The Traveler

Issue date: 10/15/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Chris Bryan Arkansas defensive coordinator Reggie Herring (left) and head coach Houston Nutt (right) leave the field after the Hogs' loss.

Auburn freshman kicker Wes Byrum hit a 20-yard field goal with 21 seconds remaining as the Tigers beat Arkansas 9-7 Saturday night at Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

Arkansas failed to put together a scoring drive until a six-play, 71-yard drive capped by a 13-yard touchdown pass from Casey Dick to Lucas Miller with 1:36 left in the fourth quarter.

Arkansas was haunted, however, by its kicking team following the touchdown when kicker Brian Vavra kicked the ball out-of-bounds. Instead of taking the ball at its own 35, the Tigers exercised a 5-yard penalty and forced Arkansas to re-kick.

Auburn running back Brad Lester returned the ensuing kick 22 yards to the Tigers' 47-yard line to set up the game-winning drive.

Arkansas struggled to move the ball the entire night, being held to a season-low 67 yards rushing on the night and just 193 yards of total offense.

Needing 31 yards to break the school's all-time record for rushing yards, junior running back Darren McFadden took a major hit to his Heisman Trophy candidacy with just 43 yards on 17 carries in front of a national TV audience.

"Darren's a great back and a great player," Arkansas coach Houston Nutt said. "Even though he broke the record, but didn't play well, I know this one game doesn't make him any less of a running back. He's still a special player."

McFadden and running-mate Felix Jones had each eclipsed the 100-yard mark in Arkansas' five games prior to Saturday, but the duo combined for just 85 net rushing yards Saturday.

"Those running backs at Arkansas are unbelievable," Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville said. "Our guys did a great job. I'm proud of our defense."

The two defenses were the story most of the night, with Auburn holding a 3-0 lead going into the fourth quarter.

Arkansas' defense held Auburn to 290 offensive yards, including holding Auburn quarterback Brandon Cox to 101 yards passing on 13-of-23 passing.

Arkansas safety Matt Hewitt continued a great three-game stretch with 14 tackles on the night and recovered an Auburn fumble inside the Razorback 5-yard line in the third quarter.

Continued...

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