FAYTETTEVILLE- After a big road win at Florida last weekend, the Arkansas Razorbacks return home to host the Auburn Tigers on Saturday at Donald W. Reynolds Razorbacks Stadium.
The Hogs must defeat Auburn to remain in contention for bowl eligibility. A win on Saturday would improve Arkansas’s record to four wins with games remaining with FIU and Missouri at home.
Here are some game notes to preview Saturday’s game with Auburn as released by the University of Arkansas:
AUBURN TIGERS (5-4, 2-4 SEC)
AP/Coaches: NR/NR
Head Coach: Hugh Freeze (Southern Miss, ‘92)
Career Record: 80-52 (13th season)
Record at Auburn: 5-4 (1st season)
ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS (3-6, 1-5 SEC)
AP/Coaches: NR/NR
Head Coach: Sam Pittman (Pittsburg State, ‘86)
Career Record: 22-23 (4th season)
Record at Arkansas: Same
- After snapping a six-game losing streak by earning their first-ever win against Florida in Gainesville, the Hogs make their return to the friendly confines of Donald W. Reynolds
Razorback Stadium for a three-game homestand to close out the 2023 regular season. Kickoff between Arkansas and Auburn is set for 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, on SEC Network. - This weekend’s meeting (Nov. 11) between the Razorbacks and Tigers is the latest that the two programs have squared off since 1984, when Arkansas and Auburn clashed for the
first time in history in the Liberty Bowl on Dec. 27. - QB KJ Jefferson has completed 163-of-250 passes (65.2%) for 1,802 yards and 16 touchdowns while also rushing for 292 yards and two touchdowns through nine games this season. The three-time Razorback captain turned in a three-touchdown performance in the Hogs’ win at Florida (Nov. 4), throwing for a pair of touchdowns and adding a score on the ground. Jefferson, who ranks first on Arkansas’ career touchdown responsibility list with 85 (64 passing touchdowns, 21 rushing touchdowns), is just one passing touchdown away from the outright school record.
- RB Raheim “Rocket” Sanders looked like his old self in the win at Florida (Nov. 4), rushing for a season-high 103 yards on 18 carries (5.7 ypc) to become Arkansas’ first 100-yard rusher of the 2023 campaign. Sanders, who has missed five of the Razorbacks’ nine games due to injury,
has totaled 194 yards and two touchdowns on the ground to go along with nine receptions for 72 yards this season. - WR Andrew Armstrong has solidified himself as QB KJ Jefferson’s go-to receiver this season, leading the Hogs with 46 receptions for 623 yards and four touchdowns through nine games. The Texas A&M-Commerce transfer, who is in his first year at Arkansas, has at least three catches in all nine of the Razorbacks’ games this season and has recorded at least one catch in 25 consecutive games dating back to his 2021 campaign at TAMUC.
- LB Jaheim Thomas is the SEC’s fourth-leading tackler this season, racking up 79 total stops with 6.5 tackles for loss, including 3.5 sacks. The transfer from Cincinnati has recorded a team-leading five double-digit tackle games this year and has six double-digit tackle games for his career.
- Note to Our Readers: Portions of this story were sourced directly from the University of Arkansas Office of Communications, Kyle Parkinson.
