Football
LIVE BLOG: Hogs go down in Flames in game leaving more questions
Razorbacks play last non-conference game against No. 23-ranked Liberty and the schedule gets tougher.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — This one is going to leave a foul taste in everyone’s mouth for awhile.
Liberty scored 21 points in the first half and made it stand up, keeping Razorbacks quarterback KJ Jefferson out of the end zone on a two-point conversion play with 1:11 left in the game for a 21-19 win.
It is a game where the No. 23 Flames out-played the Hogs in the first half and made it stand up in a second half that came down to the end.
Our running commentary is below.
Game Blog
A win over Liberty this afternoon makes Arkansas eligible for a bowl game.
Which one will depend on what they do in the last three SEC games.
The weather is bright and sunny, 58 degrees with a light breeze that makes feel cooler at times.
The Razorbacks, 5-3, are looking to qualify for their third straight bowl game after sitting home for a few years.
It may not be easy.
The Flames are coached by Hugh Freeze, who was at Ole Miss for a few years and has played games in Fayetteville before.
He’s never won here, though.
You can listen to the game at at HitThatLine.com or on the radio at ESPN Arkansas 99.5 in Fayetteville, 95.3 in the River Valley, 96.3 in Hot Springs and 104.3 in Harrison-Mountain Home.
It is televised on the SEC Network.
Follow along with the live blog where we talk about the highlights.
First Quarter
1Q :17: After Arkansas’ offense can’t really figure out how to run or pass consistency, Liberty gets moving and quarterback Johnathan Bennett completes a 31-yard pass to Demario Douglas, then hits Noah Frith with a 16-yard scoring play in the end zone. Flames 7, Hogs 0
The Hogs finish the first period with just 60 yards of offense and a lot of that came on a pass from KJ Jefferson, who seems a little off, and a 19-yard run by AJ Green just before the quarter ended.
Second Quarter
2Q 11:00: Okay, this is starting to look really rough. The Flames’ defense is shutting down the Hogs’ offense, that looks completely out of sync. Liberty partially blocks a punt and goes 53 yards in just five plays with Bennett throwing another touchdown to Douglas, this time from 20 yards out in the corner of the end zone against Hudson Clark. The Hogs have just 79 yards offense. Flames 14, Hogs 0
2Q :42: At least the halftime speech from coaches will be interesting on the Arkansas side. Liberty is stopping the Razorbacks’ offense. The Hogs’ defense is getting burned like a marshmallow in a campfire on a Saturday night. Bennett avoids a sack and finds Treon Sibley at the flag in the end zone for an 18-yard score. Flames 21, Hogs 0
END HALF: Cam Little lets Hogs avoid a complete first-half disaster as the offense takes advantage of a 22-yard completion to Landers and 15 yards was added to it on a hands to the face penalty against the Flames. Little hits a 50-yard field goal as time expires to at least avoid a shutout. Flames 21, Hogs 3
Second Half
3Q 5:28: The Hogs get Liberty bottled up deep and take advantage, getting a blocked punt by Quincey McAdoo that went out the back of the end zone. Flames 21, Hogs 5
Fourth Quarter
4Q 7:44: Liberty appears to just be trying to win the game and the Hogs are fighting for their lives. A 5-yard pass to Trey Knox cuts into the lead, then Raheim Sanders takes a direct snap in for a two-point conversion and it’s a touchdown and another two-point conversion to tie game, but the clock is running down quickly. Flames 21, Hogs 13
4Q 1:11: 34-yard pass to Matt Landers set up Jefferson’s 8-yard pass to Knox in the end zone. Jefferson tried to tie the game with a 2-point conversion but was stopped inches short. Flames 21, Hogs 19