GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Arkansas’ special teams have been horrific this season, and the Razorbacks showed no improvement in that area against Auburn. The Razorbacks allowed a 48-yard punt return that set up Auburn’s first touchdown, then allowed a partially blocked punt that the Tigers returned to the Arkansas 9 to set up another touchdown. After the Razorbacks kicked a field goal to pull within 17-3 early in the third quarter, Auburn’s Noah Igbinoghene returned the ensuing kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown. Arkansas coach Chad Morris said he was “very disappointed” in the special teams performance. “The amount of emphasis we place on special teams around here, and to put the production out that we did was unacceptable,” Morris said. Morris said Arkansas may use some offensive and defensive starters on special teams Saturday against Texas A&M.
DRAFT SLANT
–LB De’Jon Harris (6-0, 244 pounds) had five tackles against Auburn, including 1.5 for lost yardage.
ROSTER REPORT:
–WR Jonathan Nance announced that he will redshirt the remainder of the season and plans to transfer from Arkansas in December. The move follows an NCAA rule change that allows players to participate in up to four games and still be able to redshirt if they haven’t done so before. Nance came to Arkansas as a junior college transfer in 2017 and led the Razorbacks with 37 receptions for 539 yards and five touchdowns. He has started all four games for Arkansas this season, but has just one reception for minus-2 yards.
–RB Devwah Whaley, a junior from Beaumont, Texas, left last Saturday’s game against Auburn after taking a hard hit on a running play midway through the third quarter and did not return. Coach Chad Morris said Whaley’s status is day-to-day leading into Saturday’s game against Texas A&M but did not give specifics about Whaley’s injury. Whaley is Arkansas’ leading rusher this season with 231 yards and 2 touchdowns on 53 carries. He has 1,392 yards and 12 rushing touchdowns during his career at Arkansas.
–RB T.J. Hammonds, a junior from Little Rock, Ark., who did not make the trip to Auburn after suffering a thigh bruise in practice last week, has returned to practice. Hammonds has run for 22 yards on seven carries this season.
===========