Auburn dropped its SEC opener to Arkansas on Saturday, but coach Hugh Freeze says the result would be different if they played the game again. Freeze believes he had the better team last weekend, but Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek begs to differ.
The Tigers turned the ball over five times in a 24-14 loss that included sloppy offense on both sides. Auburn did outgain Arkansas, 431-334, despite running 22 fewer plays. Because of that efficiency, Freeze maintains his team would win that game more often than not.
"We've got to get them to where the winning ways are happening on critical downs," Freeze said on the "Tiger Talk" podcast. "I mean no offense whatsoever to Arkansas or to Cal. I love Sam Pittman. I hope he wins the rest of his games, but I'm telling you the hard truth is that if we play them nine more times, we beat them nine times. That's what's hard to take. It's hard for our fans. It's certainly hard for us."
As you might expect, those comments didn't go over well in Fayetteville. Yurachek saw the quote on social media and shared his reaction.
— Hunter Yurachek (@HunterYurachek) September 24, 2024
The official Arkansas football social media team also got in on the fun, posting a video of Jayden Johnson intercepting Auburn starting quarterback Hank Brown.
That’s a pick nine times out of nine for @jj4x_ 🤫 pic.twitter.com/mcpmapsmfw
— Arkansas Razorback Football (@RazorbackFB) September 24, 2024
The Tigers did find some success moving the ball through the air, but the Razorbacks defense forced five turnovers, including four interceptions. Brown, after getting the starting nod against New Mexico just a week earlier, was benched following three first-half interceptions.
Freeze turned the reins of the offense back over to veteran Payton Thorne, who gave the team a spark, but he threw a critical third-quarter interception when his pass caromed off the fingertips of receiver Cam Coleman.
The Tigers will try to bounce back this weekend when No. 21 Oklahoma visits Jordan-Hare Stadium.