Bill's Blog: Auburn
2:26 p.m. — Don’t forget to click over to RazorVision to see Coach Petrino’s post game press conference streaming live. Good afternoon from Fayetteville.
2:25 p.m. — And it’s a final, Arkansas upsets 17th-ranked Auburn, 44-23. The Hogs keep their perfect record in the Red Zone this season and establish themselves as the top passing TD offense in the league.
2:23 p.m. — Davis breaks out into Auburn territory, Hogs have first down on the 41 with less than 30 seconds left.
2:22 p.m. — Hogs take over and keep it on the ground to grind out the final minutes of the game. This is the first SEC win of the year for Arkansas, the first loss of the year for Auburn.
2:17 p.m. — Todd returns, and gets sacked hard by Adrian Davis. Pass break up on second down and a pass completion for loss leaves Tigers fourth and 19. Punting team is on.
2:16 p.m. — Burns now in at QB for Auburn, Tate gets a nice first down run; Burns gets a first down.
2:08 p.m. — Stumon bores into the Tigers, pushes back to the one yard line before he’s turned around. 3rd and 1 and Green gets crunched at the goal line. Now fourth and 1. Mallett will let the game clock run down then take a time out, some confusion about the clock. Hogs were wanting the delay of game to allow Tejada a better angle. Finally reset clock and now a 23 yard attempt which is good.
2:07 p.m. — Todd then sacked, fumbles, recovered by Stafford. Wingo goes for the far left corner, run out of bounds at the four yard line.
2:05 p.m. — Two plays and Tigers have 20 of the 99 yards they need for the score. Not so much on the third play as Hogs stiff the run and break up Todd’s pass to Trot
2:02 p.m. — Auburn declines our delay of game, trying to get us to punt into the endzone. Breeding and Lucas Miller say HAH!. Miller sets up at the one, Breeding hangs it perfectly high and Miller downs it. 99 yard drive now in front of Tigers.
2:01 p.m. — A sack of Mallett leads to Razorbacks’ punt.
2:00 p.m. — Remember, today we’ll stream Coach Petrino’s postgame press conference on RazorVision.
1:59 p.m. — Green fumbles for Arkansas, covered, but a loss to the 32.
1:58 p.m. — As explosive as Auburn has been, this fourth and one feels like the game — FUMBLE. No first down spot. Todd manages to cover even though Hogs thought they had it.
1:56 p.m. — McCallebb gets stuffed to the 17 yard line. Todd hurried and completes to Trott, but he’s gonna get just two yards. Big noise on 3rd and 13. Todd sets up and fires up field. Gets a heck of a spot. Now officials will measure.
1:54 p.m. — Hog fans, retweet to friends that @RazorbackRoad down due to mystery from Twitter — we are looking for answers, maybe traffic can bring it
1:52 p.m. — Broderick Green’s 3yd TD run snaps Auburn scoring, puts Hogs at 40 points, PAT is good and it’s Arkansas 41, Auburn 23
1:51 p.m. — Chop block penalty backs up Razorbacks, Mallett gets it all back and some with pass to Williams. Hogs now at the three.
1:49 p.m. — Davis picking up where Smith left off, hits the gap with a six yard gain to the seven, first and goal.
1:46 p.m. — Tigers stop Wingo on first down for no gain. Quick out pattern complete from Mallett to the 21 yard line. Davis a trip from having a 21 yard touchdown, as it is, first and 10 at the 16.
1:44 p.m. — Dennis Johnson ends the third quarter with an exciting 70 yard kickoff return to the Auburn 30 (probably ran 110 to get there with cutbacks)
1:41 p.m. — 72,559 is the attendance today, and they sound officially mad after that Tiger drive.
1:39 p.m. — To say the least, Auburn’s Zachary breaks out on the reverse for 60 yards to the Hogs’ 7 yard line. Tate pushes it to the three, McCalebb takes the toss sweep to the corner. Auburn goes for the extra point, good, and its Arkansas 34, Auburn 23.
1:38 p.m. — Wingo gets stuffed trying to go up the middle, and Auburn suddenly has some life with 1:08 remaining in the third.
1:37 p.m. — Wingo comes in for a pair of runs in Smith’s place. Hogs face 3rd and 7 at 35; gun and no backs for Mallett. Screen to Williams only goes for one, maybe two. Petrino goes on fourth down.
1:35 p.m. — Razorbacks line up in a tight I-formation; PSYCH, Mallett drops back and lofts a 31 yard pass to Hamilton; Smith hits the corner for 12, but he gets tripped and looks like he’s hurt.
1:34 p.m. — Sidewinding kickoff into the endzone, Hogs down it to start on the 20.
1:32 p.m. — Tate breaks out for a 60 yard touchdown run on first down, now Arkansas 34, Auburn 16; going for two. Out of bounds. Arkansas leads 34-16.
1:29 p.m. — Two incomplete passes and a short run by Smith leaves Arkansas with fourth down. Punt to Tigers, Lewis plays the bounce and returns it to the 40 yard line.
1:28 p.m. — The TD put Auburn just under the largest margin in the series, Hogs won 42-17 in 2001.
1:24 p.m. — Tate gets the first, then moves it to the one. No surprise, handoff to Tate for the TD and he goes over 100 yards for the day, 18 carries for 101 yards. He’s run possessed since the fumble. The PAT is good and the Tigers trail by 24, Arkansas 34, Auburn 10.
1:23 p.m. — Auburn still no huddle, but moving slower, more deliberate. Todd works to find open receiver, but Stewart and Franklin prevent the first down, 3rd and 1 at 12.
1:22 p.m. — Tate run puts it in Hog territory after a pass interefenrence call, Tate finds space on the left and takes it down to the 16 yard line.
1:21 p.m. — Todd holds ball, waits and goes down field, will pick up the first down thanks to pass interference.
1:20 p.m. — End around is a lot of work for Auburn, but the Razorback defense stays home and it only yields five yards.
1:18 p.m. — We’re thinking back to Matt Jones’ "dunk" for a similar style move toudhdown run.
1:15 p.m. — Ryan Mallett sees the white sea of Tigers part and he just strolls in with the ball outreached for the TD. The PAT is good and its 34-3. A 95 yard touchdown drive on 10 plays for 4:06 — that’s a soul-crushing drive, particularly when your side thinks it is about to punch in a score.
1:14 p.m. — Great misdirection call, but broken up at the back of the endzone to Lucas Miller. 3rd and 6 at the AU 11. Mallett’s pass broken up to Williams, two Tigers there, late flag, and it’s pass interference for the first down.
1:12 p.m. — Deeeeeeeep to Childs, 43 yard pass play to the 10, Hogs in business again. But, now we have a video review. They say he stepped out on 15, so back up.
1:10 p.m. — No rhyme or reason to Twitter troubles on @RazorbackRoad, shifting to the @ArkRazorbacks.
1:08 p.m. — Smith breaks away on the right side, carries it up to the 29 yard line. Mallett hit as he throws on first down. Smith breaks away again and moves it out to the 40 yard line.
1:06 p.m. — FUMBLE as Tate just lays it down on the ground, Bequette with the recovery.
1:05 p.m. — After the ESPN timeout, Tate gets behind a wall of blockers and carrys it to the 8 yard line. Tate tries again and gets stopped at the four.
1:01 p.m. — Tate breaks out for nine yards on misdirection. Todd goes for it deep to Carr, Hogs have Ford shaken up on play. He’s up and to sideline.
12:59 p.m. — Mallett opens second half with an incomplete, between pair of receivers, little miscommunication. Handoff to Green for short yardage, now third and long. Hogs end up with three and out as Williams can’t make the marker. Nice roll on the punt to put Tigers on their own 30.
12:57 p.m. — Ready to receive the kickoff for the second half.
12:53 p.m. — A little Hank Williams-like country with Hog Wild on the PA to reset the football audio palettes as the two teams return for warm-ups.
12:46 p.m. — Razorback band has performed, and now something you don’t see every day, Jura Margulis will have a piano performance. Margulis is the McAllister Professor of Piano in the Fulbright College; he’ll be playing his arrangement of Stars and Stripes. Not very often, even for a formal performer with the Russian National Orchestra, Montreal Symphony to play before about 70,000
12:42 p.m. — Gymnastics team is being recognized for its first ever Super Six appearance this past April. Co-head coaches Mark and Rene Cook and the returning team members are being introduced
12:40 p.m. — Band opens with Back to the Future theme — hmmmm, kind of like the Razorback offense today.
12:35 p.m. — Mallett hands off to Smith and we go to halftime, up 27-3.
12:34 p.m. — Todd gets crushed, simply crushed by Sheppard; 2nd and 19, into the flat to Tate gets most of that back and little more. Fannin intended receiver and Broadway breaks it up. On fourth down, Auburn forced to punt, fair catch at the 33 yard line.
12:32 p.m. — Only 68 seconds left in the first half for Auburn to try and get their first TD of the day. Tejada skies it, Auburn lets it bounce and it’s an adventure. Multiple Hogs on the scene for a zero yard return.
12:30 p.m. — First and goal at 8 yard line, Smigh gets it to the five; naked bootleg, easy to Williams, he stretches for six TOUCHDOWN ARKANSAS; PAT is good, Arkansas 27, Auburn 3. That’s four for four in the Red Zone, still perfect for the year.
12:28 p.m. — Holding penalty backs up Arkansas to 32 yard line; Greg Childs gets that back on the first down. Hogs at AU 22. Mallett casually throws out to Reggie Fish, flag at end of play. Personal foul face mask, half the distance.
12:25 p.m. — Mallet going under to Miller, flag on the play, VERY animated discussion from Auburn player. He comes back for some more. Lucky there’s only one flag.
12:23 p.m. — Who said it? Yeah, right here — there goes Michael Smith again, gets to the edge, tightropes the line and he’s off to the Auburn 36. That’s 33 yards, and he’ll back it up with seven, then another five for the first down.
12:22 p.m. — Bad snap, Todd flustered and chunks one away; 3rd and long, lots of time, tipped up in the air, 4th down. Punt on the way, returnable and just a little space for Michael Smith. Hogs will start at own 31.
12:19 p.m. — Todd rolls, rolls, rolls to his right and gets the first down out to the 23 by air; Auburn now mixing the runs with pass to better effect. Nothing much on second, now 3rd and one; Tate barely gets the first down. Pace has changed for Auburn. Todd goes deep, over the top of Eric Smith, too flat to loft it in. 2nd and long.
12:17 p.m. — Interception for Auburn at the Arkansas two yard line, McFadden wins the jump ball with Hamilton. From their two, Tigers try to go ground for space, don’t get a lot.
12:15 p.m. — Dennis Johnson from the three, slices for a gap, bursts ahead to the 40, cuts back and bulls through a pair of tacklers for the 50 yd return. Six yard gain on first down to Crawford. Sets second and short, give to Smith and he’ll get the first down.
12:13 p.m. — Wheels might be off on the passing, but Auburn now using the rims to grind out some ground gains. Running keyed the way for first substantial drive of day for Tigers, however, Hogs keep them out of Red Zone and force the field goal. Remains 20 unanswered points.
12:12 p.m. — Tigers go for the 37 yard field goal attempt, it’s good by Byrum and its 20-3.
12:11 p.m. — Tigers now in position to throw at end zone for first time today. Broadway breaks up the first attempt. Now 3rd and long and in the loud part of the south end of the field, Todd lofts one hard to say who he meant to hit.
12:09 p.m. — Todd still in at QB, hand off up the middle to Caleb, that’s the longest play of the day for Tigers; 1st and 10 at 49. Another ground carry to punch into Razorback territory for the first time. Now face third down and noise at the 45. Back it up with a big reception to the 24 yard line, 21 yard gain, Quick snap and run, little gain.
12:06 p.m. — Is it too soon to say the wheels have fallen off the Gus Bus? 30 plays, 197 yards, 3 TDs for UA, still just 14 plays for 28 yards for Auburn.
12:06 p.m. — 2 plays, 34 yards, 39 seconds on the drive. Fade right, perfect loft to Greg Childs, 16 yards TOUCHDOWN ARKANSAS — who says Mallett is only a power passer? — Now Arkansas 20, AU 0.
12:05 p.m. — Mallett absolutely no pressure, finds DJ Williams in right flat, nice YAK and 18 yards to the 16, 1st down — 3rd trip to Red Zone
12:04 p.m. — Marrio Fannin on the return and he coughs it up into the air picked up on the run in mid-air by Jerell Norton and Hogs 1st and 10 at AU 34.
12:01 p.m. — 28 plays, 163 yards and two TD for Arkansas so far; Auburn has 14 plays for 28 yards and zero points; Arkansas 13-0 with 11:49 left in 2nd. They’re jamming out AC/DC on the PA.
12:00 p.m. — Been saying it all morning, Smith was on the verge and he breaks away from Auburn, gets space in the linebackers for the cutback then bulls into the endzone for a 25 yard touchdown run. The PAT is good and the fireworks go off on the Broyles Complex, Arkansas 13, Auburn 0
11:59 a.m. — London Crawford draws the defensive holding penalty, was wide open and could not reach the pass; first down again for Hogs. Razorbacks now at the Auburn 25.
11:57 a.m. — Mallett underthrows Childs, crowd wants the penalty. Mallett rolls left and gets it to Lucas Miller for the first down, Pinball tackle by Auburn, but he holds on through the crush.
11:55 a.m. — Another near hole for Smith on first down, he gets three; cracks through gap on left on second down, one player away from the breakaway. Gets five and a flip into the air. Flags fly and unnecessary roughness leads to a first down a the Auburn 48.
11:53 a.m. — Waiting, waiting for the red hat; now the noise pumps up. Auburn checks again; it only encourages more noise. Todd gets crushed and flips the ball forward as he goes down, no grounding but fourth down. Punting again, not as crisp and the fair catch puts Arkansas at its own 35.
11:50 a.m. — OH MY. Fannon cought the ball, but he loses his helmet and yardage; Nelson clocks him. The face masks lock, and Nelson comes up rooting his head around — hey, like a wild Razorback Hog — which pulls loose the Tiger’s gear. He then shakes the stuck helmet off his head like it was some offending piece of dirt stuck on his tusk. It was, as you can imagine, glorious on the replay board.
11:45 a.m. — Mallett goes to Wright on the crossing under pattern, fourth down and Petrino is going for it on 4th and 5 at the 37. Now a timeout for Arkansas. Incomplete and goes over on downs to Auburn.
11:42 a.m. — First qt stats: AU 4-12 rush, 3-7-0 for 17 pass; 11-29 yards total; Hogs 11-36 rush, 7-10-0 for 81 pass, 21 plays and 117 total yards; Smith is 5-17 yards rushing; Jarius Wright is 2-30 yards receiving; Six Razorbacks have a catch so far today.
11:42 a.m. — ASG recognizes the Chaney Family of Cabot as the UA honorary family as a part of Family Weekend
11:41 a.m. — Smith on the carry for four yards, another open hole that closed fast; and that will bring us to the end of the first quarter.
11:40 a.m. — Turns to the left side of the field and finds Tenarius Wright for the out pattern, 20 yard gain for the first down to the Auburn 41.
11:39 a.m. — Mallett puts one hard, fast and to the inside of the plate. Lucas Miller makes a sliding catch in for the first down.
11:38 a.m. — Michael Smith ooooooh so close to breaking that one into a big run, Auburn recovers and only two yards to the 25. Not so much on the third down call as he gets no gain. Third and long for Petrino.
11:36 a.m. — Todd gets pressure, defense makes coverage; Todd goes for his safety and it only gets Auburn back to the original line of scrimmage. Second three (actually four with the penalty) and out for Tigers. Beautiful punt by Auburn.
11:33 a.m. — Todd takes pressure, and hurries a pass to Zachary — wide open but way overthrown — second and long. Weak toss sweep goes for no gain. More checks at line for Todd of Auburn, players out of position, gets it off by clock? Whistles. Time out called by Auburn.
11:32 a.m. — For the second time in three possessions, Auburn begins with a false start penalty.
11:31 a.m. — Mallett throws only his second incomplete, Hogs punt and put Auburn at 25 yard line. Another ESPN TV timeout.
11:29 a.m. — Mallett flushed out of pocket, Auburn taking Bama approach, but Mallett gets positive yards to the two. Auburn brings only three on second down, Mallett has all day to find Hamilton for his safety and a five yard gain to 33. Third down. Mallett puts up his first poor pass of day, bounces to Williams, and Hogs forced to punt.
11:27 a.m. — Eight plays, 24 yards, two possessions for Auburn; 12 plays, 71 yards on first posession for Arkansas. Arkansas continues perfect on getting points in the Red Zone with their first drive today; Mallett ready to go but waiting for ESPN.
11:26 a.m. — Fair catch at the 26 will put Hogs in play at the 6:27 mark when we get back from this time out.
11:25 a.m. — Incomplete swing pass brings up 3rd and 9, play taking a long time to get in; snapped with five seconds, Fantastic coverage and the Tigers get their first first down but that’s it before punting.
11:25 a.m. — Noise jumps appreciably as Auburn checks off; Todd’s pass goes right through Wendel Davis hands; 1st down at the 34; stuffed on 1st.
11:23 a.m. — Auburn back to Todd at QB for its second series; whistles and flags, false start and Auburn is now -2 total yards for the day. Gets back the penalty and some yards on first down. The no huddle moving faster now for Auburn.
11:21 a.m. — Honoring the 1959 team now that went 9-2, a then school record for victories in a season. The 1959 team was the second for Frank Broyles as a coach and the 1st of 7 to win SWC titles, 1st of 10 bowl teams.
11:21 a.m. — Tejada’s kickoff taken at goal line; he gets absolutely rocked by Stuart and Broadway, McCallebb the ball carrier is down on the field, TV time out for injury
11:17 a.m. — Who predicted this early game stat: Passing yardage, Arkansas 43, Auburn -2.
11:15 a.m. — Green over the right side, follows the wall into the endzone, TOUCHDOWN ARKANSAS. PAT is mishandled and we’re 6-0; 12 plays, 73 yards, 5:41 on the drive.
11:14 a.m. — Stumon lines up as single back, bulls in for the first down; 1st and goal at the two.
11:13 a.m. — Williams survives bad first block and makes a great run after the catch to take the ball down to the Auburn 4 yard line, measuring for the 1st; just shy so 2nd down and inches.
11:12 a.m. — Mallett is reading Auburn’s defense like a cheap detective novel, sees the pack at the line, goes for D.J. Williams; heinous pass interference puts us on 17 with first down.
11:11 a.m. — Mallett is making a lot of checks at the line, and he’s seeing the whole field — that one breaks Smith over the left side for 9 yards
11:11 a.m. — Green on the toss sort-of sweep, leaves the first 3rd down of day; open back field out of the gun, complete underneath to Wright for 1st down.
11:08 a.m. — First incomplete of the game for Hogs; still second down a tthe Auburn 37.
11:08 a.m. — Mallet from gun first time, waits, waits, decides to run and busts over Auburn player for the first down; the crowd roars its approval
11:07 a.m. — Hogs have their first second down of the game after three yard gain by Smith. Ronnie Wingo, Jr., works, works gets one more yard. Dominquez and Auburn’s Goggans get their head gear locked.
11:06 a.m. — Mallett works from under center, wide open over the middle is Childs, he works it for seven yards after catch FIRST DOWN; touch pass to Smith that he saves at the 50 yard line FIRST DOWN.
11:03 a.m. — And just like that, the crowd has filled in and they are loud. They are rewarded as coverage and pressure results in a two yard pass for loss by Todd. Burns takes over on second down, keeps on the direct snap. Still Burns at QB. Hurry and it’s three and out for the Tigers.
11:02 a.m. — There’s no long wait for an 11 a.m. ESPN game to start, we’re ready to kick. Tejada will have the wind, returned out to the 34.
11:00 a.m. — POST GAME ALERT — we will stream Coach Petrino’s postgame press conference LIVE on RazorVision (members only)
10:55 a.m. — Remember, pregame stream ends soon on RazorVision; television is ESPN primary today. If you need a stream, remember ESPN360.
10:54 a.m. — Auburn wins toss and elects to receive; Hogs take north goal (and the reasonably strong wind)
10:53 a.m. — Captains out for UA, Mallett, A Davis, Michael Smith and D. Love; Burns, O’Coleman, Ziemba, Herring
10:52 a.m. — Wayne Martin introduced at midfield as today’s honorary captain, former all-SWC player and New Orleans Saint (like that part)
10:51 a.m. — And they’re marching the A down the field; the crowd growing rapidly in the stadium; now moving out of the way for the Silver Wings.
10:50 a.m. — Looks like no problems today for the Silver Wings parachute jump; we are at 11:00 to kickoff; they jump at 8:00
10:48 a.m. — Crowds are now pouring into the stadium, can see the sidewalks clogged, streets full; if you’re headed in still — be careful
10:46 a.m. — National anthem.
10:46 a.m. — Official statement now in the press box, Joe Adams will not play today due to medical condition.
10:42 a.m. — And cue the sunshine; bright full day sunshine breaks through just as the Razorback Marching Band takes the field
10:37 a.m. — Auburn has left the field, Razorbacks continue skeleton as we head toward the 20 minute mark and the march onto the field of the Razorback Band.
10:36 a.m. — That’s Herring as in Adam Herring, former UA defensive coach’s son.
10:36 a.m. — AU def: Coleman, Blanc, Ricks, Goggans, Stevens, Bynes, Herring, McFadden, Bates, Ethridge, Thorpe
10:35 a.m. — AU offense starters: Todd, Tate, Fannin, Trott, Zachery, Adams, Ziemba, Berry, Pugh, Isom, McCain
10:21 a.m. — Looks like Joe Adams is not dressed out, according to media Twitter reports.
10:20 a.m. — Cue the marching band entry; fun fact from ESPN — Arkansas and Auburn co-lead the SEC in touchdown passes so far this season
10:18 a.m. — Balance of Auburn’s team has taken field now, huddling before they break for warm-ups
10:12 a.m. — Scoreboards have flipped over to game clocks and scoreboards; 49 minutes to kickoff
10:09 a.m. — Razorbacks wearing traditional Cardinal jersey, white pants (no stripe), red helmets; Auburn in traditional road all white, orange and blue stripes, traditional white helmet. No small issue as TAMU last week broke out a white helmet (rather than their maroon) and ended up playing like the color in a 47-19 loss.
10:08 a.m. — Razorback spirit squads have entered with the Tusk-Mobile
10:07 a.m. — Razorback specialists and QBs have now emerged to take the field
10:06 a.m. — Game clock now at 56 minutes, looks like the Razorbacks are warming up inside the Broyles Center, Auburn QBs now joining the kickers
9:57 a.m. — Team pregame video is playing on the main board, but neither team is on the field for warmups at this time
9:55 a.m. — OK, maybe I’m not quite as awake as I’d like to claim, since every post to this point said "p.m."
9:53 p.m. — Game clock is running, now down to 70 minutes to kickoff.
9:43 p.m. — No worries from the 100 minute meeting.
9:30 p.m. — Not a lot of traffic outside the stadium, so an easy drive in today for fans.
9:18 p.m. –Razorback specialists are strolling around field, the students are filing in and the Auburn cheerleaders are posing for a picture on field
9:00 p.m. — Students are streaming in, not so many shirtless body paintings today.
8:35 p.m. — Skies are clearing and I think we’ll get to see the Silver Wings jump in the game ball today.
8:20 p.m. — Want to try to milk a cow? The Southwest Dairy Farmer’s Mobile Classroom is set up next to Walton Arena today — including the milking simulator. The farmer’s group is also sponsoring a life-size Big Red mascot grow chart. Got one for my youngest, and she thought that was way cool.
8:11 a.m. — Hey, this is an impressive start on the blog for an 11 a.m. game. And this is before morning joe in the press box.
8:10 a.m. — And, for celebrity spotting, current LPGA player and former Razorback women’s golfer Stacy Lewis was in the house last night at Barnhill for volleyball’s five-set thrilling win over Alabama.
8:09 a.m. — Speaking of videos, former Razorback men’s golfer and PGA legend John Daly will be outside the stadium today taping segments for his new reality show set to air on the Golf Channel.
8:07 a.m. — Last night after 10 p.m., Razorback men’s basketball coach John Pelphrey brought free pizzas to the students who were camping out for the best seats at today’s game. Watch the video from the tallest pizza guy in Fayetteville’s delivery by clicking on the link at the top of the blog.
8:03 a.m. — Rise and shine Razorback fans. We’re only 57 minutes from the gates opening at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Get your coffee and head to the field.
