Tag: Arkansas Razorbacks

Missouri looking to sustain drives against skidding Arkansas

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Missouri looks for rare offensive consistency when it wraps up its regular season with a Southeastern Conference game against Arkansas on Saturday in Fayetteville, Ark.

Missouri (7-4, 3-4 SEC) is coming off a 17-6 loss at then-No. 8 Oklahoma last weekend. The Tigers were kept out of the end zone for the first time this season as Beau Pribula completed 20 of 36 passes for 231 yards. He threw two interceptions and was sacked four times.

The Tigers posted a 301-276 edge in yards gained, yet couldn’t string together a scoring drive thanks to a 3-for-15 effort on third downs.

“During moments in the game where we need to rely on (our offense), it hasn’t come through like we wanted it,” said Missouri coach Eliah Drinkwitz, who agreed to a new contract this week.

“But we still have the opportunity in the last two games to get it fixed and that’s what we are working on.”

While the Tigers are vying for bowl position, the Razorbacks (2-9, 0-7) are playing out the string, still in search of their first SEC win and trying to snap a nine-game losing streak.

Interim coach Bobby Petrino said he might not announce his starting quarterback until game time.

“We’ve got to play it out in practice and make sure everyone is in good shape,” Petrino said. “… We’ll just work it and see who is ready to go.”

Taylen Green has a 61.3% completion rate this season to go along with 2,655 passing yards, 19 touchdowns and 11 interceptions through 11 games. He has also rushed for 775 yards on 130 attempts with eight scores.

In last week’s 52-37 loss at Texas, KJ Jackson completed 16 of 29 passes for 206 yards and a touchdown. The redshirt freshman has thrown for 315 yards with two passing TDs while rushing for 45 yards and two scores.

Green started against the Longhorns but left with an injury. After he was cleared to re-enter the game, Petrino opted to stick with Jackson.

“I said, ‘No, we will stay with KJ,’” Petrino said. “I thought he earned it. He took the ball, drove us down for three scores. With him in the game we scored two touchdowns and a field goal. I thought he did a good job.”

Multiple reports this week said Arkansas was finalizing negotiations to hire South Florida’s Alex Golesh as its next head coach.

–Field Level Media

Reports: Arkansas close to hiring USF’s Alex Golesh as head coach

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Arkansas is finalizing negotiations to hire South Florida’s Alex Golesh as its next head coach, multiple media outlets reported on Wednesday.

Golesh, 41, would return to the Southeastern Conference after serving as Tennessee’s offensive coordinator and tight ends coach in 2021 and 2022, respectively.

The Razorbacks are looking to replace Sam Pittman, who was fired on Sept. 28 — one day after the team dropped a 56-13 decision at home to Notre Dame. Bobby Petrino has served as the interim head coach since Pittman’s departure.

While USF and Arkansas have yet to confirm the reports, Petrino took to social media to issue a “thank you” note.

Golesh sports an 8-3 record this season and 22-15 mark overall during his three campaigns at USF. He has guided the Bulls to bowl wins in each of his previous two seasons.

Prior to his arrival in South Florida, the Bulls limped to a 1-11 record in 2022.

–Field Level Media

Oct 25, 2025; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Auburn Tigers wide receiver Cam Coleman (8) celebrates with wide receiver Malcolm Simmons (4) after scoring a touchdown defended by Arkansas Razorbacks defensive back Julian Neal (23) during the first quarter at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

Rayshawn Pleasant’s pick-six helps Auburn defeat Arkansas

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Rayshawn Pleasant had two interceptions, including a go-ahead pick-six on Saturday, as the visiting Auburn Tigers rallied for a 33-24 victory over the Arkansas Razorbacks in Southeastern Conference play in Fayetteville.

Alex McPherson made all six of his field goal attempts for the Tigers (4-4, 1-4 SEC), who snapped a four-game losing streak.

After Auburn starting quarterback Jackson Arnold was benched after throwing a pick-six late in the first half, Ashton Daniels completed 6 of 8 passes for 77 yards in his season debut. Jeremiah Cobb ran for 153 yards on 28 carries.

Taylen Green threw for 268 yards and a touchdown, but threw three fourth-quarter interceptions for Arkansas (2-6, 0-4), which dropped its sixth straight game.

Trailing 21-10 at halftime, Auburn cut its deficit to eight on McPherson’s 23-yard field goal on the Tigers’ opening drive of the second half. Justin Jones then blocked Arkansas’ punt, leading to McPherson’s 43-yarder to pull the Tigers within five with 5:05 left in the third.

Scott Starzyk’s 27-yard field goal gave the Razorbacks a 24-16 lead on their next possession, before McPherson’s 26-yard field goal trimmed Auburn’s deficit to five again with 12:03 remaining in the fourth.

Six plays into the subsequent Arkansas drive, Green’s pass was intercepted and returned 49 yards for a touchdown by Pleasant. Daniels ran in the two-point conversion, giving Auburn a 27-24 advantage with 9:15 left.

Arkansas’ miscues continued as wide receiver O’Mega Blake’s fumble was recovered and returned by Sylvester Smith to the Razorbacks’ 34-yard line.

Again unable to find the end zone, Auburn settled for McPherson’s 47-yard field goal attempt, which he made to give the Tigers a six-point lead with 6:23 to play.

Arkansas continued to unravel as Pleasant picked off Green again. McPherson knocked through a 37-yarder to give Auburn a nine-point lead with 1:06 remaining. Green then threw his third interception of the quarter, as Kensley Louidor-Faustin’s pick sealed the wild win.

Auburn led 10-0 after Arnold’s 23-yard touchdown pass to Cam Coleman and McPherson’s 23-yard field goal with 12:05 left in the second quarter. Arkansas answered with consecutive touchdown drives, as Green connected with Raylen Sharpe for a 58-yard touchdown before Braylen Russell’s 2-yard rushing score gave the Razorbacks a 14-10 lead with 5:24 remaining in the first half.

Arkansas took an 11-point lead into halftime as Kani Walker intercepted Arnold and returned it 89 yards for a score with 48 seconds left.

–Field Level Media

Aug 14, 2025; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Taylen Green (10) passes during practice. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

Taylen Green, Arkansas take aim at Alabama A&M

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Arkansas begins a critical season for coach Sam Pittman when the Razorbacks meet Alabama A&M on Saturday afternoon at Fayetteville, Ark.

Arkansas hasn’t had a winning mark in Southeastern Conference play in five seasons under Pittman, a former Georgia assistant coach. So coming off last year’s 7-6 overall record, the Razorbacks are looking to make strides.

“During camp, I think we’ve done everything as a staff that we wanted to get accomplished,” Pittman said. “Each year, you’ve got to get better.”

The Alabama A&M program is at a different stage with the Football Championship Subdivision team under first-year coach Sam Shade. The Bulldogs were 6-6 last season.

This will be the first-ever meeting between the teams.

Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green is trying to build on the 2024 season in which he threw for 3,154 yards and totaled 23 total touchdowns (15 passing, eight rushing). Green joins Oklahoma’s John Mateer as the lone active QBs in the country to have thrown for more than 3,000 yards and rushed for more than 600 yards last year.

Green should have plenty of weapons with the Razorbacks in their second season since former Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino returned to the team as offensive coordinator.

“We’re learning that we have a pretty dang good group of wideouts,” Pittman said.

One of the compelling storylines involves sophomore receiver Monte Harrison, a former major league baseball player who turned 30 earlier this month. He made two catches in his first season with the Razorbacks.

“He kept working and now he’s one of those guys you want to go to,” Pittman said. “He really is a guy you want to go to.”

Shade spent the past three seasons at Division II Miles before he was hired at Alabama A&M.

Quarterback Cornelious Brown IV will remain the starter for the Bulldogs, giving the new staff a level of comfort.

“He has played so much football so it’s hard for other guys behind him to push to be in that spot right now because he has just played so much ball,” Shade said. “We’re kind of leaning on that experience.”

Quarterback JD Davis II, a transfer from Western Michigan, will be one of the backups.

“He has made a lot of improvement from spring ball up until now,” Shade said. “He wants to be out there.”

Alabama A&M receiver Duke Miller has missed preseason practice time with a boot on his foot, so his status is murky. Shade said he liked how the rushing attack clicked for the Bulldogs during some of their scrimmage work late in the preseason.

–Field Level Media

Nov 16, 2024; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Texas Longhorns wide receiver Silas Bolden (11) runs the ball in the first quarter as Arkansas Razorbacks linebacker Larry Worth III (30) defends at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

No. 3 Texas dominates first half to get past Arkansas 20-10

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Quinn Ewers passed for 176 yards and touchdowns early and late to Matthew Golden as No. 3 Texas did just enough on the road to beat Arkansas 20-10 on Saturday afternoon in a key Southeastern Conference clash in Fayetteville, Ark.

The game was the first for the two programs as league foes since 1990 when they were a part of the now-defunct Southwest Conference. The intensity still was high as the Longhorns (9-1, 5-1 SEC) stayed on track for a spot in the SEC Championship game in their inaugural season in the conference.

Up 10 points with 9:05 to play, the Longhorns forced a fumble and then held on to the ball over the final 6:55 to secure the victory, their third straight after a lone loss at home to Georgia on Oct. 19.

Jaydon Blue rushed for 83 yards on 13 carries as Texas outgained the Razorbacks 315-238 in total yards during the victory.

Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green had 149 yards passing but absorbed six sacks for 48 yards in losses and threw an interception for the Razorbacks (5-5, 3-4).

The Longhorns struck first, moving 61 yards in six snaps to a 20-yard Ewers-to-Golden TD pass midway through the first quarter. Texas added to its lead with a 39-yard field goal by Bert Auburn at the 11:15 mark of the second quarter .

Texas’ defense dominated the first half, holding the Razorbacks to just 74 total yards while recording four quarterback sacks and six tackles for a loss. Arkansas crossed midfield just once, and then to just the Texas 46.

The Longhorns extended their advantage to 13-0 on Auburn’s 33-yards field goal on their opening possession of the third quarter.

Arkansas finally responded, moving 75 yards in 12 plays to a Ja’Quiden Jackson 1-yard TD plunge to make it 13-7 with 3:39 to play in the third. The Razorbacks more than doubled their prior offensive output on the scoring march.

Matthew Shipley’s 44-yard field goal with 12:48 remaining at the end of a 10-play, 39-yard drive culled the Arkansas deficit to just three points.

Ewers then found Golden on a nifty 1-yard touchdown pass to stem the Arkansas tide and re-establish the Longhorns’ 10-point lead.

–Field Level Media

Nov 2, 2024; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Ole Miss Rebels wide receiver Jordan Watkins (11) celebrates with quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) after catching a pass for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

Jaxson Dart, Jordan Watkins, No. 19 Ole Miss jolt Arkansas

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Jaxson Dart passed for 515 yards and six touchdowns and Jordan Watkins had a career receiving day, lifting No. 19 Mississippi to a 63-31 win over Arkansas on Saturday afternoon in Fayetteville, Ark.

Dart completed 25 of 31 passes and rushed for 47 yards for Ole Miss (7-2, 3-2 Southeastern Conference) as it snapped a five-game winning streak by the home team in the series.

Five of his TD passes went to Watkins, a senior wide receiver who set a career high in TDs and receiving yards (254) on eight receptions.

Cayden Lee had five catches for 127 yards while tight end Dae’Quan Wright had nine receptions for 99 yards and two TDs.

Injured early, Taylen Green finished 10 of 14 for 158 yards for Arkansas (5-4, 3-3). Backup Malachi Singleton was 11 for 14 for 207 yards with one touchdown pass to Luke Hasz. Andrew Armstrong had 135 yards on six catches.

After Arkansas stuffed the visitors on fourth-and-goal at the 1 in the first quarter, Rebels linebacker TJ Dottery sacked Green in the end zone, causing a fumble that Princely Umanmielen recovered at 6:56.

Green was hurt on a 14-yard run just over a minute later. Matthew Shipley soon banged a career-long 55-yard field goal to put up the first points.

On the second play in the second, Dart tossed a play-action TD pass to Wright for four yards to move the advantage to 14-3.

Dart found Watkins for 62- and 66-yard scores on the next two series for a 28-3 lead with over 10 minutes remaining, but Rashod Dubinion tallied from six yards out to cut the deficit.

Dart, who passed for 294 yards in the half, capped it with a 3-yard strike to Watkins for a 35-10 halftime edge.

In a high-scoring third, he hit Watkins for the fourth time from 11 yards, while Singleton dashed on a 13-yard TD at 9:49 for a 42-17 score.

Defensive tackle JJ Pegues bulled in for his sixth rushing score, and Watkins went 62 yards with his fifth TD to make it 56-17 at 4:48. Rodney Hill broke the scoring run with a short rush to end the quarter’s scoring.

Wright caught his second TD, a 12-yarder, from backup Austin Simmons at 5:36, and Hasz scored from 22 yards for the final margin.

–Field Level Media

Oct 26, 2024; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Taylen Green (10) runs the ball while defended by Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive lineman Deonte Anderson (91) during the second quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-Imagn Images

Taylen Green steers Arkansas to dominating win at Mississippi State

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Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green accounted for six touchdowns, four in the first half, as the Razorbacks zipped past the Mississippi State Bulldogs 58-25 on Saturday afternoon in Starkville, Miss.

Green rushed for a score and connected on TD passes to Luke Hasz (twice), Jordan Anthony and Andreas Paaske (twice) as the Razorbacks (5-3, 3-2 Southeastern Conference) forged a commanding 31-10 halftime edge.

A Boise State transfer, Green finished 23 of 29 for 314 yards with five TDs and an interception. He rushed for 79 yards on eight carries with a score.

Braylen Russell ran for 175 yards on 16 rushes. Matthew Shipley kicked three field goals of 27, 32 and 29 yards.

True freshman quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. was 22 of 31 for 309 yards, two TDs and two interceptions for Mississippi State (1-7, 0-5). Davon Booth rushed 93 yards on 17 carries and caught a TD pass.

The Bulldogs lost their seventh straight game, all yielding at least 30 points to the opposing offenses.

The Arkansas defense made the first significant play on the opening drive of a wild first quarter, forcing a Van Buren fumble that was recovered by the Razorbacks’ Landon Jackson at the Bulldogs 23.

Following a pair of Russell runs, Green scampered eight yards around the right side from eight yards at 13:06.

Van Buren rebounded on the next drive with a swing pass to Booth that went 54 yards to knot it 7-7 at 11:45.

Shipley’s 27-yard field goal made it 10-7. Arkansas later gambled on fourth-and-1 with Green lobbing a 14-yard play-action pass to a completely uncovered Hasz with 2:09 left in the first quarter as the Bulldogs defense sold out on a running play.

In the second quarter, Green tossed a perfect strike from 27 yards to Anthony for his first TD this season and a 24-7 advantage. The Razorbacks then made a goal-line stand on fourth down, stuffing backup quarterback Chris Parson for a 2-yard loss at 4:27.

Kyle Ferrie redeemed himself from an earlier miss by booting a 36-yard field goal, but Arkansas, which had 329 total yards in the first half, answered as Green found Paaske on a short throw.

Shipley’s 32-yard kick and Paaske’s second TD reception, a 7-yarder, made it a 31-point lead in the third.

Mississippi State’ sKevin Coleman Jr. (seven receptions, 92 yards) snagged a 31-yard score to cut the deficit to 41-17. Van Buren’s short TD run and two-point pass made it a two-score game, 41-25.

In the fourth, Shipley’s third kick, Hasz’s 15-yard TD reception and Rashod Dubinion’s short run capped the scoring.

–Field Level Media

Oct 19, 2024; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Tyrone Broken (5) attempts a catch as LSU Tigers cornerback Zy Alexander (14) and safety Sage Ryan (3) defend at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

No. 8 LSU rides balanced offense in rout of Arkansas

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Caden Durham ran for three touchdowns Saturday night and No. 8 LSU limited Arkansas to 38 yards on the ground in a 34-10 Southeastern Conference win in Fayetteville, Ark.

Durham rushed for 101 yards on 21 carries as the Tigers (6-1, 3-0) earned their sixth straight win. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier was an efficient 22-of-33 through the air for 224 yards, spreading his completions around to eight different receivers.

Meanwhile, the Razorbacks (4-3, 2-2) couldn’t replicate the success they had in their 19-14 upset of then-unbeaten Tennessee in their last game two weeks ago. Quarterback Taylen Green connected on 19 of 28 attempts for 239 yards with a touchdown and an interception but absorbed three sacks.

Arkansas drew within 16-10 at the 9:57 mark of the third quarter when Matthew Shipley drilled a 51-yard field goal, but made a big mistake on its next possession. Green’s first down pass over the middle was picked off by Whit Weeks and returned to the Razorbacks’ 2.

Durham scored on the next play and a 2-point conversion pass turned a tight game into a 24-10 LSU advantage. The Tigers pulled away in the fourth quarter via Damian Ramos’ 47-yard field goal with 11:57 remaining and a 1-yard touchdown run by Durham with 2:20 left.

LSU got off to a fast start, taking the opening kickoff and scoring less than five minutes into the game when Durham ripped off a 22-yard touchdown run. Ramos capped a 14-play drive on the Tigers’ next possession with a 33-yard field goal, the first of his four field goals on the day.

Ramos made it 13-0 by bombing a 48-yarder with 13:04 left in the first half, six plays after Rashod Dubinion lost a fumble. The Razorbacks finally got something going on their next possession as Green found Andrew Armstrong for a 25-yard strike with 8:25 remaining in the half.

But another ball-control drive for LSU restored a two-score lead when it chewed up 5:15 of clock prior to Ramos’ 33-yard field goal at the 3:10 mark, giving it a 16-7 cushion at halftime.

–Field Level Media

Sep 21, 2024; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed (10) runs the ball during the second half against the Bowling Green Falcons at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images.

No. 24 Texas A&M, Arkansas set for another Southwest Classic

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After meeting in the Southwest Classic in the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys in nine of the past 10 years, No. 24 Texas A&M and Arkansas will play the final game in the series at the Arlington, Texas, stadium on Saturday.

Texas A&M (3-1, 1-0 SEC) may be without starting quarterback Conner Weigman for a third straight game since the sophomore injured his throwing shoulder against McNeese State on Sept. 7.

Aggies coach Mike Elko announced Monday that Weigman will be a game-time decision.

That means potentially more snaps for Marcel Reed, who came in against McNeese and started in the two Aggies victories that followed against Florida and Bowling Green.

Against the Falcons on Sept. 21, Reed threw for 173 yards and two touchdowns and led Texas A&M in rushing with 91 yards in a 26-20 victory.

“He’s got a big arm, he’s got tremendous athleticism. I still think there’s some progressions, reads, checks that he’s still working through,” Elko said about Reed’s progress. “I think those things have made tremendous strides from spring ball through fall camp.”

Arkansas (3-1, 1-0) has a dynamic quarterback of its own in Taylen Green. In a 24-14 win over Auburn last week, he struggled early, throwing interceptions on two consecutive Arkansas drives. But in the third quarter, Green responded with a 58-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Sategna. With Auburn’s defense closing in, Green scrambled to his left and hit Sategna on the 1-yard line, and Sategna fell into the end zone to put Arkansas ahead 14-7.

Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman said he is concerned with the need for scrambling with a line that isn’t allowing the Arkansas offense to reach its potential. On Saturday, Auburn had three sacks and seven tackles for loss, showing a unit struggling at the line of scrimmage.

“The most concerning part of offensive football from Saturday was the way that we did not protect the quarterback,” Pittman said. “And as we all know who played the game, at some point you’re going to try to do too much because you’re feeling like ‘we’ve got to make a big play because we’re not just consistently driving the ball down the field.’”

For Texas A&M, Elko doesn’t see their need for team improvements based on one or two different areas or focuses.

“It all boils down to consistency … and that’s a coach-speak answer to some degree,” said Elko. “I don’t think there’s the same glaring issue that shows up every single week, right? I think there’s progress.”

Arkansas leads the all-time series 41-35-3 but hasn’t beaten the Aggies since Sept. 25, 2021. In the nine-year series played at noted Arkansas alum Jerry Jones’ stadium in Arlington, Texas, the Razorbacks are 1-8.

While Pittman acknowledges the venue has helped Arkansas with Texas-based recruiting, it’s also a setback for the Razorbacks’ loyal fans back in Fayetteville.

“We’re playing one game out of the first five at home, and Auburn’s going to play five in a row at home, and I believe that it’s really hard to get the fan base excited if they don’t have an opportunity to see the hogs,” Pittman said. “This will give an opportunity at least one more every other year to have a home game.”

–Field Level Media

Auburn Tigers quarterback Hank Brown (15) walks off the field after the game as Auburn Tigers take on New Mexico Lobos at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. Auburn Tigers defeated New Mexico Lobos 45-19.

Auburn’s Hank Brown looks for encore vs. Arkansas

Posted on | by Field Level Media

As first impressions go, Auburn redshirt freshman Hank Brown sure delivered a good one in his first start at quarterback last week.

After throwing for four touchdowns, Brown and the Tigers should get a tougher challenge on Saturday when they host Arkansas in each team’s Southeastern Conference opener.

Auburn coach Hugh Freeze said the Razorbacks’ skill level is most apparent in the secondary.

“They’re going to challenge you,” Freeze said. “They are going to get up (and) press you and will bring a mixture of quarters, man and some three but they disguise it pretty good. In all of them, they’ll get up and press you, so it’s going to test us. How do we handle getting off the ball in press technique?”

The Tigers (2-1) saw a version of press technique against California two weeks ago — Freeze called it “press bail” on Monday — and it didn’t go well. The Golden Bears held them to 286 total yards and picked off four passes in a 21-14 upset win.

Auburn, however, responded with a decisive 45-19 victory over New Mexico last weekend.

Meanwhile, Arkansas (2-1) also is coming off a non-conference home win, although its 37-27 decision over UAB was a lot tougher than some might have expected. The Razorbacks didn’t take the lead for good until a 16-yard touchdown run by Ja’Quinden Jackson in the third quarter.

Jackson was the offense’s savior with Taylen Green struggling to hit passes, going only 11 of 26 for 161 yards with an interception. Jackson rushed for 147 yards on just 15 carries, earning praise from coach Sam Pittman.

“He makes extra yards when he carries the ball,” Pittman said. “We’ll block it up some but he always seems to be making somebody miss or running over somebody. Got really good vision back there.”

The Utah transfer has rushed for at least 100 yards in all three games this year, enabling Arkansas to gain more than 200 yards on the ground in each of the first three games.

–Field Level Media