AUBURN | Last week Gus Malzahn said he was taking a different approach with Kamryn Pettway.

Going into the LSU game, the SEC’s leading returning rusher in yards per game had just 64 carries for 208 yards and three touchdowns. Slowed by injuries, Pettway missed the Missouri game, had just five carries for six yards at Mississippi State and sat out the Ole Miss game.

Instead of continuing to play a banged-up Pettway, Malzahn said the plan was to hold him out until he’s fully healthy.

But once again Pettway was on the field against LSU and once again he struggled to make a difference finishing with just seven yards on four carries. He played eight snaps.

Malzahn was asked about Pettway’s lack of production and if there’s an issue with his power running style fitting in with this season's offense during Tuesday’s press conference.

“I think probably the biggest issue is he has not been able to be healthy. It is what it is on that,” Malzahn said. “I don't say anything about not fitting in the offense. He's getting closer. I think the other day he was close to 100 percent. Hopefully after this week, he will be 100 percent.”

So why is Pettway still struggling to return to the form of last season in which he ran for 1,224 yards and seven touchdowns?

“A lot of factors go into how big the hole is and everything that goes with it. Talking about his carries from Saturday,” Malzahn said.

No. 21 Auburn returns to action this Saturday at Arkansas. Kickoff at Razorback Stadium is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT on the SEC Network.