Arkansas – Kent State: LIVE Second Half updates, scores and highlights
After the first 30 minutes of action from Fayetteville, Arkansas leads Kent State 14-6.
The Hogs have looked putrid at times on offense and have struggled to move the ball on the ground, once again. AJ Green has 8 carries for 53 yards, but he’s the only Hog in double figures rushing. KJ Jefferson is also only 4-9 for 48 yards and one touchdown through the air.
Credit to Arkansas’ defense, as they’ve stepped up. Antonio Grier had a pick six to get the Hogs on the board and they’ve held the Flashes to only two field goals so far.
Arkansas needs to put it together and get the offense going in the second half, as they’ll get the ball to start.
Follow along below as we give you drive-by-drive and score-by-score updates from all of the second half action between Arkansas and Kent State.
Arkansas 1st Drive
Arkansas is stopped short of a first down after three rushing plays. They decide to go for it on 4th and inches, and questionably give it to Dominique Johnson on an end-around and he’s stuffed in the backfield. Turnover on downs. Kent State takes over at Arkansas 32.
Kent State 1st Drive
The Arkansas defense comes out fighting after the offensive blunder. The Hogs back up Kent State as the Flashes fail to get any positive yardage. Alaimo is swarmed on 3rd down and throws it away before getting sacked. Kent State forced to punt.
Arkansas 2nd Drive
Arkansas faced with a 3rd and 6 after two short rushes. Jefferson finds Luke Hasz for a 9-yard gain to move the chains. On 2nd and 7, Jefferson nearly breaks a run but is tripped up shy of the first down marker. Next play, Jefferson keeps it for a pickup of 18 near midfield.
Ensuing play, Jefferson stands in the pocket and makes a nice throw to a wide open Jaedon Wilson for a pickup of 31. After a run for no gain and screen for a few yards, Jefferson makes a tough throw to TeSlaa who comes up with an amazing grab for the first. Jefferson nearly scampers into the endzone, but gets tripped up at the goal line.
Arkansas uses the jumbo package with three running backs in the backfield and hand it to Rashod Dubinion for the touchdown.
Arkansas leads 21-6
Kent State 2nd Drive
Alaimo finds recievers on back-to-back 13 and 16 yard completions out to midfield. Their drive stalls there as Alaimo is sacked on 3rd down by Chris Paul and Keivie Rose. Flashes are forced to punt it back to the Hogs.
Arkansas 3rd Drive
Jefferson rushes for a gain of 7 yards to open the drive. Dominique Johnson picks up the first down on the next play. Hogs pick up 9 yards over the next two plays, bringing up a 3rd down. AJ Green barely picks up the first to keep the drive going.
Kent State brings a blitz and sack Jefferson for a loss of 8 yards on first down. Alex Branch gets credited with the sack, but much like the first half, he’s down with an injury after hitting Jefferson.
END OF THE 3RD QUARTER
Arkansas leads 21-6
Luke Hasz makes his second grab of the game for a 7-yard gain. It brings up a 3rd and 11. Jefferson nearly gets sacked again, but runs out of it and picks up 9. On 4th and 2, the Hogs go with Jefferson on the keeper and he barrels forward to move the sticks. Jefferson just misses Armstrong on a corner route two plays later. On 3rd and long, Jefferson finds Hasz for the first down again.
Jefferson misses TeSlaa in the endzone, but the defender is called for pass interference. Next play, Jefferson rolls left and finds Andrew Armstrong for the touchdown.
Arkansas leads 28-6
Kent State 3rd Drive
Alaimo gets sacked on second down, but Kent State converts on 3rd and 5. The Flashes get a huge 33-yard gain on the following play to move the chains. Three plays later, Trell Harris catches a pass for 36 yards down to the Arkansas 3-yard line. The defense comes up with a big goal line stand, to force Kent State to turn it over on downs. Chris Paul had a tackle for loss and then on 4th and goal Landon Jackson and Trajan Jeffcoat stuff Garcia in the backfield. Arkansas takes over.
Arkansas 4th Drive
AJ Green takes back-to-back rushes for 10 yards to give the Hogs some breathing room and a fresh set of downs. Two plays later, the Hogs are faced with a 3rd and 3 after a run from Dubinion. Timeout Arkansas to think things over. Dubinion picks up the first down and keeps the drive moving after a late hit penalty.
Arkansas slows things down and tries to milk the clock on the ground. Dubinion has three straight rushes for 21 yards as the Hogs let the clock run out on a frustrating Saturday from Fayetteville.
Arkansas wins 28-6!
