Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

AUBURN, Ala. — This was the performance that Arkansas players envisioned.

This was the end result they had in mind as the losses piled up. Arkansas was picturing how the games were supposed to go but seeing something totally different on the field.

They felt they were much better than what they’d shown over a month of poor execution and weeks of losing. And it all came together for the Razorbacks on Saturday in a 24-7 victory at Auburn.

“We always see ourselves as the team we have been in the past,” safety Ross Rasner said. “Guys here aren’t used to losing. We aren’t used to practicing like we’re losers. We know we’re not. Today we really came out and we showed the team that we always see ourselves as.”

For a few stretches on Saturday the Razorbacks didn’t look that far removed from the 21-5 record of the past two seasons. They made plays on defense, getting eight sacks and forcing five turnovers. They mixed the run and pass effectively as they picked up their first SEC victory.

Arkansas had been outscored 110-10 in league games against Alabama and at Texas A&M.

Sure, the Tigers (1-4, 0-3) had a lot to do with the Hogs' success Saturday. They’re struggling at a level below where even the Razorbacks were in the midst of their four-game losing streak.

Auburn couldn’t protect its quarterback. The Tigers couldn’t hold onto the football. There was no flow on offense. This looked every bit like a team that entered last in the league in major offensive categories and near the bottom of the SEC on defense, too.

"I apologize to anybody who came to the game to watch it,” Tigers Coach Gene Chizik said.

Chizik’s disappointment was the sort felt by the Razorbacks over the course of a four-game losing streak. They had nothing but good things to say after getting a win for the first time since the season opener against Jacksonville State.

Arkansas still has a long way to go to make the postseason. There are still injuries to contend with and inconsistencies on both side of the football. But beating Auburn provided plenty of hope with hapless Kentucky and the bye week ahead.

It’s too early to tell if this is the start of an upward trend. But the Razorbacks found a brush pile to soften the landing of what has otherwise been a motorcycle crash of a season.

“I commend the guys for coming in and wanting to be good, wanting to win and wanting to work hard because it’s easy to lay down,” quarterback Tyler Wilson said. “I’m happy with the way our guys responded.”