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.
JONESBORO – Staff members at Arkansas State University were honored for their retirement
and milestone accomplishments during the annual Distinguished Performance Awards and
Service Recognition Ceremony in Centennial Hall of Reng Student Union on Monday, May
11.
Those who have or will retire during the current academic year include Malissa Davis,
Ellis Library, 35 years; Jimmy Crocker, Facilities Management, 28 years; Anna Warren,
Childhood Services, 19 years; Cameron Martin, Facilities Management, 14 years; Barbara
Bland, Childhood Services, 14 years; Charlotte Booker, Information Technology Services,
12 years; Mary E. Williams, College of Nursing and Health Professions, 11 years; and
Joe Boon, Facilities Management, 9 years.
Honored for 45 years of service was Sharon Lee, director of community engagement and
outreach for the office of Access and Accommodation Services.
Honored for 40 years of service was Sharon McDaniel, records management supervisor
for the Registrar’s Office.
Those honored for 35 years of service include:
Phillip Ladd, project manager in Construction Services, and Russ Hannah, vice chancellor
for Finance and Administration.
Those honored for 30 years of service include:
Natalie Turney, administrative assistant in the Department of English, Philosophy
and World Languages and Cheryl Richey, custodial coordinator in Facilities Management.
Those honored for 25 years of service include:
Woodie Sue Herlein, out-of-school time projects coordinator in Childhood Services;
Diana Courson, assistant director of Childhood Services; Laura Miller, director of
Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center; Mia Sheppard-Taylor, director
of Custodial Services; Eric Barnett, core network engineer and wireless administrator
of Information Technology Services; Clay Hurn, Mail Center; and Sharon Rye, hardware
engineer in Information Technology Services.
Those honored for 20 years of service include:
April Morris, Michael Glover, Mary Melton, Grady Clark, Amber Long Martin, Kayann
Brown, Dwain Roberts, Randy Wheaton, Amber Jones, Melissa Jackson, Cheryl Wright,
Christy Brinkley, and Jimmy Rousseau.
Those honored for 15 years of service include:
Ronnie Gilley, Christina Kostick, Carol Caldwell, Michael Bradley, Mark Freier, Shea
Harris, Thomas Wilson, Chris Boothman, Lora Gibson, Cary Estes, Stephanie Gibson,
Jesse Blankenship, Violeta Lugo, Alyssa Wells, Marsha Carwell, Vickie Gilmer, Edward
Haff, and Alexis Hurdle Besharse.
Those honored for 10 years of service include:
Michael Hagen, Tammy Daffron, Terri Teters, Mollie Menton-Ipsen, Dale McClelland,
Taylor Carpenter, Anne Merten, Avis Turner, Benjamin Housewright, Dallas Reece, Brandon
Tabor, Tia Caldwell, Tara Thomason, Petree Buford, Robert Davenport, Cathy Naylor,
Shannon Williams, Jackie Cox, Frazier Dixon, Devin Nelson, and Michelle White.
Those honored for five years of service include:
Jeri Knight, Josh Rogers, Taylor Shannon, Fen Yu, Deloris Holley, Penny Toombs, Greg
Umhoefer, Sasha Jones, Brittany Stokes, Stephanie Stanley, Caleb Lawson, Raven Person,
Maria Bedwell, Michael Bledsoe, Judith Poole, Suzette Hinkle, Leigh Ann Crain, Bryce
Moore, Andrew Shoffner, Lyle Jones, Derrick Lett, Ben Kutylo, Autumn Anderson, Stanley
Broadaway, Michael Alexander, Jennifer Keys, Julie Yarberry, Shauna Baker, Melissa
Dooley, Paula Kelley, Taylor Simmermon, Craig Estes, Kyle Ford, Fady Fara, Sylvia
Zavala Brandon, Nicholas Wallis, Olivia Clark, and JD Stallings.
Honorees from five years of service through 20 years received a certificate and a
pin. Those celebrating 25 years and up received a plaque in recognition of their dedication
to A-State.
Anya Lynch (left), a Farmington High School student, fields the ball with the help of Riley Sundquist, Farmington Junior High School student on Wednesday, May 6, during the Special Olympics Arkansas Area 3-Farmington softball skills and competition event at the Farmington Sports Complex. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Caleb Grieger)
Anya Lynch (left), a Farmington High School student, fields the ball with the help of Riley Sundquist, Farmington Junior High School student on Wednesday, May 6, during the Special Olympics Arkansas Area 3-Farmington softball skills and competition event at the Farmington Sports Complex. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Caleb Grieger)
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KATV) — The Arkansas State Police (ASP) held their annual award ceremony today, to recognize bravery and service within their ranks.
Channel 7 provided coverage at the Benton event center this morning, as ASP awarded the troopers cross award, the distinguished Meritorious Service Award and the Medal of Valor to some of its finest members.
“Just a job, you got to do it. I mean, didn’t the day. You know, that’s what we’re trained for, and we’re thankful receive the highest quality of training, you know, in the state, and I’m thankful for the ones that come before us and taught us,” said Trooper Ethan Hiland.
This year, three troopers shared the honor of being named Arkansas State Police Trooper of the year, including Hiland.
Trooper First Class Brady Knuckles and Trooper First Class Jacob Price were recognized for their actions last June, during the arrest of a violent felon out of Michigan who had carjacked a woman at gunpoint.
The troopers saved that woman and killed the suspect in a stop near Carlisle.
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