Hogs tie program record, lead at TPC Sawgrass tournament

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — No. 20 Arkansas tied its lowest round in program history Monday afternoon and holds a four-shot lead on a loaded field in the 10th Sea Best Invitational at TPC Sawgrass.

After opening the day with a 2-over 282 to sit in seventh place overall, the Razorbacks regrouped and came out firing in the afternoon round, posting a 13-under 267 to tie the program record originally during the 2003 TaylorMade Intercollegiate.

The 267 is also the second-lowest score in the 10-year history of the Sea Best Invitational, sitting only behind a 15-under 265 by Florida two years ago. Arkansas now holds two of the three lowest scores in the history of the event after posting a 272 last year.

In a loaded field that features six of the top 30 teams in the country, Arkansas (-11) leads South Florida (-7) by four strokes and Liberty (-6) by five shots. The Razorbacks are nine strokes clear of No. 28 Tennessee (-2), the only other team in red figures.

Entering the day with two of the top 25 stroke averages in the country, senior Alvaro Ortiz and sophomore Mason Overstreet put on a show in the afternoon. Both players fired 5-under 65’s as Ortiz tallied one eagle and five birdies, while Overstreet recorded six birdies, including four on the back nine.

Luis Garza had the most consistent day, opening the tournament with a 3-under 67 and following that up with a 1-under 69 to sit T-4th overall and lead the team. William Buhl is tied with Ortiz and Overstreet at T-10th overall after rounds of 70-68 – 138 (-2) that featured four birdies in the afternoon.

Tyson Reeder and Landon Ernst are T-49th at 6-over, with Ernst competing as an individual.

The Razorbacks will tee off Tuesday morning in the final round, paired with South Florida and Liberty starting at 8:30 a.m. Live Stats will be available at Golfstat.com or via the Golfstat Live app.

Anderson on Hogs’ defensive struggles lately

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Arkansas coach Mike Anderson met with the media Monday ahead of the Razorbacks’ game with South Carolina on Tuesday night.

Razorbacks stay in Top 10 nationally for fourth straight week

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas held steady in the top-10 for the fourth-consecutive week, coming in at No. 10 in this week’s Road To Nationals weekly rankings with an average score of 196.310.

The Razorbacks recorded its fourth-straight score over 196 at Alabama, posting a 196.350 in Tuscaloosa.

It’s the fifth time in program history that Arkansas has had four-straight scores over 196, joining such streaks during the 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2016 seasons.

Arkansas remained one of the top beam squads in the country, coming in at No. 5 in the nation on the event with an average of 49.230. The Razorbacks have been ranked in the top 5 on the event since the start of the season.

Freshman Sophia Carter continues to lead the team, averaging a 9.880 as Arkansas’ highest individual ranked No. 14 on the event.

In total, five Razorbacks are in the top-100 individual rankings, including Freshman Sarah Shaffer (No. 99), who recorded a 9.900 at Alabama on beam.

The Razorbacks come in at No. 14 on each of the other three apparatus’, averaging a 49.100 on floor, a 49.000 on vault and a 48.980 on bars.

On vault, senior Braie Speed continues to be the Razorbacks best athlete, ranking No. 24 with an average of 9.860. Senior Amanda Wellick and Junior Sydney McGlone rank tied for 67th with an average of 9.820 each to round out the top-100.

Speed is also ranked No. 55 as the Razorbacks’ best on bars with an average of 9.825, while Wellick and freshman Sydney Laird are tied for No. 95 with an average of 9.795.

Shaffer is the highest-ranked on floor, coming in at No. 57 with an average of 9.845. The freshman recorded a 9.900 on floor at Alabama, becoming the only freshman in the SEC to score a 9.900 on two events over the weekend.

Arkansas has matchups with No. 1 Oklahoma, No. 5 Florida, No. 12 Denver and No. 15 Auburn left this season, along with the Mardi Gras Invitational meet in St. Louis that includes rematches against No. 2 LSU and No. 24 Missouri on Feb. 16.

The Razorbacks began the year as the preseason 19th-ranked team, and moved up to No. 11 following its week one score of 195.350 at LSU. Arkansas was ranked its highest this season at No. 8 following its 197.175 score against Georgia.

Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast : Monday

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast : Monday

Morning Rush Hour 2

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Jones’ commitment no surprise to big QB group

Andy Hodges
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John Stephen Jones has committed to play for Arkansas and nobody should really be surprised.

Considering he will be a third generation Razorback, has a Hog on his keychain and has always been a fan, it may be the least drama-filled player that is expected to sign Wednesday.

“The biggest factor was that the (Arkansas) coaches were awesome,” Jones told Dudley Dawson of WholeHogSports.com after making the announcement via Twitter.. “I’ve always been a big Razorback fan, but was able to get up there and spend some time with them and that was really the deciding factor for me.

“They are both incredible coaches and I got some time to spend with them this weekend and really get to know them and their families.”

At Dallas Highland Park, Jones threw for 4,911 yards with 61 touchdowns and just four interceptions his senior season, leading the Scots to their second straight Texas High School Championship in the Class 5A Division I.

He committed to Arkansas coach Chad Morris and offensive coordinator Joe Craddock on Sunday afternoon after an official visit to Fayetteville this weekend.

“The biggest factor was that the (Arkansas) coaches were awesome,” Jones said. “I’ve always been a big Razorback fan, but was able to get up there and spend some time with them and that was really the deciding factor for me.

“They are both incredible coaches and I got some time to spend with them this weekend and really get to know them and their families.”

He also had offers from Texas Tech, SMU, Kansas and some others, but they came later after seeing his performance through his senior season.

Jones passed for nearly 8,000 yards and 90 touchdowns the past two seasons while leading Highland Park to back-to-back championships.

As if that wasn’t enough, he capped it off completing 37-of-58 passes and throwing for 564 yards and four touchdowns and rushing for another in the state championship game at the Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium.

He led the Scots from 10 points down with three minutes left and threw a 16-yard touchdown pass with 34 seconds left for a 54-49 win. Jones was the first quarterback to throw for over 500 yards in a Texas high school title game.

He was named the offensive MVP of the state championship game, the Dallas Morning News SportsDay Area offensive player of the year and the Class 5A player of the year.

He is the 15th player who has either signed or committed to the Hogs ahead of national signing day Wednesday.

He will join a crowded quarterback room of potentially eight players and is the second quarterback in this signing class (Greenwood’s Connor Noland signed in the December early signing period).

He was greeted warmly by the only quarterback for the Hogs with any significant playing time this year, Cole Kelley.

For the one or two people that don’t already know, he is the grandson of former Hog and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. His father played for the Hogs under Ken Hatfield and is the chief executive officer of the Cowboys.

“My dad wanted what was best for me, but he is obviously a big Hog fan and is very happy I picked Arkansas,” Jones told Dawson at WholeHogSports.com.

Morning Rush Hour 1

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Eagles’ Peters injured, but still part of Eagles’ win

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — One of the best tackles of this generation, Jason Peters finally became a Super Bowl champion Sunday night following the Philadelphia Eagles’ 41-33 win over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII.

Despite being unable to play in the game due to a season-ending injury earlier in the season, Peters will still receive a ring. The 36-year old tackle had never been a part of a playoff win in his first 13 seasons in the NFL.

A nine-time Pro Bowl and six-time All-Pro offensive tackle who is vying for a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Peters’ season was cut short on Oct. 23 against the Washington Redskins when he sustained a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee early in the second half of the game.

A native of Queen City, Texas, Peters played in 36 games and caught 28 passes for 300 yards and four touchdowns as a tight end at Arkansas from 2001-03. In 2003, he earned All-SEC second team honors after starting every game at tight end and ranking third on the team with 21 receptions for 218 yards and four TDs.

Following his collegiate career, Peters signed with the Buffalo Bills in 2004 as an undrafted free agent tight end. Peters made the transition from tight end to tackle in 2005 and went on to earn Pro Bowl selections in 2007 and 2008.  In 2009, the Philadelphia Eagles acquired Peters in a trade with Buffalo. Since then, Peters has made the Pro Bowl seven times, marking the second-most Pro Bowl berths in franchise history.

Razorbacks fall on road at No. 18 Oklahoma State

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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STILLWATER, Okla. — Arkansas won the doubles point for the fifth straight match, but No. 18 Oklahoma State stormed back in singles play to win 4-2 on Sunday at the Michael and Anne Greenwood Tennis Center.

After doubles, the Razorbacks (2-3) and the Cowgirls (5-1) split the first two singles matches.

Oklahoma State erased its 2-1 deficit with wins at the No. 1, 6 and 4 spots for the team victory.

“Congrats to Oklahoma State on a hard-fought match tonight,” coach Michael Hegarty said. “Both teams really competed with a ton of heart, and I was extremely proud of our efforts. A few close shots could have gone our way and we would’ve had a better outcome for sure.”

Senior Peyton Jennings and sophomore Natsuho Arakawa were first off the court in doubles with a 6-4 win at No. 3. The Cowgirls won the second match 6-4 at No. 2. Junior Ana Oparenovic and freshman Tatum Rice clinched the opening point, winning 7-5 at the top spot.

The Razorbacks’ lone singles win came at No. 2, where sophomore Giulia Pairone improved to 5-0 on the season with a dominant 6-2, 6-0 victory.

Up Next
Arkansas will return home Saturday for a pair of matches against Wichita State (11 a.m.) and Southeast Missouri State (2 p.m.).

No. 18 Oklahoma State 4, Arkansas 2

Singles Competition
1. No. 21 Vladica Babic (OKST) def. Ana Oparenovic (AR) 6-0, 6-4
2. Giulia Pairone (AR) def. Megan McCray (OKST) 6-2, 6-0
3. Katarina Stresnakova (OKST) def. Mia Jurasic (AR) 6-1, 6-2
4. No. 63 Marina Guinart (OKST) def. Tatum Rice (AR) 6-4, 7-6 (7-3)
5. Sofia Blanco (OKST) vs. Natsuho Arakawa (AR) 3-6, 6-3, 1-1, unfinished
6. Shir Hornung (OKST) def. Peyton Jennings (AR) 6-3, 6-3

Doubles Competition
1. Tatum Rice/Ana Oparenovic (AR) def. Vladica Babic/Megan McCray (OKST) 7-5
2. Marina Guinart/Katarina Stresnakova (OKST) def. Giulia Pairone/Mia Jurasic (AR) 6-4
3. Peyton Jennings/Natsuho Arakawa (AR) def. Sofia Blanco/Shir Hornung (OKST) 6-4

Hogs avenge earlier loss to Tide behind Cosper’s 21

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Arkansas’ Devin Cosper led four Razorback women’s basketball players in double figure scoring in a 74-66 SEC win over Alabama in Tuscaloosa on Sunday.

The game was won in the first half for the Razorbacks. Alabama put together a 6-0 scoring run but Arkansas answered with a 9-0 run after the media timeout.

They held the Crimson Tide without a field goal for the final 3:07 of the first quarter to take a 19-14 lead after the first 10 minutes of play.

It is the sixth time that Cosper has scored 20 or more points this season. Junior Malica Monk added 17 points followed by junior Bailey Zimmerman with 11 and 10 points for sophomore Kiara Williams.

The win by Arkansas (12-11, 3-7 SEC) avenges an earlier season loss to the Crimson Tide (14-9, 4-6 SEC).

The Razorbacks won the second quarter 21-12 and finished the half on an 8-0 run including back-to-back 3-point field goals by Cosper and Raven Northcross-Baker.

The Razorback defense held the Crimson Tide scoreless for the final 2:13 of the frame taking a 40-26 lead into the locker room.

The teams were even in the third quarter with Arkansas outscoring Alabama 18-16 and the Razorbacks started the fourth quarter strong, stretching their lead to as many as 19 early in the frame.

Bama mounted a comeback and forced Arkansas into some foul trouble — similar to the first meeting in which the Tide hit 20-of-25 free throws in the fourth quarter.

The Tide went 9-for-14 from the bonus line and were not able to overcome the strong and balanced play by Arkansas.

Notes

• Arkansas’ 40 first-half points is the second-best total in an SEC game this year and the fifth time they have scored 40+ in the first 20 minutes.

• Devin Cosper had 10 first half points. It is the fifth time she has scored in double digits in the first half. She finished with 21 points. It is Cosper’s 17th double figure game of the year and the 39th of her career. It is the sixth 20+ point game of the season and her seventh career 20+ point game.

• Malica Monk finished with 17 points. She has scored in double figures in 22 of 23 games this year and has 38 career double figure games.

• Devin Cosper had three made 3-point field goals. It is the second consecutive game with 3 made 3-pointers.

• In two games against Alabama this year, Devin Cosper has scored 45 points, grabbed 16 rebounds, gone 14-for-14 from the line and shot 43.8% from the field.

Up Next

There are just six regular season games remaining for the Razorbacks.

Arkansas returns home hosting No. 12 Tennessee on Feb. 8 and welcomes No. 15 Missouri on Feb. 11.

The Razorbacks have another rematch, this time at Kentucky, on Feb. 15 followed by home games with LSU, who is getting votes in the national poll, and No. 14 Texas A&M.

The regular season concludes with a trip to Vanderbilt on Feb. 25.

What can Anderson do to save Razorbacks’ season?

Andy Hodges
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If Mike Anderson had any hair, it wouldn’t be that surprising to see him trying to pull it out.

Saturday’s 94-86 loss in Baton Rouge to LSU was just another one of those games where you look at the stat sheet and go, “What the …?”

Arkansas didn’t play that bad against LSU when you look at the numbers, but they never could seem to grasp the Tigers were shooting the way Pete Maravich used to in the building that bears his name.

LSU was 15-of-30 in 3-pointers, nearly half of their point total. The Razorbacks tried just eight shots behind the arc (making three of them).

The Hogs shot 55 percent from the field. They couldn’t quite seem to keep the Tigers from appearing to be wide open most of the afternoon for 3-pointers that they were hitting almost at will.

Arkansas won the field goal shooting percentage battle, they out-rebounded LSU on both ends of the floor and had one less turnover.

Much like looking at the stat sheet from the Hogs’ win over Oklahoma State last week, you had to wonder how LSU won this game … until you look at the 3-point shooting.

Fans are starting to get a little restless. The guess here is Anderson is, too.

Many don’t understand that Anderson is not Nolan Richardson and can’t do things like he did. Shoot, with the changes in NCAA rules and modern-day society, even Nolan wouldn’t be able to do things he used to do.

At the beginning of the season, Anderson didn’t bother trying to hide his enthusiasm for this team. It was easy to get the idea he thought this team was going to be something special down the stretch.

The way things are going, they will be special, but not the direction everyone thought back in October.

Arkansas is now 4-6 in the SEC. They have eight games left on the schedule and it’s going to be a tough, tough road stretch.

Five of the remaining games are at home. South Carolina and Vanderbilt, next week’s opponents coming to Bud Walton, are lower than the Hogs in the SEC standings.

Also coming to Fayetteville will be Auburn and Kentucky, two of the front-runners in the league this year.

Then there are road games against Ole Miss, Alabama and Missouri.

Unless this team makes a turnaround, these Hogs won’t be playing anywhere in March.

That’s not what folks expected back in October.

Which affects what folks will think in March.

And causes long offseasons for coaches.

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