Tag: Razorbacks

Nov 30, 2024; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers running back Marcus Carroll (9) runs the ball as Arkansas Razorbacks linebacker Stephen Dix Jr. (14) attempts the tackle during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Brady Cook’s late TD run lifts No. 21 Missouri over Arkansas

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Brady Cook ran for a 30-yard go-ahead touchdown with 1:53 remaining, lifting No. 21 Missouri to a 28-21 victory over Arkansas in a snowy Battle Line Rivalry matchup in Columbia, Mo.

Cook had a quiet day through the air (10-of-20, 168 yards), as the Tigers (9-3, 5-3 SEC) opted instead to lean on Marcus Carroll (22 carries, 90 yards, two TDs).

Taylen Green was 21-of-35 passing for 229 yards and added 53 rushing yards for the Razorbacks (6-6, 3-5). Ja’Quinden Jackson ran 18 times for 87 yards and three TDs to fuel the Arkansas offense, while Andrew Armstrong registered 128 yards on nine receptions.

Arkansas trailed by six with under 10 minutes remaining when Green and Jackson started to lead the Razorbacks down the field. Green found Armstrong for 25 yards on fourth-and-8, and two plays later, Jackson rushed up the middle for a 9-yard score as Arkansas slipped in front by a point.

However, the Tigers only needed about 2 1/2 minutes to get back in front, as Cook scrambled up the middle for the decisive score (and the Tigers tacked on the two-point conversion). The Razorbacks drove to the Missouri 32 in the final minute, but Green’s final three passes fell incomplete as the game ended.

Following a 7-7 first half, the visitors needed only six plays to find the end zone on their first possession of the third quarter, as Jackson found space on the right side and scampered for a 12-yard score.

Missouri then drove the ball inside the 10, but a false start penalty on fourth-and-1 scrapped any plans of a fourth-down attempt. Instead, the Tigers settled for a 28-yard field goal by Blake Craig, making it 14-10.

On the next play from scrimmage, Jackson fumbled and Carroll quickly made the Razorbacks pay with a 1-yard TD run with 13:45 remaining as the Tigers jumped ahead 17-14.

Following an Arkansas punt, Cook found Theo Wease for 70 yards to set up Craig’s 34-yard field goal, making it 20-14 with 9:39 to play.

Arkansas standout defensive lineman Landon Jackson was injured making a tackle in the first half. He was taken off on a stretcher and brought to a local hospital, where he reportedly had movement in all of his extremities.

–Field Level Media

Sep 28, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive back Dezz Ricks (10) intercepts a pass intended for Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Tyrone Broden (5) during the first half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

No. 24 Texas A&M comes back vs. Arkansas to win final Southwest Classic in Arlington

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Marcel Reed accounted for three scores Saturday and remained perfect as starting quarterback for the No. 24 Texas A&M Aggies, who improved to 2-0 in Southeastern Conference play by topping the Arkansas Razorbacks 21-17 in the final Southwest Classic held in Arlington, Texas.

With top quarterback Conner Weigman (shoulder sprain) unavailable for a third straight game, the Aggies (4-1 overall) continued with backup Reed, who went 11-for-22 for 163 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for another score. He moved to 3-0 as a starter.

Le’Veon Moss carried 13 times for 102 yards, and Noah Thomas caught six passes for 109 yards and a score as the Aggies improved to 12-1 in the past 13 series meetings.

Taylen Green was 23 of 41 for 279 yards, with a touchdown and an interception for Arkansas (3-2, 1-1). The SEC’s leading rusher at 118 yards per game, Ja’Quinden Jackson had just 37 yards on 10 carries and scored. Isaac TeSlaa had five catches for 120 yards and a TD.

The matchup between the two teams, who first played in 1903, was the final one in the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys. The series will continue on the Arkansas campus next year.

On the game’s third play from scrimmage, Green scrambled away from defenders and hit TeSlaa for a 75-yard score, but the Aggies evened it up when Reed found Thomas for a 58-yard catch-and-run score on their second series.

The first-quarter fireworks continued after Arkansas punter Devin Bale took off for 25 yards on a fake punt, keeping the drive alive for Jackson’s ninth TD and a 14-7 lead.

In the second quarter, Aggies defensive end Shemar Stewart disrupted a play in the backfield, forcing a fumble that was recovered by linebacker Scooby Williams at the Arkansas 10. Reed tied it two plays later on a five-yard keeper.

Kicker Kyle Ramsey, who had made just five of his nine field goal attempts coming into the game, gave the Razorbacks their third lead by drilling a 45-yarder to end a 10-play, 58-yard drive at 13:24 of the fourth.

However, the Aggies went 75 yards on the following series with Reed flipping a short pass to Trey Watson to make it 21-17 — their only lead — with nine minutes remaining.

Texas A&M sealed the game on Nic Scourton’s sack of Green and Jaydon Hill’s fumble recovery with 90 seconds left.

–Field Level Media

Sep 14, 2024; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Taylen Green (10) rushes in the second quarter as UAB Blazers edge Desmond Little (8) defends at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

Down 14, Taylen Green and Arkansas rally past UAB

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Ja’Quinden Jackson ran for 147 yards and a touchdown as Arkansas overcame an early two-touchdown hole to upend UAB 37-27 on Saturday in Fayetteville, Ark.

Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green ran for 96 yards and two touchdowns and finished 11-for-26 passing for 161 yards. His main target was Andrew Armstrong, who had a game-high eight catches for 137 yards. The Razorbacks (2-1) ran for 266 yards and averaged seven yards per carry.

Both teams were coming off disappointing losses. UAB (1-2) was the sharper team in the first quarter, opening the game with a 15-play drive that ended with a 27-yard field goal by Jonah Delange and took 7:27 off the clock.

Green’s second pass of the game was intercepted and run back to the Razorbacks 15 by Michael Moore. The Blazers only needed two plays to score from there with Jacob Zeno (23 of 32, 235 yards, three TDs, one INT) making a tap pass to Kam Shanks, who raced 15 yards to make it 10-0.

UAB, a three-touchdown underdog, scored on the first play of the second quarter to make it 17-3. Zeno fired to Amare Thomas on a quick slant, who went 34-yards for the score.

But Arkansas dominated the rest of the half. Braylen Russell finished a 12-play, 75-yard drive by Arkansas with a 2-yard TD plunge to make it 17-10. Green scrambled 14 yards on the Razorbacks’ next possession to tie the score before the teams traded field goals to make it 20-20 at halftime.

Arkansas took the lead for good on the first drive of the second half with Jackson scoring on a 12-yard run up the middle. The run put him over 100 yards for the eighth time in his career as a Razorback.

UAB cut the lead to 30-27 with 6:55 to go when Zeno threw his third touchdown pass of the game, a 21-yard toss to Dallas Payne to cap a 12-play, 83-yard drive. Green answered with a 9-yard touchdown run around the left side with 3:36 left.

Arkansas entered the game with the nation’s No 2 ranked offense, averaging 667.5 yards a game. They finished with 427.

UAB wide receiver Brandon Buckhaulter was stretchered off the field late in the first half. He was hit up high after his helmet had been twisted off after catching a quick screen. Per UAB’s radio sideline reporter, Buckhaulter had movement in all of his extremities.

–Field Level Media

Sep 7, 2024; Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks defensive back Jaheim Singletary (15) makes an interception over Oklahoma State Cowboys wide receiver Rashod Owens (10) during the second quarter at Boone Pickens Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images

No. 16 Oklahoma State rallies for wild 2OT win over Arkansas

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Ollie Gordon scored on a 15-yard run in double overtime as No. 16 Oklahoma State rallied from a 14-point second-half deficit to earn a 39-31 overtime victory over visiting Arkansas on Saturday at Stillwater, Okla.

After both teams missed field goals on their opening overtime possessions, Gordon ran for a score and caught a 2-point conversion pass from Alan Bowman for an eight-point lead. The Cowboys sealed the victory when Arkansas’ Rodney Hill was stopped on a fourth-down run from the 7-yard line.

Bowman was 27-of-48 passing for 326 yards and a touchdown for Oklahoma State, while Brennan Pressley had nine catches for 91 yards, with a 3-yard TD run. The Cowboys won with 59 rushing yards.

Taylen Green was 26-of-45 passing for 416 yards and a touchdown for Arkansas, while Ja’Quinden Jackson had 24 carries for149 yards and three first half TDs. The Razorbacks lost despite gaining 648 total yards to 385 for the Cowboys.

Oklahoma State used an 18-point fourth quarter to rally from a 14-point deficit in the second half, getting a pair of touchdowns from Pressley in the final 9:37 of regulation.

Arkansas got a 43-yard touchdown reception from Luke Hasz with 4:01 remaining to tie the game at 28.

The teams traded field goals in the final minute as Oklahoma State got a 38-yard kick from Logan Ward with 55 seconds remaining to take a 31-28 lead, but could not run more time off the clock after a false start penalty on fourth down. Arkansas took advantage of the extra time and tied it on a 45-yard field goal from Kyle Ramsey as time expired in regulation.

Jackson scored for Arkansas on two 5-yard TD runs in the first quarter and an 11-yard score in the second quarter for a 21-7 lead.

Oklahoma State’s lone score in the first half came on a 73-yard interception return from Kale Smith in the second quarter. The Cowboys lost linebacker Collin Oliver on the play to a left leg injury after he made the hit on Green that forced an errant throw.

Former annual rivals, Arkansas and Oklahoma State met for the first time since 1980. The Razorbacks still have a 30-16-1 lead in the all-time series.

–Field Level Media

Aug 29, 2024; Little Rock, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks run-in back Ja’Quinden Jackson (22) rushes for a touchdown in the first quarter as Pine Bluff Golden Lions defensive back Zach Williams (34) defends at War Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Arkansas manhandles UAPB with 10 TDs on 10 drives

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Taylen Green threw for two touchdowns and rushed for two scores Thursday night during a 49-point first half as Arkansas whipped Arkansas-Pine Bluff 70-0 in each team’s season opener in Little Rock.

Green, a transfer from Boise State, completed 16 of 23 passes for 229 yards while rushing for 88 yards on just six carries. He didn’t play in the second half as the Razorbacks flooded the field with fresh faces against the outmatched Golden Lions.

In fact, the game was such a mismatch that the teams opted at halftime to shorten the second half to two 10-minute quarters. However, that didn’t stop Arkansas’ backups from collecting three more touchdowns, giving them TDs on all 10 possessions.

Ja’Quinden Jackson ran for 101 yards and two touchdowns on just eight carries as the Razorbacks piled up 687 total yards — 279 on the ground. Fourteen different receivers caught passes for Arkansas, which averaged nearly 10 yards per snap and rolled up 34 first downs on 70 plays.

Mekhi Hagens completed 11 of 23 passes for 123 yards for UAPB, which managed only 130 yards and 10 first downs. Nine of the Golden Lions’ 11 drives ended in punts and the other two concluded as time expired in each half.

Jackson’s 8-yard scoring jaunt less than three minutes into the game initiated a 28-point first quarter blitz. Green added a 4-yard touchdown, followed by a 46-yard score from Jackson and Rodney Hill’s 4-yard touchdown at the 1:15 mark.

Green got his arm going in the second quarter, hitting Tyrone Broden and Ty Washington with 9- and 23-yard scoring strikes, respectively. Then Green ran 36 yards for a touchdown nine seconds before halftime.

Backup quarterback Malachi Singleton played most of the second half and led two scoring drives. Braylen Russell rushed for a 9-yard score at the 6:13 mark of the third quarter, followed by Singleton’s 4-yard touchdown with 8:14 remaining in the game.

Tyrell Reed Jr. capped the scoring with a 4-yard run with 36 seconds left.

–Field Level Media

Nov 18, 2023; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback KJ Jefferson (1) rushes in the third quarter against the FIU Panthers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas won 44-20. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Arkansas QB KJ Jefferson enters transfer portal

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Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson is in the transfer portal, several outlets reported Monday.

As a graduate transfer, Jefferson will be immediately eligible to play in 2024.

Jefferson has spent five years with the Razorbacks and thrown for 7,911 yards, 67 touchdowns and 18 interceptions on 65.1 percent passing. In 2023, his numbers took a slight dip from recent seasons with 2,107 yards, 19 touchdowns and a career-high eight picks.

Jefferson also ran for 447 yards and two touchdowns in 2023 and has gained 1,876 yards rushing and scored 21 rushing touchdowns over five seasons.

During Jefferson’s time on campus, Arkansas recovered from some lean years to go 9-4 in 2021 (with an AP ranking as high as No. 8) and 7-6 in 2022. But the Razorbacks fell to 4-8 (1-7 SEC) in 2023, and the program hired its former head coach, Bobby Petrino, as the new offensive coordinator under Sam Pittman.

Jefferson hails from Mississippi and was a four-star prospect coming out of high school. He earned MVP honors at both the Outback Bowl after the 2021 season and the Liberty Bowl after the 2022 campaign.

–Field Level Media

Nov 11, 2023; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback KJ Jefferson (1) gets past Auburn Tigers linebacker Elijah McAllister (11) during the second quarter at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports

Arkansas QB KJ Jefferson to enter transfer portal

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson will enter the transfer portal, he announced in a social media post Saturday.

“It has been a dream to be captain and QB1 at the University of Arkansas,” Jefferson wrote on Instagram. “Accomplishing those records and being mentioned amongst the great QBs in Razorback history was an honor, but the memories and friendships I’ve made with my coaches and teammates along the way are what I’ll cherish the most.

“To the fans, I can’t express my gratitude enough for all of the support I’ve received from this great state. I hope you’ve enjoyed watching me grow as a man and a player as much as I’ve enjoyed representing this state and university. You accepted me as one of your own, and for that, I’m forever grateful and in your debt.”

The 6-foot-3, 247-pound Sardis, Miss., native totaled 7,911 yards passing and 67 touchdowns in his career at Arkansas. Prior to 2023, he had two straight seasons where he rushed for at least 600 yards and six touchdowns.

Arkansas finished the 2023 season a disappointing 4-8 with Jefferson throwing for a career-low 2,107 yards and eight interceptions, and only adding 447 yards and two touchdowns via the ground.

However, his previous three seasons as a starter did enough to establish his talent, and he is expected to be an attractive QB option in the portal, with schools like South Carolina and Auburn as possible destinations for Jefferson.

In a 44-20 win over Florida International in November, Jefferson broke Brandon Allen’s school record of 64 TD passes and Tyler Wilson’s passing yardage mark of 7,765 yards.

Before Jefferson officially stated his intentions, Arkansas grabbed Boise State transfer quarterback Taylen Green via the portal on Dec. 12.

–Field Level Media

Missouri State Bears head coach Bobby Petrino during the bears win on the Western Illinois Leathernecks at Plaster Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. Tmsu00310

Bobby Petrino back at Arkansas as offensive coordinator

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Bobby Petrino is returning to Arkansas as the offensive coordinator under Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman.

Petrino was the head coach in Fayetteville from 2008-11, compiling a 34-17 record with three bowl games.

He replaces Dan Enos, who was fired last month following a 7-3 home loss against Mississippi State.

Per ESPN, Petrino will receive $1.35 million in 2024 and $1.5 million over the following two seasons.

Petrino, 62, spent the 2023 season at Texas A&M as the offensive coordinator for Jimbo Fisher, who was fired on Nov. 12.

Petrino also has been a head coach in the college ranks at Louisville (2003-06, 2014-18), Western Kentucky (2013), and FCS program Missouri State (2020-22). He went 3-10 as head coach of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons in 2007.

The Razorbacks finished 4-8 this season, including 1-7 in the Southeastern Conference.

–Field Level Media

Missouri State Bears head coach Bobby Petrino during the bears win on the Western Illinois Leathernecks at Plaster Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. Tmsu00310

Reports: Arkansas preparing to hire Bobby Petrino for OC job

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Bobby Petrino and Arkansas appear to be headed for an unlikely reunion.

Arkansas is finalizing a deal to make Petrino its next offensive coordinator, ESPN and 247Sports reported Tuesday.

After ESPN reported that Arkansas was “vetting” its former head coach, 247Sports reported that “the deal is done,” only missing Petrino’s signature.

Petrino, 62, spent 2008-11 as the Razorbacks’ coach and led them to a Cotton Bowl win in the 2011 season. But he was fired in April 2012 after a motorcycle accident led to the revelation that he was conducting an extramarital affair with an athletic department employee.

Arkansas fired offensive coordinator Dan Enos midway into his first season in the role, but Sam Pittman will return after the Razorbacks’ 4-8 campaign. Arkansas finished the season ranked 70th in the country in scoring (26.6 points per game).

Petrino spent the 2023 season as offensive coordinator at Texas A&M, which fired head coach Jimbo Fisher earlier this month. Petrino’s unit still managed to rank 25th in the nation at 34.2 ppg despite the Aggies’ disappointing 7-5 season.

Petrino compiled a 34-17 record in his four years at Arkansas. He has also served as head coach of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons (2007) along with Louisville (2003-06, 2014-18), Western Kentucky (2013) and FCS Missouri State (2020-22).

–Field Level Media

Nov 24, 2023; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Missouri Tigers running back Cody Schrader (7) rushes against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the second quarter at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Cody Schrader rips Arkansas as No. 9 Missouri hits 10 wins

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Southeastern Conference leading rusher Cody Schrader ran for a career-high 217 yards and a score as No. 9 Missouri reached double-digit wins for the first time since 2014, pasting Arkansas 48-14 on Black Friday in Fayetteville, Ark.

Schrader achieved the yardage on 27 carries, but the lion’s share of his work — 192 yards — came on 22 first-half attempts.

Quarterback Brady Cook was 12-of-20 for 112 yards, rushed for a score and tossed two touchdowns to Brett Norfleet, from 16 and 11 yards.

The win should put the Tigers (10-2, 6-2 SEC) into a New Year’s Six bowl game, with their only two losses coming to ranked opponents LSU and Georgia.

Missouri moved the Battle Line Rivalry series record to 11-4 in its favor against the Razorbacks (4-8, 1-7), who lost for the ninth time in the past 11 outings against their border rival.

Record-setting Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson was injured early in the first quarter and did not return. Jacolby Criswell went 12-for-20 for 96 yards with a TD pass in relief.

Schrader set up the game’s first score with a 36-yard run and soon plunged in from 2 yards — his ninth straight game with a rushing TD — at 9:12 of the first quarter.

On the next series, Jefferson scrambled for a 22-yard gain but took a hard hit, fumbled and clutched his left knee. He left the game with the assistance of trainers.

Harrison Mevis drilled a 24-yard field goal at the end of Missouri’s ensuing drive.

A scuffle ensued after Cook was hit out of bounds on the Arkansas sideline in the second quarter, and another tussle occurred a play later. Both sidelines had to be restrained while one fight had to be broken up.

Missouri’s Armand Membou and Arkansas’ Eric Gregory and Zach Williams were ejected.

When the fracas settled, Cook made it 17-0 on a 3-yard run.

Schrader’s 49-yard dash put the Tigers in field-goal range for Mevis, who made one from 22 yards for a 20-0 halftime score.

After Norfleet’s two TD receptions in the third, Jayden Jernigan recovered a fumble and rumbled 10 yards for a score to make it 41-0.

In the fourth quarter, the Razorbacks’ Andrew Armstrong caught an 8-yard pass from Criswell, and Isaiah Augustave (15 carries, 80 yards) scored on a 6-yard run.

Missouri’s Nathaniel Peat scored on a 1-yard run to cap the scoring.

–Field Level Media