Mississippi State beats Arkansas football: Highlights from Week 8 college football game
Arkansas football returns home Saturday after a four-game road trip, hoping to turn the tide and start a late-season surge toward bowl eligibility.
The Razorbacks (2-5, 0-4 SEC) will face Mississippi State (3-3, 0-3) as the only two winless teams in the SEC West. Arkansas is coming off a failed comeback bid against No. 11 Alabama, while Mississippi State beat Western Michigan two weeks ago before its BYE.
Beginning with Mississippi State, Arkansas will play four of its final five regular-season games at Razorback Stadium, including three of its final four SEC contests. This season marks the first time since 1925 that Arkansas has played each of its first four conference games away from home.
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KJ Jefferson has completed 124-of-188 passes (66.0%) for 1,450 yards and 14 touchdowns while also rushing for 162 yards and a score through seven games this season. Jefferson, who has thrown for at least one touchdown in each of his last 18 games under center, ranks first on Arkansas’ career touchdown responsibility list with 82
Arkansas leads the all-time series against the Bulldogs 18-14-1, but Mississippi State won in blowout fashion last year, dismantling the Razorbacks 40-17.
Follow along to get live updates, scores and highlights from the Arkansas-Mississippi State game:
Arkansas vs. Mississippi State score
Arkansas football vs. Mississippi State live updates, highlights
Fourth Quarter
A last-ditch Hail Mary attempt from Arkansas falls incomplete, and Mississippi State hangs on for a 7-3 win. A tough season has found a new low point.
Mississippi State misses a field goal and the Arkansas offense will have one more chance, needing to go 75 yards to win the game.
Arkansas' defense forces a three-and-out. One last chance for the Razorbacks' offense, which will start this latest drive from its own 17 with 2:56 remaining. Arkansas has all three timeouts.
Arkansas has the ball at its own 24-yard line with seven minutes remaining.
Chaos ensued midway through the fourth quarter. Mississippi State looked like it was going for it on 4th-and-short, only for a bad snap to be returned for an Arkansas touchdown. However, the Bulldogs were called for false start, nullifying the play and forcing Zach Arnett to punt.
Arkansas had another offensive series with some momentum, but KJ Jefferson is picked off on third-and-long. Jefferson had to force a pass down the field after being sacked on second down. There are 9:11 remaining, with the Bulldogs up 7-3.
Mike Wright explodes for a 63-yard touchdown run, but it's coming back due to an illegal blindside block. Arkansas defense catches a break there, as the Razorbacks were completely fooled by the read-option. One play later, and Mississippi State will punt.
Third Quarter
We head to the fourth quarter with Mississippi State leading Arkansas 7-3. Moments ago, the Bulldogs faced a third down from their own one-yard line, but Justin Robinson made a terrific play for a 30-yard reception.
Cam Little trotted out on the field for a 51-yard field goal, but there's a delay of game penalty and Arkansas punts. At least it's a good one from Fletcher, who pins Mississippi State at its own two. Inexcusable penalty, though, from the Hogs.
No blame should fall on the defense's shoulders. The Razorbacks just forced a clutch three-and-out after the turnover. Mississippi State only has 154 yards of offense with 10:00 remaining in the third quarter. The problem is Arkansas only has 99.
Arkansas' first drive of the second half ends in a fumble recovered by the Mississippi State defense. The Razorbacks went for it on fourth-and-one, trying the tush push, and it resulted in a fumble by KJ Jefferson. That's a disastrous start to the third quarter.
Second Quarter
The Razorbacks are booed off the field, heading to the locker room with just 78 yards of offense and trailing Mississippi State 7-3.
Landon Jackson dropped an interception that would have given the Razorbacks great field position on what should be their final drive of the half. Instead, they'll start from their own 16 with 2:12 remaining in the half.
Two-straight punts for the Arkansas offense after Mississippi State took the lead. KJ Jefferson doesn't look settled in the pocket, and the offensive line just can't pick up a blitz. This has been a demoralizing showing from the offense.
The Bulldogs score on a nine-play, 69-yard drive that lasted 4:32. Mississippi State gashed Arkansas on the ground during that drive. Despite the great start for the Arkansas defense, it is Mississippi State who leads 7-3 early in the second quarter.
Touchdown Mississippi State, 13:03. Mike Wright finds Woody Marks for a 2-yard score.
First Quarter
First quarter ends with Arkansas leading 3-0, but Mississippi State is in the middle of a fantastic drive. Bulldogs will have second-and-two from the Arkansas 17 when the second quarter begins.
The teams exchange punts Neither offense has found a groove through the first quarter, with just 2:35 remaining in the period.
Still, no life for the Arkansas offense, who goes three-and-out on its second possession. A booming punt from Max Fletcher pins the Bulldogs at their own 10.
The Arkansas defense gets another stop on the Bulldogs' second drive, with Landon Jackson blowing up a first down run and Jayden Johnson capitalizing with a tackle for loss to put Mississippi State behind the chains. After the punt, Arkansas will take over at its own 25.
A pick play on third down doesn't get executed, and Arkansas has to settle for a field goal despite the terrific field position. Of course, Cam Little is true and the Hogs lead 3-0 early.
Field Goal Arkansas, 12:30. Cam Little is good from 24 yards out.
The first pass from Mike Wright is intercepted by Arkansas safety Al Walcott. The Hogs will start their first drive from the Mississippi State 35.
Pregame
Arkansas wins the toss and defers to the second half. Mike Wright and the Mississippi State offense will get us started.
Today's captains for Arkansas are KJ Jefferson, Brady Latham, Trajan Jeffcoat and Landon Jackson.
Dwight McGlothern, Jaylon Braxton, Chris Paul Jr. and Cam Ball are all dressed and going through warmups for the Razorbacks. McGlothern is a pleasant surprise, based off Pittman's comments earlier this week.
Mississippi State running back Jo'Quavious Marks is dressed and going through pregame warmups with the Bulldogs. Marks was questionable for this game with an injury.
As of Wednesday, this was the last Arkansas injury report. Raheim Sanders and Dwight McGlothern aren't expected to play, but three defensive starters could return today against the Bulldogs.
Mississippi State quarterback Will Rogers will not play today, according to a report from ESPN. Vanderbilt transfer Mike Wright will get the start in his place.
What time and channel is the Arkansas football vs. Mississippi State game on?
When: 11 a.m. CT
Channel: ESPN
Where: Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Ark.
Betting line: Arkansas by 6.5; Over/Under of 49.5
This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Mississippi State beats Arkansas football: Highlights from Week 8
