Making the most of it

AUBURN | Eli Stove started his first career game Saturday and the freshman made the most of it.

On Auburn’s first offensive play, he took a handoff from Sean White on an end around, cut through two big blocks by Chandler Cox and Tony Stevens and sprinted 78 yards untouched for a touchdown.

“It was huge,” White said. “Anytime you score on the first play of the game it will give you a boost. As a true freshman, I'm just proud of him to be able to make plays in a big game.”

It was the first time Auburn scored on its first offensive play of a game since Carnell Williams broke free for an 80-yard touchdown in the 2003 Iron Bowl.

Stove finished the game with three carries for 94 yards and a touchdown and one reception for 12 yards.

“He's electric. He's a playmaker,” White said. “When he's gotten his chances this year, I think he's done extremely well. He's only going to get more involved and get better. I'm really happy for Eli.”

Stove is one of three true freshman receivers making an impact on this year’s team. Kyle Davis is fourth on the team with nine catches for 212 yards and a touchdown while Nate Craig-Myers caught a leaping 10-yard pass for a first down against the Razorbacks

“We just felt like getting (Stove) the ball first play -- that really set the tone,” Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said. “He can run. He’s a good athlete. We had a lot of young guys out there. I really thought they took that next step.

“Nate Craig made a really good catch, and of course Kyle Davis has been playing well all year. It’s good that those young guys are starting to grow up.”

One of Stove’s best plays of the game didn’t show up in the box score. He ran down Deon Stewart from behind on a long kickoff return at the end of the third quarter. The play ended up going back to the Arkansas 7-yard line on a holding call.

Malzahn didn’t even realize that was Stove immediately after the game.

“He can really run. You’re talking about the one that called back? I just saw the flag but I really didn’t watch. You just told me something I didn’t know,” Malzahn said.