FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas had chances.
The Razorbacks led at halftime, had the home crowd behind them and watched their defense create the type of turnover that usually swings rivalry games.
But none of that held up in the second half Saturday as Missouri’s run game and a late special-teams play sent Arkansas to a 31-17 loss at Razorback Stadium.
It was the kind of game Arkansas fans have seen before in this matchup. Missouri leaned on a patient, physical rushing attack, racking up 322 yards on the ground and controlling the final two quarters.
The Razorbacks, meanwhile, couldn’t keep drives alive after halftime and finished with just 246 total yards, far below the pace they needed to stay in step with a Tigers offense that rarely changed its approach.
Beau Pribula completed just four passes for Missouri, but that hardly mattered. His legs and the Tigers’ blocking won the line-of-scrimmage battle.
Pribula ran for 78 yards himself, and the Tigers’ running back rotation kept Arkansas’ defense on the field.
The Razorbacks struggled to get Missouri off schedule, and the pounding runs began to add up as the game wore on.
For Arkansas, a promising start turned into another frustrating finish in a rivalry that has not gone the Razorbacks’ way often in recent years.
Missouri turns halftime deficit into momentum
Arkansas delivered several positive moments in the first half.
True freshman quarterback KJ Jackson showed poise when he hit O’Mega Blake for a 16-yard touchdown in the first quarter. That tied the score at 7-7 and gave the Razorbacks some early rhythm.
The biggest swing for Arkansas came later when linebacker Bradley Shaw scooped up a Beau Pribula fumble and returned it 32 yards for a touchdown.
The play put Arkansas in front 14-7 and sent Razorback Stadium into a full roar. Missouri answered to tie the game, but Camden Lewis’ field goal pushed Arkansas ahead 17-14 heading into halftime.
That was where Arkansas’ highlights ended.
Missouri needed only a handful of plays in the second half to steal back momentum.
The Tigers opened the third quarter with a steady possession before Ahmad Hardy ripped through the middle of Arkansas’ defense for a long touchdown run.
It gave Missouri a 20-17 lead and set the tone for the rest of the afternoon.
The Razorbacks couldn’t answer. Missouri kept pushing forward with its rushing attack, and Jamal Roberts added another touchdown to extend the lead.
Arkansas rotated Jackson and Taylen Green at quarterback but struggled to find a rhythm.
A combination of short drives, stalled possessions and missed opportunities kept the Razorbacks from regaining control.
Then came the moment that sealed everything.
Kevin Coleman Jr. fielded a punt in the fourth quarter, found a crease down the sideline and returned it 67 yards for a touchdown. The score made it 31-17 and erased whatever chances Arkansas had left.
Arkansas offense stalls, defense wears down
What Arkansas couldn’t overcome was Missouri’s pace and patience.
The Tigers didn’t hit many big plays outside the key touchdown runs, but they ran often and effectively.
Staying ahead of the chains forced Arkansas to defend long drives and left the Razorback offense on the sideline far too long.
The Razorbacks finished with only two drives longer than 26 yards. Even the early scoring possessions felt hard-earned.
In the second half, Missouri’s front limited Arkansas’ attempts to run or stretch the field, and the Razorbacks didn’t find consistency in the passing game.
Interim coach Bobby Petrino stayed focused on the game afterward and declined to address any questions about his future.
“I’m not going to get into any of that tonight,” he said.
Arkansas fans, meanwhile, left the stadium frustrated by another rivalry game dominated late by Missouri’s physical style.
The Razorbacks had the right start, but the Tigers controlled the areas that usually decide November SEC games — the run game, special teams and second-half execution.
Missouri’s approach wasn’t complicated, and Arkansas couldn’t stop it often enough to change the outcome.
Key takeaways
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Arkansas couldn’t slow Missouri’s 322 rushing yards. The Tigers controlled the second half with steady ground production.
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A fourth-quarter punt return hurt the Razorbacks’ comeback hopes. Kevin Coleman Jr.’s 67-yard touchdown sealed the loss.
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Arkansas’ offense faded after halftime. The Razorbacks tallied only 246 total yards and struggled to sustain drives.
