Cameron Artis-Payne steps out with record-setting day

AUBURN – It was a record-setting day for Auburn senior running back Cameron Artis-Payne.

The 5-foot-11, 210-pound running back finished the game with 26 carries for 177 yards — both career highs. Artis-Payne, who racked up 122 yards in the second half, also added a first-quarter touchdown to help the Tigers defeat Arkansas 45-21 in the season-opener Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Artis-Payne has had success before, as his previous best was 19 carries and 133 yards, but that came last season against non-Power 5 conference teams.

"We just came out and executed well," Artis-Payne said. "The first half was a little slow, but once we picked it up, we did what we needed to do."

Artis-Payne, who started in place of fellow senior Corey Grant, said he entered the game with a chip on his shoulder and was determined to make a difference.

"I read everything that everybody put out talking about how the running game was going to be, so I made them prove it was going to be all right.

"I feel like I played OK. I just need to get to the tape and see what I need to work on."

Artis-Payne took much of the pressure off quarterback Jeremy Johnson, who started for the first half in place of the suspended Nick Marshall. He plowed his way for 55 yards on 14 carries for one touchdown.

Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said he was impressed with Artis-Payne's performance.

"He really carried the load for us," Malzahn said. "He did a solid job and broke tackles and got some hard yards. I thought he got stronger as the game went along."

It wasn't all glitz for Artis-Payne, who fumbled after a 5-yard run near midfield early in the third quarter. After the turnover, Auburn coach Gus Malzahn turned to Grant to carry the ball on the next two possessions, but returned to his star back in the fourth quarter.

"It just depends on what the defense gives us," Malzahn said. "It was really good for our running backs to get out there."

They hadn't been tackled since the spring game, so it was good to get them out there and they performed very well."