Cam Settles Records 100 Rushing Yards in Arkansas Loss to Auburn

Cam Settles Records 100 Rushing Yards in Arkansas Loss to Auburn

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Arkansas’ ground game has struggled with consistency in both production and personnel through nine games this season.

The Razorbacks rushed for 172 yards during a 26-23 road loss to Auburn on Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium, securing their first 100-yard rusher of the season in Cam Settles. Settles carried the ball 16 times for 100 yards, averaging 6.3 yards per attempt.

Yet the offense proved feast or famine on the ground. Of those 172 rushing yards, 111 came on just two plays: a 65-yard second-quarter scamper by Sutton Smith that set up a goal-line touchdown for Braylen Russell, and a 46-yard burst by Settles in the third quarter that led to a field goal putting Arkansas up 13-9.

WATCH: Khmori House and Cam Settles Reflect on Arkansas’ close 26-23 loss against Auburn

Excluding six sacks that cost the Razorbacks 42 yards, the team gained 103 yards on 36 other carries, translating to 2.9 yards per carry. When factoring in the sacks, the team averaged 3.9 yards per carry for the game.

“The run game showed proof of life today,” head coach Ryan Silverfield said, “But then those TFLs in the second half showed that we were boom or bust, and so we’ve got to get those cleaned up.”

Arkansas surrendered 12 tackles for loss during the matchup, with eight of those coming in the second half. The defensive pressure featured plays by Auburn edge Jared Smith and defensive lineman Cody Sigler.

Oct auburn kick returner cam martin settles under a ball

Silverfield noted the explosive nature of the team’s top runs while addressing missed opportunities. “The two long runs were huge,” Silverfield said. “Wish Sutton had gotten in the end zone and finished, and certainly wish Cam Settles had, too.”

While Settles emerged as the star of Arkansas’ rushing attack, the coaching staff continued to cycle running backs at a fast pace. Sutton Smith recorded only three carries despite logging the team’s largest run play of the season.

Braylen Russell finished with 10 carries for 27 yards, while Markeylin Batton made his first appearance of the season after dealing with injuries during preseason preparations, contributing four carries for nine yards in the first half.

“He had been injured a little bit throughout the weeks, in preseason, some of those things,” Silverfield said of Batton. “We know that he’s got a different speed than some of our running backs. I love our running back room, but Batton’s got different gear, and so I think we got to see it on one of the speed options.”

Silverfield added that the staff is evaluating Batton’s role moving forward alongside a crowded backfield. Jasper Parker, who has been Arkansas’ RB4 this year and has 11 carries for 51 yards, did not record a carry against Auburn.

The Razorbacks have now utilized five different running backs alongside quarterback KJ Jackson without establishing a clear No. 1 option. Jackson, who found success running the ball against Vanderbilt and Missouri, recorded only three carries for 15 yards against Auburn, excluding sacks. Designed quarterback runs were not part of the plan on Saturday.

“When we looked at what Auburn was doing defensively, we didn’t feel like there’s as many things that we could take advantage with the quarterback-run game,” Silverfield said. “We had done some of the quarterback-run game and had been effective, but not to the point where we felt more comfortable. Sometimes just being creative with some other things and doing some different stuff, obviously.”

Settles enters the final stretch of the season as Arkansas’ leading rusher with 314 yards, leaving open the possibility that the team may finish the year without a 400-yard rusher.

More on Arkansas: Arkansas Razorbacks Fall to Auburn 26-23 Amid Offensive Struggles · Arkansas Razorbacks lose 26-23 to Auburn at Jordan-Hare Stadium · Auburn Edges Arkansas 26-23 With Late Field Goal To Secure Comeback Victory

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