QUARTERBACKS

Arkansas quarterback Mitch Mustain played a large role in winning Saturday’s game by not making any mistakes. He only threw 10 passes, but completed seven, including a huge 50-yard touchdown to Marcus Monk, and wasn’t intercepted. Mustain looked confident and comfortable controlling the huddle in the second half, when he completed the only two passes he threw. Mustain said it was the best he has felt on the field all season. Auburn quarterback Brandon Cox was 17 for 29 for ™ yards, but missed several open receivers and lost 42 yards by taking five sacks.
ADVANTAGE Arkansas

RUNNING BACKS

The Razorbacks piled up 279 yards on 45 attempts. Darren Mc-Fadden (who will take over the SEC rushing lead ) gained 145 yards and Felix Jones 104 yards, and completely controlled the game. McFadden broke a 63-yard run for a crucial touchdown late in the first half. Kenny Irons, was held to 75 yards, about 35 fewer than his SEC-leading season average coming into the game.
ADVANTAGE Arkansas

RECEIVERS

The Tigers get the nod here by default, as Arkansas receivers caught only two passes (the other five completions were screen passes to running backs ). Now, Marcus Monk’s 50-yard touchdown catchand-run was a key play, but so was Auburn receiver Rodgeriqus Smith’s diving, 24-yard touchdown catch when it happened. The Tigers receivers had 13 receptions, and no drops.
ADVANTAGE Auburn

OFFENSIVE LINE

Arkansas absolutely dominated the line of scrimmage behind the front five of Tony Ugoh, Stephen Parker, Jonathan Luigs, Robert Felton and Zac Tubbs. Arkansas ran the ball 30 times in the second half — when Auburn knew the Razorbacks were going to run the ball — and still Arkansas’ offensive line opened holes and kept drives alive. It was easily the line’s best game of the season.
ADVANTAGE Arkansas

DEFENSIVE LINE

Perhaps inspired by their offensive counterparts, the Razorbacks’ defensive line also turned in their best performance of the season. Arkansas had 11 tackles for a loss, including 5 sacks. Ernest Mitchell, starting for injured Marcus Harrison, had a sack and 1 tackle for a loss, and Jamaal Anderson constantly disrupted Auburn plays. The Tigers got pressure on Mitch Mustain a couple of times, but never sacked him and had trouble against the run all game.
ADVANTAGE Arkansas

LINEBACKERS

For the first time this season, the Razorbacks started the same three linebackers in the same positions for a second consecutive game, and the consistency paid off. Arkansas was led in tackling by strongside linebacker Matt Hewitt, and Sam Olajubutu had another typically solid game. The Razorbacks linebackers played a key role in keeping Kenny Irons, the SEC rushing leader, in check. Auburn’s linebackers are fast, but Arkansas’ punishing running game wore down the entire Tigers defense in the second half.
ADVANTAGE Arkansas

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Auburn’s secondary never really was tested, but failed the one time Arkansas threw deep. Cornerback Jonathan Wilhite got turned around in 1-on-1 coverage and fell down to allow Marcus Monk to score a 50-yard touchdown. Arkansas safety Randy Kelly allowed Rodgeriqus Smith to get behind him for a 24-yard touchdown catch, but the Razorbacks ’ secondary was solid otherwise. Poor accuracy from Tigers quarterback Brandon Cox might have aided Arkansas’ cover men, but the bottom line is the Razorbacks didn’t give up any big plays, and Auburn did.
ADVANTAGE Arkansas

SPECIAL TEAMS

Whatever Auburn punter Kody Bliss was trying to do in the third quarter didn’t work. The roll-out punt went 19 yards and Arkansas scored its third touchdown soon after. Jeremy Davis has solidified his spot as Arkansas’ placekicker after kicking 34- and 22-yard field goals, and going 3 for 3 on extra points. Razorbacks punter Jacob Skinner averaged 45. 3 yards on three punts, two of which were downed inside the 20.
ADVANTAGE Arkansas