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Final score and recap: Arkansas uses its defense to close out Kent State

jackson fuller, fort smith southwest times record
·6 min read

Arkansas football will play its first game of the season in Fayetteville on Saturday (3 p.m. CT, SEC Network) with Kent State coming to town to provide a little MACtion.

The matchup is the first meeting between the two programs. The Razorbacks opened the year with a convincing 56-13 win over Western Carolina at War Memorial Stadium, and the Hogs’ 43-point margin of victory is their largest under Pittman.

Quarterback KJ Jefferson began the 2023 campaign with a stellar four-touchdown showing in the Razorbacks’ win over the Catamounts, throwing for three scores and adding another one on the ground. Jefferson, who has thrown and rushed for a touchdown in a game 11 times in his career, sits second on Arkansas’ career touchdown responsibility list (71).

Sep 2, 2023; Little Rock, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks defensive back Jayden Johnson (8) celebrates after an interception against the Western Carolina Catamounts during the fourth quarter at War Memorial Stadium. Arkansas won 56-13. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 2, 2023; Little Rock, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks defensive back Jayden Johnson (8) celebrates after an interception against the Western Carolina Catamounts during the fourth quarter at War Memorial Stadium. Arkansas won 56-13. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

The Golden Flashes are coming off a 56-6 trouncing at the hands of UCF in Week 1. Kent State is led by first-year coach Kenni Burns, who revamped the roster in the transfer portal during the offseason.

With a win Saturday, Arkansas would start 2-0 for the third consecutive season under head coach Sam Pittman. The Razorbacks have not started 2-0 in three consecutive seasons since 1998-2000 under Houston Nutt.

Running back Rocket Sanders is out with a knee injury, while linebacker Chris Paul Jr. is suspended for the first half of Saturday's game after being ejected with a targeting penalty in the fourth quarter against Western Carolina.

More: Arkansas football running back Rocket Sanders status out for Week 2 game against Kent State

More: Here's how Arkansas football will honor the lives of Alex Collins and Ryan Mallet in 2023

Follow along to get live updates, scores and highlights from the Arkansas-Western Carolina game:

Arkansas vs. Kent State score

Arkansas football vs. Western Carolina live updates, highlights

Fourth Quarter

  • Impressive goal-line stand from the Arkansas defense. Landon Jackson absolutely blew up a fourth-and-goal run from the one, two plays after Chris Paul Jr. did the same thing. Just 6:05 remaining on the scoreboard.

  • Touchdown Arkansas, 10:16. KJ Jefferson does a little swagger step off the field. He rolled to his left and found Andrew Armstrong for a 9-yard score. Jefferson's been pretty darn good despite the offensive struggles today. Arkansas leads 28-6.

  • Fourth-and-two early in the final period, and KJ Jefferson calls his own number. The senior quarterback is absolutely carrying this Arkansas offense today. The Razorbacks have needed his ability to run.

Third Quarter

  • Another good stop by the Arkansas defense. Jaheim Thomas applied the pressure on third down, while Keivie Rose and Chris Paul Jr. came up with the sack.

  • Announced attendance of 73,173 in the Razorbacks first Fayetteville game of the season.

  • Touchdown Arkansas, 5:50. Rashod Dubinion plunges in from two yards out off an interesting formation that featured three running backs. That was a great drive from Jefferson, who once again found Isaac TeSlaa on a really difficult catch. Hogs lead 21-6..

  • Chris Paul Jr. returns from his targeting suspension and immediately slots in as a starting linebacker alongside Jaheim Thomas.

  • Wow. Arkansas turns the ball over on downs inside its own 35. Did not like the play call on 4th down and there was another play that looked close but no challenge came.

Second Quarter

  • Dwight McGlothern played the first defensive snap, and we haven't seen him since. Jaheim Singletary and Keey'yon Stewart have played almost every snap at cornerback.

  • Touchdown Arkansas, 2:20. A wild series of events. KJ Jefferson bobbled the snap, rolled around and eventually found Andrew Armstrong wide open in the back of the end zone. The score came a few plays after a huge catch by Isaac TeSlaa on third-and-long, and one play after a delay of game from the one-yard line. Alas, that was a much-needed score for the Hogs, who now lead 14-6.

  • Field Goal Kent State, 6:29. The Arkansas defense has bent, but hasn't broken in this one. Some of the transfers on defense are really shining today. The Razorbacks lead 7-6.

  • Yikes. Another three-and-out for Arkansas. The run game just cannot get going this season no matter who is playing on the offensive line and who is carrying the football.

First Quarter

  • First quarter comes to a close with Arkansas leading 7-3 despite just 21 yards of total offense.

  • Touchdown Arkansas, 1:12. There isn't any rhythm from the Arkansas offense right now, but the defense comes up big with a pick-six from Antonio Grier. Perfect read by the linebacker in what was his first defensive snap as a Razorback. Arkansas leads 7-3.

  • Field Goal Kent State, 3:24. The Golden Flashes had a great drive going before another sack on third down. It's clear that Kent State is wanting to use as much of the clock as possible, and Arkansas trails for the first time this season.

  • Quick three-and-out for the Arkansas offense on its first drive. AJ Green got the start at running back. Two carries for six yards on the first two snaps.

  • Arkansas forces Kent State to punt on its opening drive. Good pursuit by Trajan Jeffcoat on third down.

  • True freshman Brad Spence gets the start at linebacker today along with Jaheim Thomas. Huge vote of confidence from the coaching staff.

Pregame

  • Arkansas wins the toss and defers to the second half. Kent State will get the ball to start this one.

  • Today's captains for Arkansas are KJ Jefferson, Brady Latham, Trajan Jeffcoat and Landon Jackson. Cam Little also representing, but he won't make the walk to midfield for the coin toss as only four captains are allowed.

  • Andrew Chamblee looks set to remain the starting left tackle today. From left-to-right, the starting offensive line is Chamblee, Latham, Limmer, Josh Braun and Patrick Kutas.

  • There were rumors all week about a Rashod Dubinion injury. Sam Pittman squashed those rumors Wednesday, and Dubinion is dressed on game day for the Razorbacks. This is a massive opportunity for all off the running backs to seize a starter's role with Sanders out.

  • Antonio Grier is taking first-team reps at linebacker alongside Jaheim Thomas during warm-ups. Jordan Crook started with Thomas last week, and Chris Paul Jr. is suspended for the first half today due to a targeting penalty.

  • Brady Latham is dressed and warming up with Arkansas after missing the first game of the season against Western Carolina. That's a welcome sign for the Razorbacks and should be a big help for a run game missing Rocket Sanders today.

What time and channel is the Arkansas football vs. Kent State game on?

  • When: 3 p.m. CT

  • Channel: SEC Network

  • Where: Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville

  • Betting line: Arkansas by 38.5; Over/Under of 58.5

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Final score and recap: Arkansas uses defense to close out Kent State