Starkville Celebrates as Razorbacks Dominate Bulldogs
Starkville, Mississippi – The Arkansas Razorbacks took to the field this Saturday, not just to play but to show off their strength, racking up a stunning 58-25 victory against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Following a challenging loss to the Louisiana State Tigers, the Hogs were eager to bounce back, and boy, did they deliver!
Setting the Tone for the Season
This game was crucial for head coach Sam Pittman and his squad. Sitting at 2-2 in Southeastern Conference play, they needed a win to regain momentum as they head toward the back half of the regular season. “Our kids played really hard, and to come on the road and win like we did is really, really special,” Pittman shared after the game.
As for the Bulldogs, they were searching for a spark themselves, entering the game with a troublesome 0-4 record in SEC play. Coming off a narrow loss to the Texas A&M Aggies, they were hoping for a comeback but ultimately faced another setback.
The Hogs Start Strong
From the first whistle, the Razorbacks came out firing! They scored an impressive 17 points in the first quarter, putting the Bulldogs on the back foot. In fact, they collected a whopping 329 total yards in the first half alone, while their defense held Mississippi State to just 10 points. Talk about setting the tone!
One of the most thrilling moments happened early on when senior defensive lineman Landon Jackson made a significant play, forcing and recovering a fumble on the third snap of the game. After that, the Hogs capitalized and scored on their next drive. It was clear that Arkansas meant business.
Unique Path to Victory
Despite their dominant performance, the Razorbacks had some unusual statistics on offense. Believe it or not, they went 0-7 on third downs but still secured a victory by 33 points! They were, however, 2-2 on fourth downs—a testament to their clutch moments.
Post-game, Pittman commented, “The other plays were just really good.” And who could argue? The offense was efficient, scoring on 10 of their 13 drives, marking an impressive 86% drive success rate.
The Star of the Show: Taylen Green
All eyes were on junior quarterback Taylen Green, especially after he dealt with a leg injury earlier in the season. After only limited action against LSU, he looked energized against the Bulldogs, proving he was back at full strength. Green lit up the field with six touchdowns and 314 passing yards, adding 79 rushing yards to his stat line!
With an exceptional performance, Green completed 23 of 29 passing attempts, highlighting his improved pocket awareness. One of the game’s highlights was his knack for avoiding a sack while outrunning two Bulldog defenders to score a touchdown in the first quarter.
Braylen Russell Shines
In the absence of senior running back Ja’Quinden Jackson, who re-aggravated an ankle injury, freshman Braylen Russell stepped up big time! Rushing for 175 yards, he made waves, recording a 75-yard long run and adding a catch for 11 yards. Russell became the first true Arkansas freshman since the legendary Darren McFadden to rush for over 175 yards in a game!
Pittman had full faith in Russell, saying, “I wanted him to know his old head coach thought a lot of him, and I was excited for him to take over.” Russell certainly did not disappoint!
Tight Ends Make Their Mark
The tight ends also had their share of the spotlight. Sophomore Luke Hasz had 59 yards and two touchdowns, while senior Andreas Paaske recorded 19 yards and two touchdowns of his own. This impressive showing marks the first time since 2015 that an Arkansas tight end duo has scored multiple touchdowns in a game. What a feat!
Defense Holds Strong
On the defensive side of the ball, the Hogs were equally impressive. Xavian Sorey led with 11 tackles, contributing to a collective total of 98 tackles during the game. They also managed to sack Bulldog quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. four times, proving their defensive prowess.
Looking Ahead
Next up for the Razorbacks is a showdown against Ole Miss in Fayetteville. With the Hogs brimming with confidence, this game is sure to be exciting. A win would even make them bowl eligible, adding an extra layer of motivation for the team as they strive for postseason play.
Pittman noted, “That’s not the ultimate goal, but it’s important that we reach the number for our kids to experience everything in what the SEC postseason play is.”
