PROVO, Utah — From the day BYU appeared on the Arkansas schedule, it felt like a trap game.
Now it is here and injuries have put the Razorbacks in a hole this afternoon in Provo, Utah, against a Cougars team that was ranked in the polls a week longer.
The Hogs also have a three-game losing streak going for the 10th time in the last 11 years and how they handle from a mental standpoint has been one of the biggest questions heading into this game.
Quarterback KJ Jefferson is back after missing the Mississippi State blowout last week and the Hogs are jockeying for a good bowl game since all three losses were in the league (no SEC Championship game) and now they step out of SEC play for a game in the mountains of Utah that has it’s own issues.
You can follow the flow of the game here at HitThatLine.com, watch on ESPN or listen on ESPN Arkansas radio 99.5 in Fayetteville, 95.3 in the River Valley, 96.3 in Hot Springs and 104.3 in Harrison-Mountain Home.
First Quarter
Arkansas’ defense has carried the load the first two possessions for the each team. The offense, meanwhile, has a Rocket Sanders’ fumble the Cougars got and Jefferson not looking particularly sharp early.
1Q 5:39: On BYU’s second possession, Cougars’ quarterback starts picking apart the Hogs’ secondary, particularly cornerback Dwight McGlothern, capping a 10-play, 82-yard drive with a 4-yard scoring pass to Rex Isaac and an unsportsmanlike call against McGlothern starts the offense at the 25. BYU 7, Hogs 0
1Q 2:37: Hogs answer with an eight-play, 75-yard drive primarily on the ground and Sanders capped it with a 15-yard scoring run. Hogs 7, BYU 7
1Q 1:11: Two straight pass interference calls set up BYU for a 21-yard scoring pass against the Hogs and Hall finds Kody Epps coming across the middle. Arkansas’ secondary can’t cover the Cougars and are grabbing too much, even with questions possibly on some of the calls. Cougars’ kicking issues continue and banging an extra point off the right upright may be a problem. BYU 13, Hogs 7
2Q 12:19: This might turn into a shootout. Hogs answer with a 75-yard drive in 10 plays as Jefferson finds tight end Trey Knox, who sat down on an inside opening shaded outside and a fairly easy 7-yard scoring pass. Hogs 14, BYU 13
2Q 9:48: Okay, this is getting kind of embarrassing for Arkansas’s secondary that is getting slowly eaten alive by the Cougars’ passing game. Even with BYU having a long scoring pass called back on a facemask penalty, they move the ball down the field through air and don’t appear remotely interested in running, but get a 5-yard run from Puka Nacua. They complete a two-point conversion and are back on track with scores. BYU 21, Hogs 14
2Q 6:46: Did Hogs just blink? In a game turning into an offensive explosion scoring touchdowns, it’s BYU’s secondary that steps up and holds Arkansas to a 34-yard field goal from Cam Little that cuts into the lead. BYU 21, Hogs 17
2Q 3:39: Razorbacks’ defense steps up and stops BYU on downs near midfield and have a short drive leading to a 4-yard pass from Jefferson to wide receiver Matt Landers and get the lead back. Hogs 24, BYU 21
2Q :40: Jefferson sees a mismatch in coverage and hits running back Rashod Dubinion on a wheel route for a 15-yard scoring play. Jefferson made the play avoiding a sack and four BYU tacklers, then finding Knox open, who broke some tackles for a big gain setting up the scoring pass. Hogs 31, BYU 21
End First Half
Third Quarter
3Q 9:53: BYU gets the ball first after halftime and promptly starts running the ball, driving 75 yards in 10 plays and Nacua gets the final three yards around right end after another pass interference call, this time against the Hogs’ Simeon Blair. Hogs 31, BYU 28
3Q 9:20: The Hogs don’t need much time to answer, going 75 yards in three plays, getting a big pass interference penalty from BYU. Hogs’ offense may start trying to shorten this game if they can get another score. Jefferson completed a 38-yard scoring pass from Jefferson to Matt Landers Hogs 38, BYU 28
3Q 5:11: If you get the over on this one, you are probably in spectacular shape. The Cougars answer the Hogs’ score with a 33-yard pass from Hall to a wide open Nacua behind a secondary that is playing guys you have to scramble to look at the roster to see who they are. Hogs 38, BYU 35
3Q 1:13: The punters on both teams have just had a nice, leisurely afternoon in the Utah mountains. The Hogs answered BYU’s touchdown by gashing the defense through the air and passing with Jefferson moving in the pocket on a third-and-goal before finding a wide open Landers in the end zone. Hogs 45, BYU 35
Fourth Quarter
4Q 14:25: The Razorbacks have probably broken this three-game losing streak. Sanders, who sat out the entire third quarter, finally got in the game in the final quarter and blew through a huge crease for a 64-yard scoring run. Hogs 52, BYU 35
