LIVE BLOG: Hogs have to fight for 38-27 win over Bears

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Bobby Petrino is back on the field at Razorback Stadium for the first time in over a decade.

The reaction wasn’t particularly noticeable in pregame warmups with both teams on the field as he and Arkansas coach Sam Pittman met on the 45-yard line and chatted for a few minutes.

It is 90 degrees just a half-hour before kickoff as the Razorbacks host Missouri State, starting just after 6 p.m.

The will be broadcast on ESPN+ and SECN+. You can here the game here and on ESPN Arkansas radio stations 99.5 in Fayetteville, 95.3 in the River Valley, 96.3 in Hot Springs and 104.3 in Harrison-Mountain Home.

Follow along as we will have the key points during the game.

First Quarter

1Q 2:47: Missouri State is out-playing Arkansas, who is making mistakes with costly holding penalties and a fumble that killed a drive. The Bears drove 64 yards in 12 plays with running back Jarcardia Wright getting the final yard around right end for an early lead. Missouri State 7, Hogs 0

After Raheim “Rocket” Sanders fumbled going into the end zone, Missouri State ends the opening period driving and facing a key third-and-5 on their own 25-yard line.

The Bears are out-playing the Hogs, who keep shooting themselves in the foot and quarterbck Jason Shelley is showing he’s the real deal and playing like a typical Petrino quarterback, running just enough and hitting key passes.

Jason Shelley (Ted McClenning / HitThatLine.com)

Second Quarter

2Q 13:29: A 45-yard pass from quarterback Jason Shelley to wide receiver Naveon Mitchell set up the Bears who ended up settling for a 28-yard field goal by Jose Pizano. Missouri State 10, Hogs 0

2Q 10:36: The Razorbacks can’t get a handle on Shelley, who twisted Bumper Pool into knots in high school and did it again on a 24-yard touchdown scamper where he left the Hogs’ linebacker clutching air. Arkansas did get down to Rice in last year’s opening game by 17-0, which is the same position they are now. Missouri State 17, Hogs 0

2Q 8:25: After some straight talk from Pittman between possessions, the offense looked different. They drove 75 yards starting with a 20-yard pass from KJ Jefferson to Matt Landers, then Raheim Sanders ripped off 55 yards on 5 carries, getting the final three on the left side. The offensive line looked to be in a different gear that drive. Missouri State 17, Hogs 7

2Q 1:04: The Hogs keep things in high gear stopping Missouri State and needing just two plays for Kefferson to connect with wide receiver Jadon Haselwood for a 38-yard scoring strike and making this tight at halftime. Missouri State 17, Hogs 14

Third Quarter

3Q 4:28: Hogs can’t get into end zone, but tie the game on a 27-yard field goal by Cam Little. Hogs 17, Missouri State 17

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4Q 3:28: Missouri State didn’t take long to answer and on a fourth-and-inches Petrino pulled one out of the archives similar to the throw-and-catch against LSU in 2010 with the Hogs as Shelley found a wide open Ty Scott for a 47-yard touchdown. Missouri State 24, Hogs 17

The third quarter ends with the Bears driving into Razorback territory as their offense continues to eat up chunks of yardage.

Fourth Quarter

4Q 12:04: Bears drive into Razorback territory before the defense stiffens and they have to settle for a 31-yard field goal from Pizano.

4Q 11:38: Jefferson under-hands a shovel pass to Sanders, who breaks through a hole in the middle and rips off a 73-yard scoring play that will go down as a passing play but is more of a running play. Never mind that because it got the Hogs close again. Missouri State 27, Hogs 24

4Q 9:16: After the defense shut down Shelley and the Missouri State offense, Bryce Stephens, who had been getting close to breaking a big return all night finally got one. He brought a booming 57-yard punt back 82 yards to finally give the Hogs a lead. Hogs 31, Missouri State 27