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From @DanielFair

It was a homecoming of sorts for Arkansas defensive coordinator Travis Williams on Saturday, and he made the most of it by calling a near-perfect game for the Razorback defense.

The Arkansas Razorbacks (3-1, 1-0 SEC) forced five turnovers on the Auburn Tigers (2-2, 0-1 SEC) in a 24-14 win — four interceptions and a fumble — which stifled the Tigers' offense for most of the night.

Altogether, Auburn gained 431 throughout the game, 285 of which came through the air and 146 of them coming on the ground, but the turnovers the Razorbacks forced kept the Auburn offense out of the endzone for much the game.

"We needed every one of them," Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman said after the game. "Sometimes they come in bunches ... If you go back and you look at it, not every interception, but a lot of them, it's about the pressure, the hit. It's something. Guys standing back there for a while, you don't really get them. So we were covering them well, but I felt like we got more pressure on the quarterback than what we had our first three games."

It's hard to talk about the Arkansas defense on Saturday without mentioning who engineered that unit for four quarters. Williams likely had some extra juice coming into the matchup, when you consider he spent 12 years at Auburn, whether that be as a player, graduate assistant or a coach.

"I know he's got a love for Auburn but I know that win was big for him," Pittman said. "It had to be. The game plan, I went back and forth in there several times this week and went 'Hey now, we're going to make that quarterback beat us, we're going to make that quarterback beat us, we're going to make that quarterback beat us.' It wasn't exactly how I thought he was going to make the quarterback beat us. I thought they did a wonderful job."

In a video posted to social media after the game, Pittman delivered the game ball to Williams, something he said he's never done before.

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"I have never given a game ball (to a coach), but I gave one to coach T-Will tonight," Pittman said on the radio after the game. "You know, he’s an Auburn grad, and as well as they played — five turnovers, TJ Metcalf was incredible. Two interceptions and a forced fumble. They played extremely hard, extremely disciplined."

Metcalf, a Birmingham, Alabama, native who intercepted two passes and forced a critical fumble that kept Auburn from scoring a touchdown in the second quarter, said the defense played extra hard for Williams, who just welcomed his fourth child into the world last week.

RELATED: TJ Metcalf lives up to heralded last name against Auburn

"We love our coach, so we had to come in here and make a statement," Metcalf said. "We just wanted to go in there and get the win for him. So I know it means a lot to him, him just having a baby girl and him coming back to his alma mater where he played at, I know he wanted to come in here and get this win. So we all just came together like, ‘We gotta do this for him,’ and that’s what we did."

Saturday's win is a stark contrast to last season's matchup, when the Tigers walked into Razorback Stadium and delivered a 48-10 blowout to the Hogs that removed them from bowl contention.

It's also the first time since 2006-08 that Arkansas has won twice in a row at Jordan-Hare Stadium, as Arkansas knocked off the Tigers in 2022 and again Saturday.

"We just talked about it, and we weren’t going to have that feeling in our mouth anymore," Metcalf said. "We came in with a chip on our shoulder. We all had the right mindset, after the game, we were going to go in the locker room and celebrate, and that’s what we did."

With their first SEC win of the season under their belt, all eyes will turn to Arlington, Texas, where the Razorbacks will play Texas A&M on Saturday. Pittman said the win over Auburn gives them confidence moving forward for the rest of the season.

"It gives you a shot in the arm, it makes you feel good," Pittman said. "It makes practicing a little bit easier. But just because I believe that we’ve got a really good team and can win on the road, you have to go do it."

Kickoff against the Aggies is set for 2:30 p.m. CT inside AT&T Stadium and will air on ESPN.

Thought I better say that as soon as possible

It’ll be at 2:30 p.m. CT on ESPN

Some social media fan post highlights from today's game...

First Quarter:​

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Second Quarter:​

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Third Quarter:​

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Fourth Quarter:​

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CLICK HERE FOR ALL FAN REACTIONS FROM SOCIAL MEDIA

(photo credit: Braeden Botts)

In all four of Arkansas' games so far this season, the Razorbacks have looked like the better team. While a Week 2 loss at Oklahoma State didn't show they were better in the final score, the Razorbacks (3-1, 1-0 SEC) did prove they were the superior squad against the Auburn Tigers (2-2, 0-1 SEC) during Saturday's 24-14 road victory at Jordan-Hare Stadium to open conference play.

One season removed from suffering a crushing 48-10 loss to Hugh Freeze and the Tigers at Razorback Stadium, the Hogs returned the favor behind an elite defensive performance for defensive coordinator Travis Williams' group.

ALSO READ: Social media reacts to Arkansas' 24-14 win over Auburn

While the Tigers did outgain Arkansas in total yardage, 431-334, it was five turnovers forced, three sacks and seven tackles for loss by the defense that stood out in the final stats.

"Really proud of our team," head coach Sam Pittman said postgame. "I thought it was a complete team win. We struggled more offensively at times, then at times we looked really good. Defensively, you take away the one big play on fourth and 3, I don't know that we could've played a whole lot better than what we did. Lot of turnovers. TJ Metcalf had two picks, hustled down the sideline to force the fumble there. What a wonderful game he had.

"We told 74 guys we're going to go win. We've got a better team. I don't mean that cocky or anything, just felt like we could come in here and win. Those things are easier said than done. Defense, Coach Williams and those guys had them playing lights out."

Pittman said he gave Williams the game ball in the postgame locker room. Williams and his wife, Jeanine, recently welcomed their fourth child into the world.

Coming off a 37-27 win over UAB in which they didn't look impressive in any facet of the game, the Razorbacks had a plan for success Saturday against the Tigers. While things didn't go flawlessly — the Razorbacks had two turnovers of their own — the Hogs exacted revenge on an Auburn team that embarrassed them a year ago.

"You know, we just talked about it, and we weren’t going to have that feeling in our mouth anymore," TJ Metcalf said postgame. "We came in with a chip on our shoulder. We all had the right mindset, after the game, we were going to go in the locker room and celebrate, and that’s what we did."

RELATED: TJ Metcalf lives up to heralded last name against Auburn

Pittman once again mentioned postgame the confidence he's had in this year's squad since the spring. With six games remaining on the schedule against teams currently ranked in the AP Top 25, the Razorbacks still have plenty of work to do, but Saturday produced a rewarding feeling.

"I think we were a pretty confident team, you know, but this will certainly help us," Pittman said. "And Auburn is Auburn, and Jordan-Hare is Jordan-Hare, and to come in here and forget about two years ago and forget about last year. You know? When you do it, it's special. I'm sure it was for them last year and very, very special for us today."

The Razorbacks must clean things up on offense, specifically in the passing game. Quarterback Taylen Green was just 12-of-27 passing with 151 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, but he also added 18 carries for a game-high 80 rushing yards.

Backup Malachi Singleton did come in for one drive, but Pittman clarified postgame that it was due to Green having cramps.

"There were so many third downs and big plays where (Green) ran outside of them to make a first down," Pittman said on postgame radio. "I can remember over, and over when he got outside the pocket yelling, ‘Run! Run! Run!’ Because we knew he could move the chains he did a wonderful job there.

"He didn’t play his best game. We’re waiting on that, but I’ll tell you what he is a winner. When the times get tough, it’s just like last week. He’s going to make a play and that’s what he did. He made several of them and did last week as well."

VIDEO: Postgame press conferences - Arkansas 24, Auburn 14

In the same breath that he said the team has a meeting with Texas A&M next weekend, Pittman also said the win over Auburn gives his team a "shot in the arm."

"It makes you feel good," Pittman said. "It makes practicing a little bit easier. But just because I believe that we’ve got a really good team and can win on the road, you have to go do it. I don’t want to put last year or 9-4 season, I don’t want to put any of them together. I just want to play this season.

"We’re 3-1 and lost in double overtime to Oklahoma State and we all know we had our chances there. And then we’ll go. I think what it does, it lets our recruits know we can go on the road and win in the SEC. We’re 1-0 and we’re tied for the top and that’s a big deal."

Up next, Arkansas will head to Arlington, Texas, for a matchup against the No. 25 Texas A&M Aggies. That game will kick off at either 2:30 or 3:15 p.m. CT at AT&T Stadium.

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Sophomore safety TJ Metcalf, a native of Alabama, lived up to his last name's reputation with a breakout performance in Arkansas' (3-1, 1-0 SEC) 24-14 SEC victory over Auburn on Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama.

With starting cornerback Jaylon Braxton and versatile safety Hudson Clark out for the Razorbacks' conference opener, Metcalf stepped up in a big way by delivering four total tackles, two interceptions, two pass breakups and a forced fumble.

Metcalf's defensive dominance was reminiscent of games that his cousin and current Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf was known for at Ole Miss. With the Rebels, DK caught 67 passes for 1,228 yards and 14 touchdowns from 2016-18.

It's safe to say that football talent runs deep in the Metcalf blood, as TJ was a big reason why the Razorbacks began conference play with a win.

"Well, he practices hard, him and his brother (Tevis Metcalf)," head coach Sam Pittman said after the game. "They come from very strong parent athletic backgrounds, as you well know. He's just a great kid and he wants to be good. I'm just so happy that things are going his way.

"I guess that's three picks in two games now. He works hard, he's a very good tackler. Physical guy, and he's earned the respect more and more from his teammates. I know we damn sure believe in him."

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Metcalf — who now has 25 total tackles, three interceptions and five defended passes on the year — became the first Razorback since Kenoy Kennedy in 1999 to record two interceptions, one forced fumble and two pass breakups in a single game.

Playing in front of his friends and family back in his home state, Metcalf said the game against Auburn was personal because the Tigers didn't offer him coming out of Pinson Valley High School in Birmingham, Alabama.

"It was just amazing, (my family) being able to come support me and my brother," Metcalf said after the game. "I know that’s big for my family. Even last year when we played Alabama and Ole Miss, I had the same amount of people come."

For an Arkansas program that has struggled at the safety position in recent years, Metcalf's spotlight showing gleams light on a promising future in the Hogs' defensive backend.

"(TJ) played tremendous," tackle Fernando Carmona Jr. said after the game. "I kind of knew this was coming from the summer. I just saw the way he worked. I tried to be the first one there and him and his brother were already in the indoor doing some type of drills.

"They were always working, and I think it showed today, man. Two picks and a forced fumble. Hard work really does pay off, and he worked his tail off all offseason and it’s starting to show and people are starting to see."

Up next, Arkansas will head to Arlington, Texas, for a matchup against the No. 25 Texas A&M Aggies. That game will kick off at either 2:30 or 3:15 p.m. CT at AT&T Stadium.

Highlights from the win today, enjoy!

https://youtu.be/3drZErCKqyM?si=OtnyO8CRH61Lm2EU

We are less than two hours out from the Arkansas Razorbacks (2-1, 0-0 SEC) taking on the Auburn Tigers (2-1, 0-0 SEC) at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama.

The Razorbacks are currently a 2.5-point underdog (BetSaracen) against the Tigers. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. CT on ESPN.

Live stats, commentary, updates and notes in this thread.

Am I crazy to think this is finally the Luke Hasz game? It's gotta come at some point...

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Will Bobby make the swap ? Green is a one trick pony

We win today and this day goes down as the beginning of a great run in Arkansas football history.


But




I could be wrong

Have any of you NWA guys seen CJ O’Grady around town. I don’t think he’s doing well. He probably really needs some mental health support. Does the Universty do anything for past players? Sad thing at this point is that he has to pose a threat to self or others to be forced to get treatment. Can’t force an adult to seek treatment. Sad deal.
O’Grady

Today. First pitch – 3 p.m.

Starters – LHP Zach Root & RHP Gabe Gaeckle

All scrimmages are open to the public.

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The Arkansas Razorbacks (2-1, 0-0 SEC) are set to play the Auburn Tigers (2-1, 0-0 SEC) at 2:30 p.m. CT Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama.

After narrowly defeating UAB at home last week, 37-27, the Hogs will look to start fast in conference play against a relatively "weak" Auburn team compared to the rest of Arkansas' schedule. Auburn overcame an ugly first-half performance to beat New Mexico, 45-19, a week ago at home.

Arkansas is a 3.5-point underdog against the Tigers (BetSaracen). The last time these two teams faced each other was last season, when the Razorbacks were handily defeated by the Tigers in Fayetteville, 48-10.

Here is how the HawgBeat staff is predicting Saturday's game, which will be broadcast on ESPN:

Mason Choate - Publisher​

Aside from the game at Mississippi State later in the season, this is likely going to be the Razorbacks’ best shot at a road conference win — or maybe any conference victory — all year. Auburn is off to a shaky start, which was made clear by a change to a redshirt freshman quarterback after just the second game, which was a home loss to California.

Sam Pittman has lost on his home field two years in a row to Hugh Freeze. I’d venture to guess that Pittman is well aware of that, and that his team knows too. You’d like to think they’ve taken it personally, especially after Freeze’s Tigers laid it on with a 48-10 win last year. We don’t even need to get into the recruiting battles these two teams have been in.

This game has all the makings for another one-score loss for the Razorbacks with the opportunity to blame it on something like not having two key defensive backs available in Jaylon Braxton and Hudson Clark. As much as I’d like to predict the Razorbacks to keep the trend of the road team winning this matchup for the fourth year in a row (fifth if you think Bo Nix fumbled), they haven’t proved they can consistently win one-score games, which is what this will more than likely end up being.

Auburn 35, Arkansas 31

Riley McFerran - Managing Editor​

Does Arkansas — and more importantly, Sam Pittman — have to win this game to have success the rest of the season? Technically no, but a defeat will drastically lower the excitement from fans and could potentially have a ripple effect across the roster in terms of team buy-in.

Much like BYU a year ago, this game serves as a jumping-off point for the Razorbacks to garner momentum and keep the positive vibes flowing ahead of a monstrous October. But, how exactly will it play out?

In my mind, the key battles are between Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green and Auburn's SEC-caliber defensive line, and redshirt freshman pass-first Tigers' signal caller Hank Brown and the Razorbacks' injury-laden secondary.

Green was less-than-steller in the pass game a week ago, but the talent gap between the Hogs and Blazers allowed the dual-threat weapon to get yards with his legs. Things won't necessarily come as easy against Auburn, as the Tigers have talented defenders like pass-rusher Keldrick Faulk, nose tackle Isaiah Raikes and linebacker Eugene Asante.

As for the other side of the coin, significant secondary contributors like Jaylon Braxton and Hudson Clark were listed as "out" for Arkansas in the latest SEC availability report, which doesn't bode well against a quarterback who's more comfortable sitting in the pocket. Now would be the time for Landon Jackson and the Hogs' pass-rush to break through this season.

This game is a coin flip. Both teams destroyed their Week 1 opponent, both lost in disappointing fashion in Week 2 and both lucked out with ugly victories in Week 3. The difference here lies with Jordan-Hare Stadium, where weird things always seem to happen and non-power-house road teams usually come up short.

A missed field goal in the closing seconds sends Arkansas home 0-1 in SEC play.

Auburn 30, Arkansas 28

Daniel Fair - Football Recruiting Analyst​

After a heartbreaker against Oklahoma State and a dud against UAB, the Razorbacks need some positive momentum to start SEC play. At the same time, Auburn hasn’t had the season fans were hoping for, with a loss to Cal at home that led to quarterback Peyton Thorne being benched for redshirt freshman Hank Brown.

Last season’s matchup likely left a bad taste in Arkansas’ mouth, as it was a 48-10 blowout at Razorback Stadium with the Tigers offense doing whatever it wanted to the Razorbacks.

Ultimately, I think this game is decided by one score, and until the Hogs show me they can win one of those, I’m not picking them.

Auburn 31, Arkansas 27

Jackson Collier - Basketball Recruiting Analyst​

The conference opener for the Razorbacks once again comes on the road, this time at Auburn. Eight of the last 10 conference openers for the Razorbacks have come away from Fayetteville, although the Arkansas football team has not played great at home of late, anyway.

This game marks a pivotal point of the season for the team and for head coach Sam Pittman. Oklahoma State was a major opportunity for Pittman and the team to set up positive momentum for the season and secure his job status a bit, but ultimately they failed in a double-overtime loss. Saturday against Auburn is as close to a must-win as it gets.

A loss would drop the Razorbacks to 2-2 (0-1 SEC), so technically there would be plenty of games left to right the ship, but looking ahead at the schedule, a loss to the Tigers would make finding four more wins to achieve bowl eligibility increasingly difficult.

Arkansas has a solid offense, a very good ground game, and an inconsistent defense. The team has played very well in spurts, closing the UAB game on a 34-10 run or jumping out to a 21-7 lead on Oklahoma State, but it has also played incredibly poor in spurts.

What this game will come down to is the Razorbacks' ability to finish drives on both sides of the ball and control the line of scrimmage. I'll give Arkansas the advantage to control the offensive line of scrimmage, but the defensive line remains a question mark at this point of the season despite the talent.

Untimely penalties and turnovers will have to be avoided to come away with a win at Jordan-Hare, and I think the team squeaks by with a victory after leaning heavily on the run game and controlling time of possession.

Arkansas 31, Auburn 27

Kevin Bohannon - Baseball Recruiting Analyst​

The Hogs survived UAB last weekend. That statement doesn’t exude confidence when going on the road for your first SEC game a week later.

Arkansas has the better team, in my opinion, but the better team doesn’t always win in college football. Freeze will look to exploit some matchups in an injury-depleted secondary while Arkansas offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino will look to get quarterback Taylen Green confidence early with short quick passes and roll outs.

This game is simple when you look at the Hogs’ bowl chances, they must win this game. It’s unfortunate in saying that in the first conference game of the year but that’s where this program is right now. Hogs win a close one.

Arkansas 27, Auburn 24

RECORDS (Overall, Against the Spread)​

Mason Choate: 3-0 overall, 1-2 ATS
Riley McFerran: 3-0 overall, 1-2 ATS
Daniel Fair: 2-1 overall, 2-1 ATS
Jackson Collier: 2-1 overall, 1-2 ATS
Kevin Bohannon: 2-1 overall, 1-2 ATS

The Arkansas Razorbacks added to their 2026 class with a homegrown product on Thursday, as Fayetteville defensive back Kyndrick Williams announced his pledge.

Williams took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce his decision to stay home.

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The 6-foot--1, 185-pound defensive back most recently took a visit to Arkansas this past weekend for the Razorbacks' home opener against Alabama-Birmingham.

Arkansas extended the offer on July 26 at the Razorbacks' HogWild Hangout recruiting event.

Williams chose Arkansas over just one other offer so far — UNLV, which is coached by former Arkansas defensive coordinator Barry Odom.

Williams' decision puts Arkansas at six commits in the class of 2026, which currently ranks No. 11 in the country according to Rivals.

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Head coach Sam Pittman and his Arkansas Razorbacks (2-1, 0-0 SEC) will look to gain revenge Saturday against the Auburn Tigers (2-1, 0-0 SEC) at Jordan-Hare Stadium after dropping last year's matchup 48-10 in Fayetteville.

Led by second-year head coach Hugh Freeze, the Tigers dominated the Razorbacks a year ago behind a strong performance from quarterback Payton Thorne, but he'll be on the bench Saturday after being replaced by redshirt freshman Hank Brown following a Week 2 loss to California. Brown led the Tigers to a 45-19 win over New Mexico last weekend.

"They threw more RPOs with Brown," Pittman said Monday. "So it’s the same principle, you’re giving it or you’re throwing it. I think with Thorne, a little bit more they gave it, or he kept it. And it killed us last year with him keeping the football. I don’t know what he averaged per run, but it was a bunch. That’s really the difference. I don’t think they changed a whole lot schematically throwing the football with their stops, their go routes or their crossers.

"They ran a little bit more drop-back with (Brown) this past week. I can’t speak for Coach (Hugh Freeze), but I think Thorne was a great threat in running the football. And Brown may be more of a bigger threat throwing it. I mean, he can wing it, now. For his first game to throw four touchdowns, pretty impressive."

On the other side, the Razorbacks are coming off a 37-27 win over UAB, but it wasn't pretty at all. The week prior, Arkansas suffered a tough 39-31 double-overtime loss on the road at Oklahoma State, and it will look for a different result this time around as the away team.

"We’re trying to get healthy," Pittman said Wednesday. "Oklahoma State game beat us up a little bit. We’re trying to get healthy. I think we’ll take a healthier team into Auburn. A lot of respect for them. They beat the heck out of us last year in our building.

"Certainly have a lot of respect for Coach Freeze and the job that he’s done there and throughout his career. We know it’s going to be loud. It’s going to be our first SEC game. So we’re excited. Had a good week of practice so far and excited to go up there."

According to the SEC availability report, Arkansas will be without key defensive backs Jaylon Braxton and Hudson Clark, but starting center Addison Nichols was listed as probably after he played just three snaps against UAB due to an ankle injury.

Below are details on how to watch/stream/listen to Arkansas' game at Auburn, plus more helpful links to content throughout the week and press conferences...

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How to Watch/Listen​

Who: Arkansas Razorbacks (2-1, 0-0 SEC) at Auburn Tigers (2-1, 0-0 SEC)
When: Saturday, Sept. 21 at 2:30 p.m. CT
Where: Jordan-Hare Stadium — Auburn, Alabama
TV/Stream: ESPN/Watch ESPN (Mark Jones, Roddy Jones, Quint Kessenich)
Radio: Learfield Razorback Sports Network(Chuck Barrett, Quinn Grovey and Geno Bell)
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Catch up on HawgBeat's Arkansas football content​

- Arkansas at Auburn: BetSaracen lines, staff picks
- Score Predictions: Arkansas at Auburn
- Arkansas vs Auburn: Fast Facts
- Know the Foe: Gaining Auburn insight with AuburnSports' Bryan Matthews
- HawgBeat Radio: Arkansas at Auburn game preview
- Arkansas football availability report: Auburn week
- Final Scouting Report: Arkansas at Auburn
- Arkansas announces team captains for Auburn game
- Sam Pittman, Hugh Freeze preview Arkansas at Auburn on SEC Teleconference
- Arkansas at Auburn: Star comparison, PFF grades, season stats
- What Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze said about Arkansas
- Latest on Arkansas injuries ahead of Auburn game
- Arkansas entering Auburn game angry
- Arkansas' official depth chart for Auburn game
- VIDEO: Sam Pittman press conference - Auburn preview

The start of the Arkansas Razorbacks' 2024-2025 basketball season is looming, with head coach John Calipari entering his first season leading the program.

Calipari — who left Kentucky after 15 seasons to take over in Fayetteville — brought three transfers from Lexington to bolster his roster this season. One of those players is Adou Thiero, who spent the last two seasons with the Wildcats under Calipari.

Thiero did an interview on 103.7 The Buzz on Thursday and talked about his choice to transfer to Arkansas. Calipari, coupled with a need for a different setting, played heavily into the decision.

“Just the love I was getting from Coach Cal and the staff," Thiero said. "I was able to meet with Cal probably four times in a week in three different states, so that played a big role; and when I got down to the university it was just something different. No downtown, big cities or anything. It was something different and I just felt like I needed something different in my life.”

Thiero added the addition of associate head coach Kenny Payne, who worked on Calipari's staff for 10 years before serving as the head coach at Louisville most recently, factored into his decision.

"From what I heard about him and being with him, he’s a great coach," Thiero said. "I’m glad I made my decision.”

The Razorbacks are now practicing after taking most of August off following summer conditioning, and Thiero said the culture is one of selflessness and hustle.

“We play very fast, that’s what I like most," Thiero said. "We run very unselfish, we all play for each other. That’s what I like the most, because that’s the culture. He enforces that through everybody. It’s just a great style of play.”

For those unfamiliar with Thiero's game, he said he empties the tank every time he's on the floor.

“I leave it all on the floor," Thiero said. "I got out play as hard as I can, do whatever my team needs me to do, block shots, score, distribute.”

Calipari has said multiple times he intends to play a rotation of eight or nine players this coming season, and that roster includes several scoring threats, which Thiero said helps because there's less pressure to be the one to create a bucket. That means he's able to find other ways to contribute to the team.

“Sometimes it's a nice feeling, because you don’t always have to be the one to go get the bucket if you’re tired," Thiero said. "But always finding a way to be able to help the team in other ways, if its not scoring. It’s going to be fun, we all can go score.”

Thiero played in 45 games for Kentucky over the last two seasons, with last season being his most productive. He averaged 7.2 points per game on 49.2% shooting and 31.8% from beyond the arc.

RELATED: Arkansas basketball's 2024-25 schedule nearly complete

Over the summer, Thiero said he has put a point of emphasis on improving his shooting and becoming more of a threat from three which, coupled with his size (6-foot-8, 220 pounds) and athleticism, will give him more opportunities to score off the dribble.

“That will make it harder for defenders to guard me, because they cant just sit back," Thiero said. "When they’re closing out, I can shoot the ball and it’ll go in, so they’ll have to get a hand up and I can beat them off the dribble. With my size, I can get to the rim, finish, with my athleticism I can dunk on somebody.”

The goal for most college athletes is to make it to the professional ranks, whether it be the NBA or basketball overseas. With the introduction of NIL allowing athletes to profit while in college, though, the mindset of being a pro is something Calipari is instilling in his team right now.

“He treats us like pros, he wants us to get into that pro mindset and not that ‘oh we’re in college’ mindset," Thiero said. "It’s none of that. We’re pros, at the end of the day, he wants us to act like pros and have pro habits.”

The Arkansas basketball schedule hasn't been officially released, but HawgBeat has a somewhat clear picture of what it will look like. Right now, it appears the season will start on Nov. 6 with a game against Lipscomb at Bud Walton Arena.

Be sure to stay tuned to HawgBeat for the latest in Arkansas basketball as the season draws closer.

I expected it to be bad after the hiring of Fouch as WR coach but didn't think it could be this bad. Perhaps it ends up being portal or bust again? Should we have confidence that he can do well in the portal. We have one commit in Jordan from Warren. Database only shows 9 offers to uncommitted prospects with ZERO offers out to 2025 WRs in the state of Texas in what I'd consider a better than average year for WR in the state. Totally unacceptable imo but what do I know?

Denton Biller. Was told he was up to 96-97 on the fastball in a fall game recently

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From Arkansas Comms

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FAYETTEVILLE – Tyler Ulis, the 2016 SEC Player of the Year and consensus first team All-American under current Arkansas head coach John Calipari at Kentucky, has joined the Razorback men’s basketball program as a basketball assistant.

Ulis, who had his professional career cut short due to injury from a car accident, returned to Kentucky the past two seasons as a student assistant coach. His duties included all on-court activities including practices, individual workouts and film sessions, while assisting the staff with practice and game-plan preparation. Also, in the summer of 2024, Ulis served as head coach for the Kentucky-based “La Familia” team and led the squad to the TBT semifinal.

While playing at Kentucky, Ulis was one of the most decorated players in the country for the 2015-16 season, his second year with the Wildcats. He earned consensus first team All-American honors – being named to a total of nine All-American teams – and was the SEC Player of the Year. Ulis additionally won the Bob Cousy Award, presented annually to the nation’s top point guard, was the SEC Defensive Player of the Year, tabbed first team All-SEC and was the SEC Tournament MVP. He joined Anthony Davis to be the only player to win the SEC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors in the same season. Ulis additionally was one of four finalists for the Naismith Trophy and one of 10 finalists for the Wooden Award.

On the court, he led the SEC and ranked seventh in the NCAA in assists (with a UK season record of 7.03 assists per game) while dishing out a UK single-season record of 246 helpers on the season. He also ranked sixth in the SEC in scoring (17.3 ppg), second in free throw percentage (.856), third in free throws made (167), seventh in double-doubles (8) and 10th in field goal percentage (.434) while leading the league in minutes (36:48 avg.).

As a freshman, Ulis was named to the 2015 SEC All-Freshman Team as he led the Wildcats and ranked ninth in the SEC in assists (3.6 avg. with a total of 135). Kentucky went 38-1 with its lone loss coming to Wisconsin in the 2015 Final Four.

Despite playing just two seasons, Ulis ranks 10th on the school’s career assist list with 381.

After his sophomore season, Ulis entered the 2016 NBA Draft and was the 34th overall pick (second round) by the Phoenix Suns. He made an impact immediately with the franchise as he earned second team All-NBA Summer League honors. In his first NBA season (2016-17), Ulis averaged 7.3 points and 3.7 assists to finish 14th in the voting for the 10-man NBA All-Rookie team. He played 71 games in his second season (2017-18) with the Suns and averaged 7.8 points and 4.4 assists. In 2018, Ulis was signed by the Chicago Bulls. His final season of professional basketball was 2019-20 with the Stockton Kings.

Ulis was a McDonald’s All-American in 2014, played in the Jordan Brand Classic, named third team USA Today All-American and was a consensus five-star while at Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights, Ill. He was a two-time All-State selection and finished among the top four in the Illinois Mr. Basketball voting twice.

Ulis, a native of Lima, Ohio, is continuing to complete his degree from Kentucky and is expected to graduate this coming December.

ULIS FILE

Born: Jan. 5, 1996, in Southfield, Mich.

Hometown: Chicago, Ill. (Marian Catholic)

Collegiate Playing Career: Kentucky (2014-16)

PLAYING CAREER

2014-16 Kentucky

2016-18 Phoenix Suns

2018 Chicago Bulls

2019-20 Stockton Kings

CAREER HONORS

2016 2nd Rd (34th overall) pick by Phoenix Suns

2016 Consensus All-America

^ 1st Team: Sporting News, Associated Press, USA Today, CBS Sports, Sports Illustrated

^ 2nd Team: NABC, USBWA

2016 Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year

2016 USBWA District Player of the Year

2016 SEC Player of the Year (Coaches/Media)

2016 SEC Defensive Player of the Year

2016 First team All-SEC (Coaches/Media)

2016 SEC All-Defensive Team

2016 SEC Tournament MVP

2016 SEC All-Freshman Team

COACHING CAREER

2021-22 Kentucky (Student Assistant Coach)

2024–pres. Arkansas (Basketball Assistant)

From @JaxCrall

Coming off an ugly 37-27 home victory over the UAB Blazers last weekend, the Arkansas Razorbacks (2-1, 0-0 SEC) will look to begin Southeastern Conference play on a high note Saturday against the Auburn Tigers (2-1, 0-0 SEC) at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama.

This matchup dates all the way back to 1984 with Auburn leading this series 20-12-1. Last year’s game was rough for the Razorbacks, suffered a 48-10 loss to the Tigers and first-year head coach Hugh Freeze. Offensively, Auburn totaled the most first downs, rushing attempts and yards since during Freeze’s short tenure so far.

The last time the Razorbacks went into Auburn, they won 41-27 against a Tigers team that was led by former head coach Bryan Harsin. Interestingly enough, the road team has won this matchup three of the last four times, with the only win for the home team being Auburn’s infamous 2020 victory in the “Bo Nix fumble” game.

Auburn opened its 2024 season taking down Alabama A&M, 73-3, which was the most points Auburn has scored since Freeze was named head coach. In Week 2, California went into a sold-out Jordan-Hare Stadium and pulled off a major upset, 21-14. That loss, which featured quarterback Payton Thorne throwing four interceptions, led to a Week 3 change featuring redshirt freshman Hank Brown getting the start over Thorne.

On Saturday, Brown and company took down the New Mexico Lobos, 45-19. A former 3-star recruit, Brown originally verbally committed to Freeze at Liberty in 2022. Once Freeze made the move to the SEC, Brown signed his letter of intent to the Tigers just a few weeks later. Brown was 17-of-25 passing with four touchdowns on 235 total yards in his first start against New Mexico.

“Their Quarterback they brought in, Brown, had an exceptional game,” head coach Sam Pittman said Monday. “[Brown] had four touchdowns and can really sling the ball.”

Auburn has called for a “Power Stripe Out” from fans in the stands at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. CT Saturday and it will be broadcast on ESPN. Below dives into what we could see from Auburn this weekend including its strengths and weaknesses.

Auburn Resume​

Coach: Hugh Freeze (2nd season)
Offensive Coordinator: Derrick Nix (1st season)
Defensive Coordinator: DJ Durkin (1st season)
2024 Record: 2-1, 0-0 SEC
2023 Record: 6-7, 3-5 SEC

Auburn Depth Chart​

Tale of the Tape​

Going into this season, Auburn fans might not have expected to be 2-1 by this point, let alone having their team captain quarterback on the bench, but here we are.

Historically, Auburn is a successful SEC program with two national championships and eight SEC championships, but they haven't achieved that status since 2013. Since 2020, the Tigers have not won more than six games in a single season, but Auburn fans are witnessing second-year head coach Hugh Freeze creating change. Freeze produced the No. 8 ranked recruiting class in 2024, according to Rivals, and as it stands today the Tigers have the second-ranked 2025 class and the top-ranked 2026 class.

Looking into Auburn’s second and third games of the season, you may be right to assume Freeze made the right choice in changing the starting quarterback. Thorne threw four interceptions in the Week 2 loss against California, and Freeze thought it would be time for a change, which would pay off in Week 3. Freshman Hank Brown looked the part with his strong arm and great poise in the pocket.

​

Auburn Strengths​

The backfield

On offense, it all starts with Auburn’s running back room, specifically 5-foot-10, 209-pound senior Jarquez Hunter.

“I think they want to run the football, they should,” Pittman said. “Hunter is a really good running back and their line is big and physical.”

It’s safe to say Hunter is the biggest workhorse for the Tigers and will have lots of volume Saturday. During his three years with the Tigers, Hunter has done a lot of good for the program, as he has generated a total of 2,445 yards and 19 touchdowns in his time in Auburn. Hunter has carried the ball 36 times for 273 yards and two scores so far this season.

Junior Damari Alston has added 15 carries for 102 yards and two scores, with the majority of that production (10 carries, 80 yards, 1 TD) coming in the win over New Mexico.

Like mentioned above, Brown looked good in the Week 3 victory against New Mexico. But SEC play begins this week and Arkansas’ defense will be a lot stronger than a poor Lobos team. If Brown can stay composed in the pocket, as he's not really a threat as a runner, Auburn’s backfield could cause some major problems for the Hogs.

Rushing Defense:

This is going to be the biggest matchup of the weekend. Going into this game, Auburn is allowing only 97.3 rushing yards a game, which ranks 31st in the nation.

On the other side of the ball, Arkansas running back Ja’Quendin Jackson was the SEC leader in missed tackles forced in Week 3 with 10 total. Jackson also has the fifth-most rushing yards in the country (397), and more total rushing yards than the rest of the Arkansas football team combined.

Auburn has two impactful players in the box on defense which includes edge rushers Jalen McLeod and Keldric Faulk. McLeod earned SEC Defensive Player of the Week following the 48-10 win over Arkansas last year, as he totaled three sacks and nine tackles in the Tigers' victory. Faulk had two sacks, eight tackles and 3 tackles for loss in Auburn’s loss to California on Sept. 7.

With center Addison Nichols dealing with an ankle injury (listed as probable) and left guard Patrick Kutas still out with a back injury Saturday, it’ll be interesting to see how this trench battle goes, because whoever wins this, will most likely win the game.

Auburn is also 29-2 since the start of the 2013 season when scoring a non-offensive touchdown.

​

Auburn Weaknesses​

Getting off to a fast start

Although I just credited Auburn’s rush defense, both the Tigers' defense and offense have had some slow starts through the 2024 season besides the 73-3 win over FCS opponent Alabama A&M in Week 1.

In the New Mexico game, DJ Durkin’s defense let up 293 total yards in the first half. That number dropped to 155 in the second half. Auburn also went into halftime up only four points, but then ran away with the game scoring 28 unanswered.

During the loss to California, the Tigers' offense did get off to a fast start with Thorne throwing for 106 yards and one score in the first quarter, but California also started fast and kept its foot on the gas enough. If Arkansas can get out to an early lead, it'll put pressure on the Tigers' young quarterback.

Inexperienced quarterback:

I know I’ve praised Brown a lot in this article, but he has only played one full game and is still a young player going against a much more challenging opponent. Both teams are most likely looking at this game as a “must win,” and there is going to be a lot of pressure on both sidelines come Saturday.

Auburn is looking for a 10th consecutive sellout at Jordan-Hare Stadium and Travis Williams, the former Auburn linebacker and current Arkansas defensive coordinator, will be looking to expose Brown’s inexperience.

Prediction​

There are a lot of interesting factors going into this big conference opener, and I could see the scenario where one mistake could change the tide of the game in seconds.

On one side, you have a threatening team in Auburn that may not be winning the SEC this year, but is looking to have a bright future at quarterback. That decision to change to the less experienced player could backfire, or it could pay off.

On the other side, you see an Arkansas team with experience all over the field, but some questionable chemistry and penalties over the past two weeks.

Wide receiver Andrew Armstrong is back and better than ever for the Hogs coming off a game with eight receptions for 137 yards. If quarterback Taylen Green doesn’t struggle with confidence early, Ja'Quinden Jackson stays on track running the ball and the bad penalties are fixed, Arkansas will leave Saturday with a win.

Arkansas 28, Auburn 24

For you MLB guys, is Ohtani trending towards becoming the best player ever?

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Had a complete nine inning shutout in game one today. Two HRs so far in game two. Just ridiculous

Arkansas: Ask yourself this question: How would the Razorbacks be perceived if they had Kentucky across their chests and not Arkansas? The answer is easy — like a top-10 team. John Calipari’s first season in Fayetteville should be a promising one as he’s put together a roster that’s older and more seasoned that the last one he coached while he was in Lexington. A troika of transfers from Kentucky — DJ Wagner, Adou Thiero, and Zvonimir Ivisic — followed their head coach while Calipari also added two others — Johnell Davis (Florida Atlantic) and Jonas Aidoo (Tennessee) — that should make a major difference defensively. Three top-40 freshmen — Boogie Fland, Billy Richmond, and Karter Knox — are also in the fold for the Razorbacks along with holdover Trevon Brazile (8.6 points, 5.9 rebounds). Arkansas could very well be the second-best team in the SEC behind Alabama.

Also mentioned Oregon, Texas A&M, Indiana, and Iowa State

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HawgBeat continues its weekly partnership with BetSaracen, the official mobile sports wagering platform of the Saracen Casino Resort.

Each game day eve, we provide an easy guide for all of the lines, player props and specials featured on the BetSaracen app for that week's Arkansas Razorback football game.

This week, the Hogs will face off against the Auburn Tigers at 2:30 p.m. CT Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama. The game will be broadcast on ESPN and streamed on the ESPN app, and there is no shortage of options for bettors.

Here is a full breakdown:

ML/SPREAD/TOTALS:​

Money Line:
Arkansas: +115
Auburn: -130

Spread:
Arkansas: +3.5, (-115)
Auburn: -3.5, (-105)

Total Points:
OVER 56.5, (-110)
UNDER 56.5, (-110)

Team Totals:
Arkansas OVER 26, (-110)
Arkansas UNDER 26, (-110)
Auburn OVER 30, (-110)
Auburn UNDER 30, (-110)

(Alternate lines, spreads and team totals are available on the BetSaracen mobile app.)

Double-R Props:​

~ Arkansas offense total first downs OVER 26.5 and OVER 13.5 rushing first downs: +145
~ Braylen Russell total yards rushing OVER 29.5 and OVER 0.5 total rushing touchdowns: +135
~ Isaiah Sategna OVER 3.5 total receptions and OVER 39.5 total receiving yards: +175
~ Kyle Ramsey OVER 3.5 FGs attempted and OVER 51.5 longest FG: +150
~ Rodney Hill total rushing attempts OVER 4.5 and OVER 29.5 rushing yards: +135
~ Tyrone Broden OVER 4.5 total receptions and OVER 34.5 total receiving yards: +125
~ Andrew Armstrong OVER 8.5 total receptions and OVER 94.5 total receiving yards: +210
~ Arkansas defense passing yards allowed OVER 274.5 and rushing yardage allowed OVER 144.5: +250
~ Arkansas defense total interceptions OVER 1.5 and OVER 0.5 total fumble recoveries: +260
~ Arkansas team total offense OVER 449.5 and opponent total offense UNDER 399.5: +275
~ Devin Bale total punts OVER 3.5 and OVER 59.5 longest punt: +200
~ Doneiko Slaughter total tackles OVER 6.5 and OVER 1.5 pass breakups: +275
~ Isaac TeSlaa OVER 3.5 total receptions and OVER 39.5 total receiving yards: +250
~ Jayden Johnson total tackles OVER 6.5 and OVER 2.5 pass breakups: +230
~ Jordan Anthony OVER 3.5 total receptions and OVER 34.5 total receiving yards: +250
~ Luke Hasz total targets OVER 7.5 and OVER 4.5 receptions: +210
~ Stephen Dix Jr. total tackles OVER 6.5 and OVER 1.5 tackles for loss: +275
~ TJ Metcalf total tackles OVER 7.5 and OVER 0.5 interceptions: +275
~ Arkansas defense total tackles for loss OVER 5.5 and OVER 2.5 total sacks: +325
~ Arkansas offense total passing yards OVER 274.5 and OVER 194.5 rushing yards: +325
~ Brad Spence OVER 4.5 total tackles and OVER 1.5 total tackles for loss: +300
~ Ja'Quinden Jackson total yards rushing OVER 134.5 and OVER 16.5 total rushing attempts: +325
~ Landon Jackson total tackles OVER 5.5 and OVER 1.5 total sacks: +375
~ Xavian Sorey Jr. total tackles OVER 9.5 and OVER 1.5 total sacks: +300
~ Taylen Green total yards passing OVER 249.5 and total yards rushing OVER 84.5: +425

HAWGBEAT'S PICK​

Each week, HawgBeat will list a few picks that look favorable based on trends and statistics throughout the season.

Longshot Parlay: Texas Tech ML, Utah spread, TCU ML (+471)​

I'm not a big fan of anything Arkansas-related this week, but there are plenty of interesting options with conference play getting started.

First up, I like Texas Tech to keep its momentum against Arizona State at home after a 66-point outburst against North Texas last week. The Sun Devils are 3-0, but those wins came over Wyoming, a bad Mississippi State team and Texas State.

The No. 12 Utah Utes travel to No. 14 Oklahoma State, a place Arkansas fans should be familiar with. When the Razorbacks played the Cowboys, quarterback Alan Bowman was fairly unremarkable in the matchup. On the other hand, Utah signal caller Cam Rising is a playmaker due for a big performance in 2024.

Finally, TCU is coming off a one-point loss to Guz Malzahn, former Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson and the UCF Knights. The Horned Frogs are on the road to face SMU, a team with an ugly victory over Nevada and an 18-15 home loss to BYU.