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Razorbacks defense suffers big blow with Cam Ball out before Auburn game

Originally posted on Arkansas Razorbacks on SI
By Andy Hodges | Last updated Oct 23, 2025 9:00 PM ET

Arkansas’ defense received a significant blow this week when team captain and veteran interior lineman Cameron Ball was ruled out for Saturday’s home game against the Auburn Tigers, leaving the unit shorthanded at a time when every resource matters.

Ball, a red-shirt senior defensive tackle listed at 6-5 and 323 pounds, has been a core contributor for Arkansas, starting all seven games this season and logging more than 370 snaps.

With his absence first confirmed on the team’s Wednesday injury report, the Razorbacks not only lose a player but also a leader on a defense that already ranks among the most porous in the SECe.

Hogs interim coach Bobby Petrino, acknowledged the challenge.

“We know what’s at stake,” Petrino said. “We want to be physical and get off the field on third down, but we have to protect those guys. We’ll rely on effort, not excuses.”

Arkansas (2-5, 0-3 SEC) already entered Saturday’s matchup with depth concerns along its defensive front. With Ball unavailable and fellow tackle David Oke also sidelined, the Razorbacks will turn to backups including Danny Saili, who is listed as probable, and younger contributors such as Ian Geffrard and Keyshawn Blackstock.

The numbers tell the story of Arkansas’ defensive struggles. The unit is ranked 121st nationally in scoring defense at 32.7 points allowed per game and 126th in total defense at 443.9 yards per game.

Much of that stems from mismatches up front, missed tackles and a lack of rotation that leaves players fatigued late in games.

Ball’s workload speaks to the demands placed on the Razorbacks. He entered the week averaging more defensive snaps than any interior lineman on the roster and among the highest in the Power Four conferences for his position.

Without his presence, Arkansas’ front must reconfigure on the fly against a team that still has enough offensive talent to strike.

On the other sideline, Auburn (3-4, 0-4 SEC) also enters Saturday in need of a win.

While the Tigers’ offense has under-performed averaging just 23.6 points per game and ranking 109th nationally in total offense.

The matchup against Arkansas presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Auburn’s quarterback room has undergone changes with transfers rotating through the system, while its offensive line continues to adjust to injuries and midseason shuffling.

Auburn’s inconsistency has come largely from a lack of rhythm in the passing game. The Tigers have relied on the run, averaging 179 yards per contest, but their offensive identity remains unsettled.

Facing an Arkansas front now missing its most experienced interior lineman could help them gain traction.

With Ball unavailable, Arkansas must rely on younger linemen and schematic shifts to help shore up the interior run game and generate a credible pass rush. The coaching staff will likely emphasize gap control, third-down defense and limiting explosive plays — a tall task given the personnel.

Conversely, Auburn hopes to exploit the weakened front by establishing the run and opening up play-action. While its offense has not yet shown consistent explosiveness, facing a defense in flux gives the Tigers a chance to build momentum.

Special teams and field position may also play a role. Arkansas’ defense needs to keep the team in manageable situations, so the Razorbacks’ offense and kicking game must do their part to relieve pressure from the front seven. Maintaining possession and reducing short-fields will be critical.

For Arkansas, the outcome of this game will impact more than their record. It will test whether the unit can adapt to unexpected personnel losses and still execute under Petrino’s direction.

If the younger linemen step into meaningful roles and the defense shows resilience, the Razorbacks will gain valuable momentum. If not, the margin for error becomes even thinner in a brutal SEC stretch.

Auburn, meanwhile, sees this as a chance to gain its first conference win and to assert its offense can perform when the stakes are higher. The Tigers’ performance could offer clues about their trajectory and the health of the coaching staff’s plans.