The No. 12 Arkansas Razorbacks lost to the No. 7 Auburn Tigers 65-43 at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. on Saturday.

“It was a tough game for us,” Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino said.

Along with the loss, junior quarterback Ryan Mallett left the game in second quarter with a head injury.

With 7:54 left in the first quarter, junior quarterback Ryan Mallett threw a seven-yard touchdown pass to senior fullback Van Stumon.

The extra point made it 7-0 Razorbacks.

The Hogs didn’t have the lead for long.

Junior quarterback Cam Newton finished a six-play, 53-yard drive with a powerful five-yard touchdown run up the middle.

With 5:30 left in the first quarter, the score was tied 7-7.

With 14:48 left in the second quarter, senior kicker Wes Byrum booted a 43-yard field goal to put Auburn ahead 10-7. The scored capped a nine play, 66-yard drive.

Later in the quarter, on third-and-goal from the two, Mallett threw an incomplete pass out of the end zone, but a pass interference call put the ball on the one-yard line with first-and-goal to go.

On the next play, junior running back Broderick Green punched it in from one yard out. With 9:43 left in the second quarter, Arkansas led 14-10.

The Tigers retook the lead with a controversial four-yard touchdown run with 6:28 left in the second quarter. Senior running back Mario Fannin appeared to fumble at the one-yard line, but the review upheld the touchdown call on the field.

The extra point put Auburn ahead 17-14.

It was here that Mallett was done.

When Arkansas came out for its next drive, Mallett stayed on the sideline and sophomore quarterback Tyler Wilson took over.

Mallett was tackled and landed on by junior defensive tackle Nick Fairley.

The drive ended with Arkansas getting its punt blocked at its own 32-yard line.

Three plays later, sophomore running back Onterio McCalebb ended a 32-second scoring drive with a 13-yard touchdown run. With 4:03 left, the Tigers pulled ahead 24-14.

Wilson answered right back.

The sophomore connected with junior wide receiver Greg Childs for a 34-yard touchdown pass to cut Auburn’s lead to 24-21 with 1:06 left in the half.

But Arkansas couldn’t get to halftime with that score.

With one second left in the half, senior cornerback Ramon Broadway committed pass interference in the end zone, leading to a 26-yard field goal with no time left.

After the field goal, Auburn led 27-21 at halftime.

The Tigers opened the third quarter with a 12-play, 69-yard drive that ended with Byrum’s third field goal of the day, putting Auburn ahead 30-21.

The Razorbacks answered the field goal with a touchdown.

With 5:40 left in the third, Wilson hit sophomore running back Ronnie Wingo for a 37-yard touchdown pass.

Arkansas cut the lead to 30-28, but only for 90 seconds.

After McCalebb’s 99-yard kickoff return, Newton leaped into the end zone from one-yard out, increasing Auburn’s lead to 37-28.

“We got beat in the kicking game,” Petrino said. “There is no question they had a huge advantage on special teams with huge kick returns, and they held us to no returns.”

After the Tigers’ touchdown, trickery ensued.

On a flea-flicker, Wilson connected with Childs for a 54-yard pass. Two plays later, Wilson hit junior Joe Adams for a 24-yard touchdown pass. The touchdown cut Auburn’s lead to 37-35 with 3:20 left in the third.

The Razorbacks scored with 14:09 left in the game to pull ahead. Childs’ 23-yard touchdown grab and two-point conversion catch put the Hogs ahead 43-37.

Once again, the Hogs couldn’t hold the lead for long.

Auburn’s next drive, a seven-play, 68-yard drive, ended with a Newton touchdown pass to sophomore wide receiver Emory Blake. With 11:44 left, Auburn retook the lead, 44-43.

And things only got worse for the Hogs.

On Arkansas’ next possession, Green fumbled on his own 45-yard line, and the live ball was returned for a touchdown by senior safety Zac Etheridge. That made it 51-43 Tigers.

The next time the Hogs got the ball, Wilson was intercepted by senior linebacker Josh Bynes. Two plays later, Newton scored his third rushing touchdown. With 8:31 left, Auburn was up 58-43.

History repeated itself on the Hogs’ next possession – Wilson was intercepted again by Bynes. Freshman running back Michael Dyer took advantage of Arkansas’ third turnover with a 38-yard touchdown run, pushing the lead to 65-43 and scoring the last points of the game.

In relief for Mallett, Wilson was 25-34 with four touchdowns and two interceptions.

“He was concentrating, focusing and making plays,” Petrino said. “I have a lot of respect for Tyler Wilson. He’s a really good player and can throw the football.”

Newton finished the contest 10-14 for 140 yards and one touchdown. He was also the team’s rushing leader with 25 carries for 205 yards and three touchdowns.

“He put the ball in his own hands, he broke tackles and he got into the end zone,” said junior linebacker Jerico Nelson.

“I really thought we would find a way to win the game, but we came up short,” Petrino said.