Auburn trounces Arkansas, 48-10, to become bowl eligible

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- , Auburn clinched bowl eligibility Saturday behind four touchdowns from Payton Thorne and a defense that held Arkansas to 255 yards in a 48-10 win. The Tigers (6-4, 3-4 Southeastern Conference) led 14-0 after the game’s first two series thanks to a 75-yard opening drive capped by a 12-yard run by Thorne. Arkansas punted on its first drive and Keionte Scott returned it 74 yards for another touchdown. "Fast starts have been good to us," Auburn coach Hugh Freeze said. “I think we do a decent job of managing the game if we get out to a lead.” Despite coming off a season-high in yards gained against Florida a week ago, the Auburn defense never allowed the Razorbacks (3-7, 1-6 SEC) to find rhythm. Arkansas needed five drives before it avoided a three-and-out.