Opponent Scouting Report: Arkansas Razorbacks Defense, Position-by-Position
Sep 14, 2013; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks cornerback Will Hines (9) is congratulated by safety Alan Turner (27) after an interception by Hines during the second quarter against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
In our offensive scouting report, we discussed the lackluster Arkansas offense from 2013. Unfortunately for the Razorbacks, the offense had more to cheer about than the defense last season.
More from Auburn Football
- Ex-star Auburn DL confronts ‘slant man’ in MNF post-game video
- Ex-Auburn star laments not getting to face fellow Heisman candidate
- Analyst expects third-year RB to take AU rushing lead from surprising transfer
- Hugh Freeze was the right hire to truly embrace Auburn
- Auburn football Jack LB: ‘We’ve got to earn our respect back’
The Arkansas Razorbacks return six starters from a 2013 defense that allowed an average of 30.8 points per game. That figure ranked 12th in the Southeastern Conference and 89th nationally. The squad was even worse against conference opponents and allowed 37.9 points on average, which was more than any other team in the league.
Arkansas allowed an average of 413.4 yards per game of total offense, the ninth best total in the league. The team ranked 11th in the SEC by allowing both 178.4 rushing yards and 235 passing. Opponents averaged 6.1 yards per play and 4.7 yards per carry, completed an astounding 65% of their passes, and had 25 touchdown passes.
Some defenses can allow a lot of yards, but still keep opponents off the scoreboard when it counts (last year’s group at Auburn comes to mind), but the Razorbacks could not do that in 2013 because Arkansas created the fewest turnovers in the SEC. They forced only 14 turnovers last season and finished with a league worst minus-9 turnover ratio.
Arkansas Razorbacks 2013 Defensive Stats (Returners Only)
[table id=18 /]