AUBURN, Ala. -- An Arkansas native and former Razorback assistant head coach presided Saturday night over the destruction of his state university's football team.
Auburn unveiled a balanced offense -- running and passing, 28 points in each half -- and crushed Bret Bielema's Razorbacks 56-3 at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Gus Malzahn's Tigers, benefiting from a week off, imporved to 5-2 while Arkansas goes into its bye week 5-3 before a November stretch including nationally ranked Florida and LSU. Arkansas' two previous losses, to Texas A&M and Alabama, also came against Southeastern Conference opponents.
Arkansas managed only a 54-yard field goal by Adam McFain as the first half ended. Ty Storey relieved injured starter Austin Allen at one point and finished the game with the issue beyond redemption for the Razorbacks.
Auburn set the tone in a 21-point first quarter, Eli Stove running 70 yards for a touchdown with four minutes gone. Kamryn Pettway ran nine yards and Stanton Truitt 20 yards for a 21-0 lead.
Sean White, one of three quarterbacks Malzahn rotated in the team's opening loss to Clemson, passed 45 yards to Truitt for a second-quarter touchdown. White went over from the one and Pettway ran 23 yards for third-quarter touchdowns. Truitt went up the middle for 31 yards and his third touchdown with 12:25 to play and Martin burst 51 yards for the 56-3 lead with 4:27 remaining.
Late in the game, Arkansas had been outgained 621-215 overall and 532-25 on the ground. Pettway had 192 yards and Stove 94 to lead the Tigers' rushing attack.
Sports on 10/23/2016