On cold, snowy weather conditions and problems Tigers presented them in 28-21 loss in Columbia, Mo., on Saturday.
LIVE BLOG: Razorbacks’ pass to end zone finishes season with 28-21 loss
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Arkansas made the best of a hostile environment and a 28-21 loss came down to the last play of the game. Literally.
Taylen Green’s pass to a crowd of players at the end zone that included Luke Hasz and Isaac TeSlaa was knocked down as the game ended.
Considering his well-documented hip issues and the weather for Arkansas’ game with Missouri today, Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman going to the pressbox isn’t a bad idea. Call it what you will, but he struggles to walk and a slip could have serious implications.
The Hogs have never won in Columbia before … as in ever. There were high hopes they could break that streak this season, but nobody was accounting for the weather conditions that are in the 20’s, a snow-covered field and an 80 percent chance of heavy snow throughout the game.
Offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino and defensive coordinator Travis Williams managed the game from the sidelines with Pittman in the coaches box. He will be on a headset and a better view of the whole field than normal.
We’ll have whatever highlights and scoring plays from the game:
1Q 2:23: Weather slowing both offenses as players finding footing treacherous. After a Taylen Green fumble recovered when hit by Johnny Walker and Missouri recovered. They drove 40 yards in eight plays, taking advantage of a couple of penalties, including a pass interference call to set up a 2-yard scoring run by Marcus Carroll and an early lead. Tigers 7, Hogs 0
2Q 9:42: After the Razorbacks had a touchdown run by Rodney Hill taken off the board on a holding penalty, they overcome it when Missouri has a pair of penalties against Chuck Hicks for holding and locking up with Luke Hasz for whatever dumb reason. La’Quinden Jackson walked into the end zone on the next play from the 2. Hogs 7, Tigers 7
3Q 11:41: Arkansas defensive lineman Landon Jackson took a shot towards the head making a tackle late in the first half, but as the second half was starting, SEC Network reporters said athletics director Hunter Yurachek said he was responsive, moving extremities and taken across the street to the hospital. Yurachek apparently indicated to the SEC Network people it was more of a precautionary move than anything else, although he was reporting pain in his neck. On the Razorbacks’ first possession of the second half, they took the second-half kickoff and drove 50 yards in six plays to score on a 12-yard run by Green. Hogs 14, Tigers 7
3Q 3:06: Missouri moving the ball on the ground consistently after Jackson out. They get the ball back after Razorbacks’ score grind 57 yards in 16 plays and Blake Craig kicks a 28-yard field goal. Hogs 14, Tigers 10
4Q 13:45: Jackson fumbles as Razorbacks turn it over again to Missouri in a problem they’ve suffered all season long. The Tigers move 34 yards in eight plays with Carroll scoring from the 1. Tigers 17, Hogs 14
4Q 9:39: Missouri drives 73 yards in five plays and Craig comes in to kick a 34-yard field goal. Tiger 20, Hogs 14
4Q 4:19: Razorbacks offensive coordinator will get a ton of credit for a fourth-and-8 call that Green rolled to the right and Andrew Armstrong stretched to make a catch that kept the drive alive. J. Jackson came on to run up the middle from 9 yards out to re-take the lead. Hogs 21, Tigers 20
4Q 1:53: Missouri quarterback Brady Cook drops back after the two-minute timeout, sees a wide open field in front of him and sprints 30 yards untouched up the middle for a score. On a 2-point conversion attempt, Cook takes a reverse handoff and flips a pass to a wide open Luther Burden a touchdown lead. Tigers 28, Hogs 21
ANDY’S PICKS: How big Missouri game is for Hogs looking back
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — On this holiday season ol’ Abe Lincoln created during the Civil War to have warm feelings for friends and foe, it’s turned into a plethora of food and hate. Both of those seem to go well with college football.
As usual this time of the year, Pete Morgan is claiming victory of the HitThatLine Trophy, but he’ll have to do like Arkansas did with the 1964 trophy they claimed after Alabama already had it and get a knock-off version made. He just won’t have to wait nearly 60 years to do it. Since Bear Bryant and I are both from Southeast Arkansas about 20 miles apart, there’s a tradition that possession is 9/10 ownership in the eyes of the law.
No, seriously, I am thankful for Pete’s contributions to HitThatLine, which is now concluding it’s eighth year of existence with a lot of changes over the years. If you’ve never started one of these from scratch, you have no idea the late nights and early mornings involved with that. Now they are just happy memories. Stay tuned for more and better things.
But on to the purpose of this entire stab in the dark on who will be winning the games this week. Much like the previous offensive coordinator for the Razorbacks, Pete’s season was over before Halloween. In reality it was probably a couple of weeks after Labor Day, but you have to play along with the kids at times.
The Hogs will make the journey to Columbia, Mo., on Saturday to play a game that’s traditionally been played on the day after Thanksgiving. For some reason the SEC managed to screw up long-standing holiday plans for four fan bases with just a couple of decisions.
First, they moved the Arkansas-Missouri game to Saturday. That was a gut punch to a lot of fans. It’s turned into a routine that’s factored into some families’ planning every year. Then, to add chaos to more fans, somebody with no sense of respect for tradition moved the Egg Bowl between Ole Miss and Mississippi State from Thanksgiving Day to the Friday slot.
Personally, I know of three families that had to re-arrange everything because of these decisions and they don’t even go to the games. They watch on TV and now entire deer cabins and duck hunting clubs have had to alter their schedules because somebody thought this was a good idea. Okay, we’re done with that rant.
The Hogs may have their biggest hill of the season at the end. About the only thing consistent with both of these teams this year is wild inconsistency. That’s been the standard across college football, too. The old ways of handicapping games sailed into the trash can this crazy season.
For me, the difference (as usual) comes down to quarterback play. You can analyze line play, defensive secondaries, running backs and everything else, but the quarterback that wins adjusts to good and bad, then figures out a way to win the game.
Brady Cook has shown the ability to do that with Mizzou. The Hogs are still searching for that quarterback with the intangibles to just figure out how to win consistently. Don’t throw the Tennessee game out there about Malachi Singleton because the Volts were trying to let them score. For every great play Taylen Green has made, there’s one or two that leave you scratching your head.
That along with the Tigers just simply having better players leads to my pick this week. Oh, and throw in this is the only game of the year where the opposing coach is motivated to beat the Hogs as bad as possible. Whether he will admit it or not, this is the game he wants his team to win. And win it big if at all possible.
Missouri by 13
SEC Picks for Week 14
There are some games that should be blowouts, but we’ve seen this year that can get turned around fast. There are, however, several league games that will have playoff implications one way or the other. Looking for motivation? That’s about the best you can get this year.
Mississippi State at (14) Ole Miss – Neither side is enthusiastic about playing this game on Black Friday. The Bulldogs are terrible while the Rebels’ faithful are just completely ticked off. Last week’s loss put Ole Miss in a deep hole for the playoffs and the only way to dig out is hang a memorable number on State. The Bulldogs don’t have the talent this year to do a whole lot about it, either, unless the Rebels just tank. Ole Miss by 34.
Georgia Tech at (7) Georgia – The Ramblin’ Wreck have had some moments this year (like everybody), but in the end they are still just a middle of the road team. Georgia somehow has played its way solidly into the SEC Championship game and is solid in the playoffs. Unless something really crazy happens. It won’t, but don’t expect some huge number because Georgia will play backups as soon as possible because they have bigger games coming up. Bulldogs by 17.
Louisville at Kentucky – Nobody is giving the Wildcats much respect this year and likely deservingly so. You have to wonder if they’ve let go of the rope after beating Ole Miss and playing Georgia to the last minute. This is probably going to be closer than some think because of Kentucky’s defense, but everybody in Lexington is thinking basketball already. Cardinals by 2.
(15) South Carolina at (12) Clemson – If you want chaos in the playoffs, this is the game to watch. South Carolina has shown they are quite capable of doing that this year and are making a claim they should be there. The Tigers are still trying to build a team the old-fashioned way and as badly as I want to pick the Gamecocks, the roster comparison says something else. Tigers by 4.
(8) Tennessee at Vanderbilt – For whatever reason, the Commodores’ smooth sailing has hit ground lately. As the season has gone on, their talent depth has finally reached the point where they just don’t have enough players at the end. Vols by 9.
Oklahoma at LSU – Two teams headed in different directions over the course of the season. While LSU is on a doward trend, Oklahoma has shot upwards, especially last week with a surprising win over Alabama where they just dominated the Crimson Tide. Look for them to do that again this week. Sooners by 13.
Florida at Florida State – “Good Grief Game:” Fellow UCA alum Mike Norvell probably isn’t in danger of getting sent placking after he did just that with his offensive and defensive coordinators a couple of weeks ago. But he does have a rivalry game this week and not the team to do much with maybe the hottest team in college football the last few weeks in the Gators. Florida by 26.
Game of the Week
(3) Texas at (20) Texas A&M – There is probably more money riding on this game than nearly all of the county budgets in the state of Arkansas. It’s a battle everywhere from the oil patch to the cattle auctions in Texas over this one and there is over a decade of arrogance, bragging and downright hate built up. Trust me, it will translate to some of the players on both sides. Don’t even look for this one to turn into any kind of a blowout game because there have been some absolutely crazy things happen over the years. But the correct team usually wins it. Hook Em! Longhorns by 5.
PETE’S PICKS: Giving thanks to important ones still doesn’t help picks
What is Thanksgiving for your Top 100 sports writer without the traditional extension of appreciations?
First, I have to give thanks and praise to God for all He does for us. His grace is something I do not deserve.
To my wife and children, thank you for your support in all our endeavors, especially the late nights as we put so tireless hours and effort into bettering our future. I love you all so much!
Thank you to my Mom and Dad for trying to teach me to not make mistakes but forgiving me when I do. You have loved me when others would not and even when I did not deserve it. You both inspire me.
To Moms and Pops, thank you for sharing Stacy and your grandchildren with me, even though I am a loser at Baggo … and shuffleboard … and slapjacks … and chess … and … wait, why the heck do I keep playing games with you guys again?
To my entire family, thank you for putting up with me and my addiction to sports which often cuts our time together short.
Thank you to all my friends, whether you read this or not, I appreciate each of you. I would not have the nickname “dork” (yes, I hear what you call me behind closed doors) without you.
To Andy Hodges, my editor. Thank you for combing through these articles week-after-week, and for also all the tips, pointers, advice, and encouragement you give me when your time is already spread too thin.
Thank you, Tye Richardson, for being the best advertising guy in the business.
Thank you to Tommy Craft and everyone at HitThatLine.com for allowing me to do this. I love the Razorbacks and this helps me stay a little more connected than normal life would allow.
Oddly enough, I am thankful for the best shoe guy in the entire state. Andrew, thank you for your support. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding to Annalea! You really outkicked your coverage.
Now, to my readers, whether you read once and never returned, you read every week, or you just occasionally ponder through one at your leisure. I appreciate it far more than you know.
Oh, and a big “you’re welcome” to all the bookies who have been thanking me for my losing streak of SEC picks the second half of the season. I am glad you will have extra money for Christmas.
One last token of gratitude. To Eli Drinkwitz, thank you for packing your bags and heading up north. You and your constant arrogance have made what the SEC tried to force into a rivalry an actual heated competition. Also, I want to extend my appreciation for your Missouri Tigers dropping one at home this weekend to our beloved RAZORBACKS!!!
Hogs, 34-24.
Random Thoughts
If anyone ever creates a legitimate professional cornhole [Can I say that word on here, Tommy?] league, please let me know. I can be the back-up’s back-up’s back-up. I will not require a sign-on bonus, but my buyout will make Sam Pittman jealous.
The SEC keeps beating itself up, and top teams are knocking each other out of playoff contention.
TRIVIA QUESTION: In 1944, Arkansas and Missouri met in St. Louis for a neutral site season-opener. Who was the head coach for the Razorbacks as they prevailed 7-6?
My Mom called me earlier, and I did not answer. It was not that I did not want to answer, I just had my hands full. Mom, I will call you back before you read this. I love and appreciate you and Dad.
I am also interested in playing professional soccer if anyone ever starts a middle-aged obese league. I can provide my own crash cart if necessary.
TRIVIA ANSWER: Longtime Arkansas head basketball coach Glen Rose commanded the football team for two seasons in 1944 and 1945. The 7-6 victory over the Tigers was his first game at the helm for on the gridiron. Fun note: there is speculation the town Glen Rose, Arkansas (in Hot Springs County) is named after Coach Rose, but that, in my opinion, is very unlikely. I have been wrong on other topics, so who knows? Feel free to reach out if you have any information on this.
High school basketball in our state is in need of capable officials. Please reach out to Tommy Craft if you have any questions or desire to enrich your life and those of the players.
SEC Picks for Week 14
Just because I am thankful for Andy does not mean I will have mercy upon him as the picks come to a close. I think the smile on my face as I shine the HitThatLine.com traveling trophy will be my way of expressing my true appreciation of him. It is rivalry week after all.
Mississippi State at (14) Ole Miss – The Bulldogs are going to get scrambled in this year’s Egg Bowl, especially in an Oxford laden with ticked-off Rebels. Ole Miss by 27.
Georgia Tech at (7) Georgia – The Old-Fashioned Hate will not be so “Clean” when the Yellowjackets get swatted and splattered to smithereens. Bulldogs by 35.
Louisville at Kentucky – The Wildcats are lucky to even be nominated for the Governor’s Cup this year. Cardinals by 11.
GAME OF THE WEEK
(15) South Carolina at (12) Clemson – For about 128-years, these two teams have hated each other – not just been rivals – HATED. Oddly enough, you would think such a fierce vitriol would come up with a better name than the “Palmetto Bowl”. I would have settled for nothing less than the “Dirty, Can’t Stand Ya, Bowl,” “Screw Those Guys Bowl,” or even “We Hate Those Jacka …Tiger” [Sorry, I forgot Tommy sometimes reads this.] But, no, when asked, those in charge of the South Carolina sports world came up with something so ferocious and fear-inducing as “Palmetto.” Well done. Tigers by 7.
(8) Tennessee at Vanderbilt – This rivalry has no trophy nor name, but it does have deep roots. You might not be surprised to learn how much Vanderbilt dominated the early games in the series, but you might be unaware in the past 12-years, the series has gone only 7-5 in the Vols’ favor. They get to 8 this year. Tennesse by 14.
Arkansas at (21) Missouri – Eli Drinkwitz has drawn a line with his mouth, now he gets a battle he does not truly want. Hogs by 10.
Oklahoma at LSU – This is not an actual rivalry, but you can bet the SEC is trying to make it one. OU’s momentum ended when their upset over Alabama came to a conclusion. Tigers by 17.
Florida at Florida State – “Good Grief Game”: The Gators became bowl eligible when they upset Ole Miss last week. Now they are campaigning for a better game and, in doing so, will kick the Seminoles where the sun does not shine. And, hey, I had to give my 3-G Andy Hodges Tribute game to someone, didn’t I? Florida by 21.
(3) Texas at (20) Texas A&M – These two schools no longer have an official name for their rivalry, but their hate for each other was so bad each school disses the other in their respective fight songs. Crazy, huh? Only one team can be the lone star in this showdown, and a conference title is at stake, even though the scheduling has been gift-wrapped for Texas by the SEC. You can call it an upset if you like. Aggies by 14.
God Bless you all, and have a safe and fun holiday season. We’ll see you before the bowl game.
Go HOGS!!!
Illinois starts fast, Razorbacks can’t catch up in 90-77 Thanksgiving loss
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — No. 19/21 Arkansas trailed 11-0 to start the game and could never recover in a 90-77 loss to Illinois. The game was played at T-Mobile Center and marked the first time CBS had ever televised a college basketball game on Thanksgiving.
The game also featured twins squaring off against each other and the pair shined. Illinois featured 7-1 Tomislav Ivisic and Arkansas has the older by four minutes, 7-2 Zvonimir Ivisic.
Tomislav had 21 points, going 6-of-9 from 3-point range, and added 10 rebounds with three blocked shots, two assists and two steals. Zvonimir had 13 points, going 3-of-6 from deep, with six rebounds, two blocked shots and two steals.
Tomislav set the tone early, assisting on the Fighting Illini’s first basket (a 3-pointer) then hit two 3-pointers as Illinois staked an 11-0 lead. He ended the first half with 13 points and seven rebounds, making 4-of-7 from deep.
He only took four shots in the second half and made three, including 2-of-2 from 3-point range.
Zvonimir did his damage in the second half, scoring 11 of his 13 points and going 3-of-6 from beyond the arc.
Arkansas worked its deficit to nine twice in the second half, but Illinois answered both times.
The Illini were also led by Kasparas Jakucionis with 23 points and Kylan Boswell with 18 points and six assists.
The Razorbacks got a career-high 26 points from Adou Thiero, who was 12-od-21 at the free throw line. Billy Richmond III added 12 points and Johnell Davis dished out six assists.
Arkansas stays on the road to face the Miami Hurricanes in the SEC/ACC Challenge on Tuesday. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. and the game will be televised on ESPN2.
FIRST HALF: Illinois 49, Arkansas 34
• Illinois was 9-of-16 from 3-point range and Arkansas was 0-of-7.
• Illinois started on an 11-0 run.
• The Illini shot 55.2% from the field (56.3% from 3-point) thanks to 12 assists on 16 made baskets.
• Tomislav Ivisic led Illinois with 13 points, making 4-of-7 from deep. He added seven rebounds as well.
• Billy Richmond III led Arkansas with 10 points.
SECOND HALF: Arkansas 43, Illinois 41
• Arkansas won the second half as it shot 51.6% from the field and going 5-of-10 from deep. Arkansas also had eight assists to Illinois’ four and the Hogs committed just three second-half turnovers.
• Trevon Brazile made a 3-pointer with 10:57 left to cut the Razorback deficit to nine. Later, Billy Richmond III had a steal and a dunk to get the Hogs to within nine with 4:13 left.
GAME NOTES:
• Arkansas’ starting lineup was Boogie Fland, D.J. Wagner, Johnell Davis, Adou Thiero and Zvonimir Ivisic.
• Arkansas won the opening tip. The Hogs have won the tip in all seven games.
• Illinois’ Ben Humrichous scored the game’s first points on a 3-pointer at 19:18. D.J. Wagner scored the first points for Arkansas at 16:01.
• Billy Richmond III was Arkansas’ first sub.
• Arkansas is now 1-6 all-time versus Illinois, including a 1-5 mark in neutral-site games. The Razorbacks’ lone win was in the first round of the 2023 NCAA Championship in Des Moines.
• Arkansas falls to 8-7 all-time in Kansas City. The Hogs had a four-game win streak in KC snapped with the loss.
• Adou Thiero has tied or set career highs in almost every stat category in six of the seven games this season. His career-high 26 points came courtesy of career highs in free throws made (12) and attempted (21.). His 21 attempts tie for fifth-most by a Razorback in a game and are three shy of the Arkansas single-game record (22-of-24 by Martin Terry in 1972)
• Jonas Aidoo saw his first real action of the season. In the first six games, he played in three, seeing 20 total minutes and scoring two points in the season opener. Versus Illinois, he played 10:54, scored two points and grabbed three rebounds.
• Arkansas missed its first seven 3-point attempts until Zvonimir Ivisic hit a triple at the 17:31 mark of the second half.
Information from Arkansas Communications is included in this story.
What Aaron Torres sees in Hogs’ matchup with Illinois
Will John Calipari get the first BIG win as Hogs head coach?! Or will the Illini win this Turkey Day showdown?
Aaron Torres, a regular guest on Halftime with Phil Elson and Matt Jones previewed the game that will be played in Kansas City on Thanksgiving Day at 3 p.m. The game will be on CBS after the NFL matchup between Detroit and Chicago.
He points out the programming idea is keep the large Illinois market tuned in for the basketball game immediately after that game. Just hope it doesn’t go into overtime and no idea there what would happen with the start of the Razorbacks’ game.
You can listen to the game with Chuck Barrett and Matt Zimmerman and pregame starts at 2:30 p.m. on ESPN Arkansas 99.5 in Fayetteville, 95.3 in the River Valley, 96.3 in Hot Springs and 104.3 in Harrison-Mountain Home. The game will be available in broadcast markets online at HitThatLine.com.
Ruscin & Zach are ready for Thanksgiving
We celebrate the day before Thanksgiving and not being banned (somehow) by the coaches on social media. Then imaginations run amuck when DQ’s Thanksgiving plans are revealed.
Eastside Liquor Halftime Podcast: 11-27-24
Happy Thanksgiving! With: Phil Elson, Matt Jones, and Christian Johnston.
Guests: Brett Dolan and Clay Henry!
Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: 11-27-24
What’s Your Beef Wednesday! Happy Thanksgiving! With: Tye Richardson, Tommy Craft, and Christian Johnston.
Big Z playing against brother for first time when Razorbacks face Illinois
With parents of 7-2 twins watching from their Croatia home, Hogs’ forward on trash talk between brothers facing each other on Thanksgiving.
