Which Auburn players had the highest and lowest Pro Football Focus grades against Arkansas?

Auburn put together another disappointing performance Saturday, losing to Arkansas 24-14 to begin Southeastern Conference play.

Turnovers, penalties and a scrambling quarterback were the key reasons for the loss as the Tigers drop to 2-2 on the young season.

Pro Football Focus graded every Auburn player who saw the field during Saturday’s game. Here are Auburn’s highest and lowest rated performers from the game:

Offense

Top 5

1. QB Payton Thorne 81.2
2. WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith 71.9
3. WR Malcolm Simmons 70.8
4. RB Jarquez Hunter 70.2
5. C Connor Lew 65.8

Analysis

After replacing redshirt freshman Hank Brown at halftime, Thorne had a solid performance. It wasn’t enough to turn things completely around for Auburn, but he threw for over 200 yards and two touchdowns and his one interception wasn’t his fault.

Lambert-Smith was Auburn’s most dangerous offensive player throughout the game, catching five passes for 156 yards and two touchdowns. He and Hunter’s performances were encouraging from Auburn’s veterans.

Hugh Freeze said earlier in the week that he wanted to get Simmons more involved in the offense and that was emphasis was clear Saturday. Auburn made more of an effort to get the ball in the speedster’s hands and the freshman showed some positive signs.

Bottom 5

1. QB Hank Brown 41.6
2. RB Damari Alston 50
3. WR Sam Jackson V 52.4
4. LG Dillon Wade 53.7
5. WR Perry Thompson 54.3

Analysis

The two lowest grades are due largely to turnovers.

Brown threw three interceptions in the first half before getting benched and Alston had a costly fumble near the goal line. Neither Jackson nor Thompson played significant snaps and no huge mistakes defined their performances.

Alston also played just seven snaps, but his low grade is largely due to the fumble.

Defense

Top 5

1. DB Champ Anthony 93.3
2. DB Sylvester Smith 79.1
3. CB Jay Crawford 77
4. CB Kayin Lee 74.3
5. DL Isaiah Raikes 71.6

Analysis

Anthony’s 93.3 grade immediately jumps out, but he only played 12 snaps after suffering what looked to be a serious leg injury where he was carted off the field.

Overall, this list speaks volumes about what the defense did well. Outside of one or two breakdowns in the scramble drill, Auburn’s secondary played well against Arkansas.

Both Smith and Lee had interceptions, and the corners did a better job of making plays in man coverage. Crawford only played eight snaps, but even he had a nice pass breakup.

Bottom 5

1. LB Robert Woodyard Jr. 53.1
2. DL Quientrail Jamison-Travis 53.8
3. BUCK Keyron Crawford 56.9
4. CBs Keionte Scott and Antonio Kite 57.5
5. LB Eugene Asante 59.1

Analysis

Auburn’s biggest issues defensively came when Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green made plays outside of the pocket.

Green hurt Auburn both as a runner and by making throws on the run, which reflects in the bottom five grades. It’s the second week in a row Auburn has struggled to contain a mobile quarterback, and it won’t be the last time the Tigers will face one.

Peter Rauterkus covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @peter_rauterkus or email him at [email protected]m