Greetings, from a chilly Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. I'll be blogging up until kickoff, giving updates as we go.Best sight coming in: a truck that had an actual live hog in the back, above which there was a platform for cheerleaders and mascots to stand on. I couldn't get my camera out in time, but as it began its journey around the city, it kind of hit the curb and throttled the cheerleaders and mascot to the side of the railing. The hog seemed unaffected.
As for game information, all I have so far is that RG Byron Isom has made the trip. He's been suspended the last two games for a violation of team rules but was with the players as they stepped onto the field in warmup outfits this morning. I'll have more later.
9:55 a.m.: Oh, you want some facts about the game. Well, I've got plenty for you ...
- Auburn has won on its last three trips to Arkansas, in 2007 (9-7), 2005 (34-17) and 2003 (10-3). The Tigers are 5-3 in Fayetteville all-time.
- Auburn leads the all-time series 10-7-1.
- Gene Chizik has won 20 consecutive games as a member of Auburn's staff (five this year, and 15 straight to finish his time as defensive coordinator back in 2004).'
- Only two other Tigers coaches have won their first five games at Auburn: Terry Bowden (1993-94) and Mike Donahue (1904).
- Auburn is fifth nationally in scoring (41.4), total offense (512.8 ypg) and rushing offense (253.8).
- Auburn has scored 207 point this year. That's one less than it did all of last year. (And yes, this was incorrect in my story today. The media guide has the score from the LSU game wrong, so my math came up five points short).
- The Tigers have scored in every quarter this season (can't imagine that changing today), getting touchdowns in 17 of 20 quarters.
- Auburn is tied for fourth nationally in turnover margin (+1.6) and tied for seventh in interceptions (8).
- The Tigers have trailed in four of five games this year. The lone exception was Tennessee.
- Arkansas has the third toughest schedule in the country so far, having played Georgia, Alabama and Texas A&M.
- The Hogs are seventh nationally and first in the SEC in passing offense (329.2 ypg).They are fourth in the SEC in both total offense (441.0 ypg) and scoring offense (35.8 ppg).
- Arkansas is pretty bad on defense, but the Razorbacks have averaged 7.8 tackles for a loss, the seventh best mark in the nation.
10:19 update: Freeman does not appear to have made the trip. He's not in the stretching line. That leaves Auburn with four scholarship linebackers -- Herring, Josh Bynes, Craig Stevens and Jonathan Evans. Walk-ons Wade Christopher and Ashton Richardson are also on the trip.
10:21 update: WR/PR Phillip Pierre-Louis is also here. Not sure if he'll return punts today or if it will be Anthony Gulley.
10:30 update: Isom is working with the first team at RG in warmups. I suspect he'll start.
10:38 update: Arkansas WR Joe Adams will not play for medical reasons. He leads the team with 16 receptions and 316 yards.
10:58 update: It's 45 degrees for kickoff. Brrrrrrrrrr.
11:01 update: I have not seen PR Anthony Gulley on the sideline. He got dinged up last week.
2 comments:
Well...we didn't show up for the first half...many mistakes in the game. Turnovers, miscues, special teams and offense was no where to be found til the 2nd half. All that being said hopefully we'll get back on track against Kentucky. I know many people will be upset about the game...those who expected a 9 or 10 win season were dreaming. War Eagle
The guys were still asleep. After playing night games, a slow start could be expected on the road.
I hate the fact that TV determines the start times of games. 11am start on the road?
OK, all that whining aside, 5-1 is still pretty dang good. The team doesn't have a lot of depth, is pretty young, and has a new coaching staff. Gonna take a year or two to build up the depth and gain some experience. I am satisfied with the team so far this year.
War Eagle!
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