First half recap: Arkansas leads shootout with BYU
It took a few drives to get going, but both teams found magic in their offense.
For six straight possessions in the first half, each team took turns scoring. BYU scored three touchdowns while Arkansas found the end zone twice, and kicked a field goal.
Near the end of the half, it would be Arkansas that found a way to seperate.
The Razorbacks stopped BYU with 5:18 remainning in the 1st half when Latavius Brini recovered a fumble forced by Drew Sanders. Arkansas turned that into a four-yard touchdown pass from K.J. Jefferson to Matt Landers.
Hudson Clark halted BYU’s next possession by picking off Cougar QB Jaren Hall. Jefferson again found the end zone by connecting with Rashod Dubinion with 0:40 to go in the half to take the 31-21 lead.
Jefferson ended the half with 242 yards and three touchdowns, contributing to Arkansas’ 373 yards of total offense.
Guess who's back
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For the first time since the 4th quarter of the Alabama game, KJ Jefferson returned to the field.
He got the start against BYU behind center, and led the Razorbacks on a promising drive before the drive ended on an unfortunate fumble by Raheim Sanders.
Jefferson completed 2-of-3 passes for 19 yards on his first drive.
Getting revenge
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Arkansas’ defense shut down BYU on their first possession.
The lone play that gained yards for the Cougars was a three-yard rush by Puka Nacua on 2nd down.
BYU was forced to punt, setting up Arkansas with 1st and 10 at their own 1-yard line.
Rocket fires up
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Raheim Sanders rushed for 22 yards on three carries on Arkansas’ second drive, but the Arkansas offense elected to pass the football on three straight plays, all ending in incompletions.
The drive ends with a punt, setting BYU up at their own 18-yard line.
BYU strikes first
The Razorbacks were believed to have stopped BYU on an eight-play drive that covered 47 yards. However, a 31-yard pass from Jaren Hall to Puka Nacua on 4th down set up BYU with 1st-and-goal from the Arkansas five-yard line.
On the next play, Hall connected with Issac Rex for a score, giving BYU the early lead.
BYU caught a break on the third play of the drive, when Dwight McGlothern was called for pass interference. The 15-yard penalty allowed BYU to earn an extra six plays, setting up the 4th down conversion.
1st Quarter- BYU 7 Arkansas 0 (5:39)
Punching back
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Arkansas quickly responded to BYU’s score with a score of their own.
The Razorbacks took nine plays to drive 75 yards, and capped the drive with a 15-yard rush by Sanders. The score was Sanders’ sixth score of the year, which is a new career-high.
1st Quarter- Arkansas 7 BYU 7 (2:37)
Let the wild west shootout begin
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BYU answered Arkansas’ touchdown by re-taking the lead.
The Cougars moved 75-yards in four plays to jump back in front. Kody Epps was on the receiving end of Hall’s second touchdown pass of the game. The duo connected on a 21-yard pass.
1st Quarter- BYU 13 Arkansas 7 (1:11)
Hogs take the lead
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The shootout continues.
Arkansas opened the 2nd quarter on a high note by putting together a 10-play drive. Jefferson found Trey Knox on a six-yard touchdown score. A successful extra point gave Arkansas a 14-13 lead in the quarter.
2nd quarter- Arkansas 14 BYU 13 (12:19)
Add another
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For the 5th straight possession, a drive has resulted in a score.
Puka Nacua’s second touchdown of the game was a five-yard rush to put BYU back in front. The drive took seven plays and covered 75-yards.
2nd quarter- BYU 21 Arkansas 14 (9:48)
Trimming the lead by a little
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Arkansas scored on their third straight possession, but did so on a field goal by Cam Little.
Arkansas drove down to the BYU 16-yard line, but an incomplete pass on 3rd down forced Arkansas to take the free points.
2nd quarter- BYU 21 Arkansas 17 (6:46)
Stopping the trend
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For the first time in six possessions for both teams, the defense stopped a scoring drive.
Arkansas’ defense ended a BYU four-play drive by recovering a fumble, and keeping BYU out of the end zone.
Back in front
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After ending BYU’s previous drive, Arkansas was able to pull back in front with a fourth-straight scoring drive.
Jefferson’s second touchdown pass of the game went to Matt Landers, and would give the Razorbacks the lead, 24-21.
2nd quarter- Arkansas 24 BYU 21 (3:39)
The final drive
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For the second-straight drive, Arkansas’ defense forced a turnover.
Arkansas turned a Hudson Clark interception into six points. After Clark’s pick, Jefferson found Rashod Dubinion in the end zone for his third touchdown of the day, which extended Arkansas’ lead to 31-21 with 2:22 remaining in the 2nd quarter.
BYU’s last drive was cut short due to the end of the half.
