Ashton Daniels leads Tigers to win as Auburn changes QBs - ESPN

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Rayshawn Pleasant's 49-yard interception return for a touchdown with 9:15 left proved to be the game-winning score as Auburn picked up its first win in Southeastern Conference play, 33-24, over Arkansas on Saturday.

The Tigers (4-4, 1-4) picked up new life after inserting Ashton Daniels at quarterback late in the second quarter. Auburn's starter, Jackson Arnold, was benched after throwing an interception late in the half that Arkansas' Kani Walker returned 89 yards for a touchdown, giving the Razorbacks a 21-10 lead at the break.

Daniels led Auburn on three straight scoring drives to start the third quarter, all finishing with field goals, to trim Arkansas' lead to 24-19 at the time of Pleasant's interception. Daniels finished 6 of 8 for 77 yards through his two-plus quarters of work.

Auburn had lost four straight games entering Saturday — all coming to ranked opponents and none came by a margin greater than 10.

«That group of young men and that group of coaches, as disappointing and as hurtful as those four tight losses are, I think there are people who maybe would have shut it down,» Auburn coach Hugh Freeze said.

Arkansas (2-6, 0-4) didn't have the ball enough for a comeback. Auburn won the time-of-possession battle by more than 13 minutes and the Razorbacks committed turnovers on three straight possessions following Pleasant's touchdown.

O'Mega Blake lost a fumble at the Auburn 44 that the Tigers ultimately turned into another field goal, Alex McPherson's fourth of the game. Pleasant intercepted Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green a second time on the next Razorbacks' series.

«I kissed him,» Freeze said of Pleasant. «I kissed him on the forehead.»

Auburn converted a fourth-and-1 at the Arkansas 27