The Auburn Tigers offense faced significant criticism following their 24-14 defeat to the Arkansas Razorbacks, but cornerback Kayin Lee believes the defense could have done more as well.
After dominating Arkansas last season, the Tigers were expected to win at home this year. However, five turnovers derailed their chances, resulting in the loss.
Despite the outcome, there are positives to take from their second defeat. The defense showed it could keep Auburn competitive, even amidst the offense’s struggles.
Lee expressed pride in his teammates for their relentless effort, stating, “We could have given more effort. We could have executed more plays. I’m just glad everyone fought until the end; nobody gave up. We just need to clean up some minor details.”
Auburn struggled to contain Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green, who impacted the game both through the air and on the ground. Green completed 12 of 27 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for 80 yards.
“He’s on scholarship just like we are,” Lee noted. “I was just trying to compete. He’s a good player with a strong offense.”
The Tigers had difficulty getting off the field on third downs, with Arkansas converting 9 of 19 attempts, often in long-yardage situations.
“Very frustrating,” Lee said about their third-down challenges. “We know mistakes happen, but we can’t lose focus. We need to address this in practice.”
Auburn cornerback Champ Anthony was carted off the field after suffering a leg injury in the first quarter, just after making a crucial hit to force an incompletion. During his brief time on the field, he broke up three passes and recorded a hurry on the quarterback.
“That’s our brother,” Lee emphasized. “We support each other, and we won’t stop fighting no matter what.”
