Line hurt by lack of cohesion

FAYETTEVILLE — The Arkansas Razorbacks offensive line continued to struggle with penalties, sacks allowed and the shuffling of personnel during their 52-20 loss to Auburn on Saturday.

Auburn racked up six sacks, including two that resulted in lost fumbles, and the Razorbacks were flagged for three holding calls and three false starts.

A holding call against center Frank Ragnow wiped out a 6-yard sack late in the second quarter that would have been a seventh sack for the Tigers.

Left tackle Paul Ramirez was responsible for one holding call and two false starts in the first half before Colton Jackson took over for him in the second half. Right guard Johnny Gibson had the third false start.

Tight end Jeremy Patton was also penalized for holding. The Razorbacks were penalized 7 times for 50 yards, with 6 of them by the offense for 45 yards.

“We were driving and we’d get a penalty or I’d take a sack and not get rid of the ball,” Arkansas quarterback Cole Kelley said. “You can’t get yourself into second and 20s. Not against a defense like that.”

Gibson started at right guard after missing significant portions of practice time during the week. Right tackle Brian Wallace got up gingerly after a couple of plays, including a quarterback sneak in which the pile engulfed him.

Freshman Ty Clary picked up playing time for Gibson, including a series when Gibson had a shoe come off.

“Just again, numbers. I wish we had more healthy numbers,” Coach Bret Bielema said of the offensive line. “Johnny Gibson really didn’t practice during the course of the week. We tried to find the five best guys.

“Again, we’ve just got to continue to work and keep pursuing ourselves, keep bringing our guys along and hopefully develop some players in the next five weeks. Then, obviously, recruiting takes over.”

to Darius Slayton on the Tigers’ opening possession.

The Razorbacks had nine men on the field as Jarrett Stidham ran untouched 15 yards for a touchdown around the left side on a read-option play.

“When they had a big play, we knew they tried to go as fast as they can, and somebody yelled for a substitution to go in and we just weren’t able to do that,” Bret Bielema said. “Made the adjustments after that play to make sure it didn’t happen again.”

including 6 of 10 in the first half.