four third and longs if we got off the field and get the ball back we’ve got a chance to get a tie game. We just didn’t get off the field, and it’s for sure something we’ve got to work on.”
Arkansas got on the board in the second quarter on a 15-play 81-yard drive. The initial first down of the drive came on an incomplete pass on 3rd and 7 when Austin Keys was called for roughing the quarterback on Taylen Green. They converted a fourth down and two-short third downs to take a 7-0 lead.
Auburn’s defense dominated the middle portion of the game, but tied 7-7 the Razorbacks struck again on third down in the third quarter. Having already converted on 3rd and 13 and 3rd and 10, the Razorbacks were faced with a 3rd and 19 near midfield.
Green rolled left and threw deep for Isaiah Sategna, who had beaten Auburn’s safeties downfield. Keionte Scott was the closest man in coverage when Setegna caught the ball around the goal line.
“The roof player decided not to stay deep – same as last week,” Freeze noted.
Twice in the game on 3rd and 10 or more, Green was able to escape the pocket and pick up the first down running. Another couple of times Auburn was called for penalties on plays that would have otherwise brought on the punt team.
With Champ Anthony suffering a serious leg injury in the first quarter, sophomore Antonio Kite was in the game on a crucial play called for pass interference that led to Arkansas’s final touchdown. Without the flag, Auburn would have gotten the ball back down 17-14 and a chance to take the lead or win.
Freeze opened up his press conference speaking of Anthony and his left lower leg injury.
“Our thoughts are with Champ Anthony,” Freeze said. “Just a really difficult injury. He was playing at a really high level for us, and he was one of our leaders. I know our medical team will take great care of him as they go through whatever process they need to repair that injury.”
Hold onto the ball and win third-and-long and this Auburn Tigers team is looking at 4-0. With the “easy” part of the schedule behind them, Auburn better figure it out quickly as Oklahoma rolls into town next week.
After a cool/chilly morning that started in the 40s and 50s, Tuesday will warm to the upper 70s and low 80s with nothing but sunshine all day long.
There will be a weak front passing through Arkansas on Wednesday. There will briefly be a few clouds along the time the front actually passes through. But once the front clears, it will once again become sunny.
Starting Friday and lasting through the weekend and into next week a strong south wind will set up. That will warm Arkansas into the mid and upper 80s and introduce a higher level of humidity. It will feel a little like Summer this weekend. Rain chances will return to Central Arkansas starting on Sunday.
With a big upper-level system and cold front approaching early next week, the rain and thunderstorm chance will go up Monday, Monday night and Tuesday. Some strong to severe storms may occur Monday evening. The front will become stationary on Tuesday which will prolong the rainy period and overall help the drought situation Arkansas is facing.
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KATV) — Purple is the color of the month in Arkansas, and Lupus Awareness Month is bringing a busy stretch of events, including a mayoral proclamation and a smooth jazz concert featuring acclaimed saxophonist Merlon Devine.
A proclamation for Lupus Awareness Month is set for 6 p.m. in North Little Rock, with Mayor Hardwick expected to present it. Organizers encouraged lupus warriors and supporters to come out.
Anita Boone, President of the Lupus Foundation of Arkansas Inc. and a former lupus warrior, described the day-to-day reality of living with the disease: “One minute you’re feeling amazing, the next minute your body is saying we can’t do this.”
Lupus is an autoimmune disease, described during the interview as a condition where the immune system attacks the body “inside out.” It can affect organs throughout the body, including the brain, lungs, heart and kidneys. Boone also shared personal impacts, saying, “I am losing, actually, ear from hearing, just because of lupus.”
The Lupus Foundation of Arkansas is also inviting the community to a Lupus Smooth Jazz Concert this Sunday, May 17, at 3:30 at The Space with Grace event venue, 2005 Main St., North Little Rock.
Gale Davis, committee chair for the Lupus Smooth Jazz Concert shared details about the concert.
Davis said guests are encouraged to “dress to impress,” though formalwear isn’t required. The event will include a photo backdrop, light hors d’oeuvres and beverages, and sponsored tables aimed at networking. It’s also a chance for people to meet other lupus warriors, learn more about the foundation’s work, and watch a video presentation highlighting events from the past year.
The featured artist, Merlon Devine, was described as an acclaimed saxophonist known for a soulful, smooth jazz sound, with a career spanning more than two decades and performances across the country and around the world. He’s also an Arkansas native who attended Little Rock Central High School. He now lives in Southern Maryland, outside Washington, D.C.
Davis said Devine’s connection to lupus is personal. She said his father had lupus and has since died, though he didn’t die from lupus. They also said Divine had a sister who died from lupus in 1981 and that he currently has two sisters living with lupus.
She also shared that, according to his doctors, Devine was born with acute asthma and underdeveloped lungs. His latest single, released last year, is called “Mercy.”
Tickets must be purchased online and will not be sold at the door. They’re available online by clicking on the flyer. Prices are $40 for individual tickets, or $400 for a table of nine, with an option to sponsor a table.
Organizers also noted another proclamation is planned for the Little Rock side with Mayor Frank Scott tomorrow, and encouraged people to follow the Lupus Foundation of Arkansas on social media for updates.
The concert will take place this Sunday at the Space With Grace Venue in North Little Rock.
ASHLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. — An Arkansas man died after crashing a dirt bike on Sunday.
The 21-year-old Arkansas man, formerly from Newaygo, crashed into a tree while riding a dirt bike on private property in Ashland Township near Grant on Sunday before 2:30 p.m., according to Michigan State Police (MSP) troopers.
Emergency responders tried to save his life but he died at the scene.
Troopers are still investigating but do not suspect drugs or alcohol as factors in the crash.
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MSP did not initially release any additional information.
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