Quarterback Cade Fortin had earned right to start in practice, but Arkansas planned all along to play Malik Hornsby.
WATCH: Razorback players after loss to Mississippi State on Saturday
The complete press conference with Hogs’ Dalton Wagner, Bumper Pool and Jadon Haselwood after loss to Mississippi State.
LIVE BLOG: Razorbacks lose big on road in Starkville
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson won’t be starting against Mississippi State on Saturday.
He may be coming off the bench later, but that could be just something interesting to remember.
Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman danced all over the topic after Jefferson was injured against Alabama last week, but just before kickoff he announced Cade Fortin would be the starter.
We are under way in Starkville and you can follow all the action here.
First Quarter
1Q 11:15: This doesn’t start particularly well as Will Rogers moves the Bulldogs downfield with some balance including a 20-yard pass to the 4. A penalty on Terry Hampton got it to first down on the 2. From there, Dillon Johnson just powers his way into the end zone and this is not the hot start the Hogs needed. Bulldogs 7, Hogs 0
1Q 4:10: Will Rogers is simply carving up the Hogs’ defense. Offense, Fortin has one drive and he got a first down on a run by Raheim Sanders, but was sacked and MSU put together a 12-play, 55-yard drive, converting a fourth down, then Rogers scrambled and found Jaden Walley in the back of the end zone, who made the catch after Malik Chavis couldn’t knock it down or catch it.. Bulldogs have 98 yards in total offense, Hogs 5. Bulldogs 14, Hogs 0
Malik Hornsby comes in and gets the Hogs to the Mississippi State 8 but goes out after a play where targeting was called on Mississippi State because both defenders missed on the play. Maybe an over-abundance of caution? Fortin back in the game, but the drive stalls and Sanders can’t get a yard into the middle of the line on fourth down to turn the ball over.
End First: Bulldogs go 57 yards in five plays as Rogers passes Aaron Murray for all-time SEC pass completions and he doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon. Hogs having too many penalties and the quarterback issues are as real as a lot of fans feared, although did appear to move better with Hornsby in the game.
2Q 9:03: Bulldogs making this look way too easy. Rogers leads a nine-play, 40-yard drive and scrambles, then somehow threads a pass that Austin Williams catches just before diving out of bounds. Bulldogs 21, Hogs 0
2Q 5:56: Razorbacks finally get on board as Cam Little salvages something from a nine-play, 42-yard drive with a 51-yard field. Hogs running ball some on Bulldogs, but then start trying to pass (only 29 yards total so far). Bulldogs 21, Hogs 3
2Q 1:11: After Rogers couldn’t get a first down, missing on a short pass, Hornsby broke free and found Jadon Haselwood alone on the right sideline for a 68-yard completion that set up a 3-yard run by Sanders and the Hogs have managed to show proof of life before halftime. Bulldogs 21, Hogs 10
Mississippi State’s Ben Raybon hooks a 40-yard field wide right (he’s left-footed) and the Hogs might be a little lucky to just be trailing by 11 headed into halftime.
End Half: Bulldogs 21, Hogs 10
Third Quarter
3Q 11:16: Hogs take second half kickoff at the 1 after AJ Green fumbled it and was lucky to get out of the end zone. Bulldogs stop offense on three plays, then go 58 yards in six plays with Rogers finding Caleb Ducking wide open behind the Hogs’ secondary for a 33-yard score that was really easy. Not the way anybody wanted to start the third quarter. Bulldogs 27, Hogs 10
3Q 3:33: Hornsby settling into offense and makes a 54-yard pass to Bryce Stephens, who makes a leaping catch at the one for the score. After getting just a handful of plays scattered around, there will be questions about whether Hornsby should have seen some consistent time with some good plays. Bulldogs 27, Hogs 17
3Q :54: Mississippi State answers the score as the Hogs’ defensive problems starting to become glaring as Johnson breaks free for a 30-yard scoring run to cap a seven-plan, 75-yard drive after the big scoring pass. This is turning into a shootout. Bulldogs 34, Hogs 17
Fourth Quarter
4Q 10:28: It almost seems the Bulldogs are getting stronger as the Hogs get weaker in this game. After Jo’quavious Marks powers his way in from the 2 after a six-play, 70-yard drive, Mississippi State takes a 23-point lead. And then bounce the extra point off the left upright to continue the kicking woes, but this time Arkansas may not be able to get close enough for it to really matter. Bulldogs 40, Hogs 17
ANDY’S PICKS: One possible reason Malik Hornsby didn’t play last week
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Once again, the betting line appears to a lot of Arkansas fans to be out of whack.
Mississippi State is a 9.5-point favorite at most sportsbooks in Saturday morning’s game and Razorback fans are shaking their heads, but they aren’t putting any serious money on it. The line is controlled by which way the money is going and that’s mostly on MSU.
This is usually the point where I say that’s a mistake, but it’s not my job to tell you what to do with your money.
The realistic answer is I have no idea because this Hogs’ team still has more questions than answers heading into a game that marks the halfway point of the regular season.
With KJ still questionable after getting knocked in the head against Alabama, the focus has been on backups Cade Fortin and Malik Hornsby.
Maybe Hornsby was held out of Saturday’s game because Pittman didn’t want any more film of him available than the limited supply that’s out there already?
It’s a question nobody has really asked.
Having said all of that, the Bulldogs may be a horrible matchup for the Hogs. Their offense does what the enda defense that probably wasn’t really what everybody was hoping for early in the season.
This is a team that has given up a lot of points this year, even to the first three opponents. Those teams had worse defenses than the Hogs.
Can Arkansas out-score Mississippi State?
My guess is this game will come down to which defense can get off the field early the most. The Bulldogs have more athletes on that side of the ball than the Hogs do … or at least they look like it.
The key, though, is whether that shows up or not.
Remember, though, the only reason the Hogs won last year’s game in Fayetteville simply because Cam Little was better than the Bulldogs’ kicker and it still came down to a shot at the end that could have sent the game into overtime.
This one, though, probably won’t get that far.
Mississippi State 31, Hogs 14
There is no telling what the picks contest between Pete Morgan and myself looks like. It’s usually close and we’ll get around to figuring it all up at some point in time.
As we get into league games, the schedule will get tougher but not this week.
All of that usually adds up to some upsets, but nothing I feel completely positive about.
SEC Picks for Week 6
When one of the best games in the league is Tennessee at an LSU team that started the season with a loss and has somehow managed to rip off four straight wins should tell you something. A lot of blowouts on the league agenda this week.
(8) Tennessee at (25) LSU: The Vols are probably the second-best team in the SEC East this season, but now we’re going to find out as the schedule gets a lot tougher in a hurry. The Tigers aren’t the best team in the West but may end up there simply because Arkansas and Texas A&M haven’t met expectations. Their winning streak ends this week. Tennessee 41, LSU 21
Missouri at Florida: Which Gators team shows up? Or even which Tigers’ team makes an appearance here. Missouri should have had at least one more win because they literally fumbled away an overtime road win at Auburn. Look for Florida to get things back on track. Florida 27, Missouri 10
Auburn at (2) Georgia: Normally we would be asking questions about the Bulldogs after falling out of the No. 1 spot, but the Tigers are a much better story considering Bryan Harsin is subject to getting canned after every loss and I’ve questioned for a few weeks now if he would make it to Halloween. Georgia 49, Auburn 14
(9) Ole Miss at Vanderbilt: Historically, the Commodores give the Rebels a hard time. Even when Ole Miss is very good and Vandy is very bad, it has often been a struggle win for the Rebels and they’ve even had a few head-shakers over the years. The Rebels’ running game likely could control this one. Ole Miss 24, Vanderbilt 10
South Carolina at (13) Kentucky: If this is close, the Wildcats have a hangover from the road loss at Ole Miss. The Gamecocks are still trying to figure out a lot of things and Spencer Rattler is finding out a quarterback needs some talent to be a great one. It might be closer than a lot of people think. Kentucky 28, South Carolina 24
Texas A&M at (1) Alabama: This was supposed to be a big game back in the summer, but the Aggies haven’t lived up to their preseason hype. The Crimson Tide may be playing a backup quarterback, but that didn’t make much of a difference against Arkansas last week and won’t this week. Jimbo Fisher better not let A&M relax if Alabama gets a big lead because it could get really ugly. Alabama 48, Texas A&M 14
PETE’S PICKS: Pittman dealing with lost of issues this week
In everyone’s life, a little rain must fall.
Clichés are what separate us from the animals, correct? I had an English teacher in high school, Mrs. Mahl, who made it abundantly clear a good writer avoids these lazy forms or writing like a football fan sidesteps an invitation to a Saturday baby shower.
However, we have had a bit of a rainy spell the past two weeks in Razorbacks Football. A loss to an inferior Texas A&M team, a disappointing home performance against Alabama, and now the worry regarding the health of KJ Jefferson given he is even permitted to step on the field in Starkville this weekend.
Arkansas coach Sam Pittman is handling multiple situations about as well as anyone could. He has his QB1 under full observation following a concussion protocol. He has an untested back-up quarterback (hopefully) at the ready for Saturday’s game.
Add to both of those issues, Malik Hornsby has been in the middle of what seemed like a knee-jerk social media reaction to being left on the bench in favor of non-scholarship signal caller Cade Fortin.
For clarity, Malik, whom I like, has since said the removal of Razorback references on his Instagram account was a false story.
Now the question is this, can Arkansas right the inner-pirate ship this weekend and avoid a three-game losing streak in the SEC?
I am not much on discussing strategy nor what gameplan will be successful, but I will say it will take a huge momentum shift in our favor to win on the road against the No 23 Bulldogs.
It also bears no mention many have heard of the obnoxious Mississippi State media personality three weeks ago predicting Arkansas will lose four straight starting with Alabama and ending with BYU.
This of course includes us losing to his “mighty” Bulldogs in this projected streak.
You desire a link to this idiot? I will pass. He is not worth our attention. We just need to handle business even is just to spite this candy@$$.
Back to the rain and more being added to Pittman’s plate.
Some of us a Hogs fans need a lesson on when to be happy things are good and when to apply a filter when a couple of things do not go our way. Some of you have called out not only Pittman but the other members of the coaching staff as well.
Why? Are you not able to recall our recent lack of success under the latter Bret Bielema years chased by the Jeff Long spectacle that was Chad Morris?
Chill out. Give the team and the staff a break. None of them are running down to the Long John Silvers to tell you how to do your job.
You radical fans are the worst and the ones that seem to be the most referenced representative of our fan base. Unfortunately to the rest of us, you have become the cliché.
Get in out of the rain and get back on the bandwagon. We escape Starkville and end the losing skid.
Arkansas, 24 – 21.
Random Thoughts
Mississippi State is hard not to like as they seem to almost parallel us in so many facets.
TRIVIA QUESTION: Arkansas first played Mississippi State in 1916 and then next in 1939. In what city where these games played?
Remember when so many of us wanted Mike Leach to be our head coach? Do you still feel the same?
I am not perfect. I do and say a lot of things I regret. This column is no different. Yet, right or wrong, I always work from the heart.
TRIVIA ANSWER: Memphis, Tennessee. Yes, that was the most interesting trivia question I could muster.
Inner-pirates are always overrated.
I always need my one and only Mountain Dew to get me through the day.
Be certain to listen to the game Saturday at 11:00 A.M. via HitThatLine.com and on the air 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.
SEC Picks for Week 6
I remember thinking football season would never get here, yet now it seems like it is flying by as we near the halfway mark. The Chase for the HitThatLine Cup heats up this week, and I feel Andy is showing me just a touch of mercy.
(8) Tennessee at (25) LSU: This almost got GOTW honors since it features two ranked teams. I just do not see it being that great competitively speaking. Vols by 10.
Arkansas at (23) Mississippi State – GAME OF THE WEEK: GOTW honors only because this game will be the most interesting. All is well that ends well. Hogs by 3.
Missouri at Florida: This should be… boring but only based upon the quality of play. Gators by 7.
Auburn at (2) Georgia: Does Bryan Harsin have a job after this week? Dogs by 34.
(9) Ole Miss at Vanderbilt: You’ve got this Commodores!!! Okay, no you don’t. Ole Miss by 22.
South Carolina at (13) Kentucky: This will be closer than expected until late in the second half. Wildcats by 18.
Texas A&M at (1) Alabama: Hey, at least we helped Bama be ranked No. 1 again. Tide by 17.
Soller Opposites
Eric is still on fire with his gambling expertise. Should you continue to ride the wave or bet against his hot streak? All good things must come to an end, right?
Washington State + 12 1/2 @ USC.
USC finds itself looking ahead to Utah and has depended upon quick turnovers to inflate its scoring average. Washington State has a pass heavy offense, but it will use a reliable run game to keep this a low scoring affair at first.
This bet will depend on a narrow turnover margin. The Cougars will run the ball while the Trojans are planning ahead in what will be a one score game, so: Cougars +12 1/2.
Back to Arkansas at Mississippi State; check in during the game for all the highlights and updates from Saturday’s contest.
A major shout-out to the Family and friends of Mr. Ted Herrick. They lost a great man recently. I know not everybody who reads this believes in Prayer, but if you do, please extend some up for them.
Find me on ‘Twitter’: @PeterMorganWPS
Halftime Pod Presented By Eastside Liquor- October 7, 2022
Drew’s last show; Hogs at Miss State; Live at Wheeler Powersports in Fort Smith; MLB Postseason Begins
Guests- Aaron Torres & Tim McIntosh
How to watch, listen, stream Razorbacks, Bulldogs on Saturday
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas is staring at another trend and this time it’s not a particularly good one.
After back-to-back losses to Texas A&M and Alabama, the reeling Razorbacks hit the road for a month, going to Starkville at Davis Wade Stadium against No. 23 Mississippi State on Saturday.
That trend they will be trying to break to avoid becoming the 10th Hogs in the last 11 years to lose three games in a row during the season.
And they might have to do it without quarterback KJ Jefferson, who will likely be a game-time decision Saturday.
Next week won’t be any better, going on the road to Provo, Utah, against No. 16 Utah.
Game Notes:
• Arkansas, which is receiving votes in the AP Top 25 Poll and checked in at No. 25 in the USA Today Coaches Poll, faces yet another ranked opponent on Saturday. Mississippi State is ranked No. 23 by both the AP and coaches.
• This year’s schedule, which has featured four ranked FBS opponents in the first six games, is Arkansas’ “toughest” schedule since last season, when the Razorbacks also faced four ranked FBS opponents in their first six games. Since 2020, 21 of Arkansas’ 27 FBS opponents have either been ranked or received votes in the national polls.
• Jefferson continues to wreak havoc on opposing defenses through the air and on the ground, but his status for the game is not known. Jefferson has completed 80-of-121 passes (66.1%) for 1,096 yards and nine touchdowns with one interception while rushing for 312 yards and four scores through five games. Entering this week, Jefferson is the only FBS quarterback to throw for over 1,000 yards and run for over 300 yards this season.
• Running back Raheim “Rocket” Sanders is the Razorbacks’ leading ball carrier through five games, totaling 609 yards on 105 carries (5.8 avg.) with four scores on the ground. He leads the SEC in both rushing yards (609) and rushing yards per game (121.8) while ranking second in all-purpose yards (625) this season. Sanders, who has also caught 10 passes for 136 yards and a touchdown, is the only FBS player with 600+ rushing yards and 100+ receiving yards on the season.
• Wide receiver Jadon Haselwood leads Arkansas’ receiving corps through five games this season with a team-high 24 catches for 251 yards (10.5 avg.) and a pair of touchdowns. A transfer from Oklahoma, Haselwood has caught three or more passes in each of his first five games as a Razorback and has tallied at least one reception in 17 consecutive games dating back to the start of the 2021 season.
• Linebacker Drew Sanders has quickly emerged as one of the top defensive playmakers in all of college football. Sanders has racked up 43 total tackles (22 solo) with a team-leading 7.5 tackles for loss and a team-high 6.5 sacks through five games. Sanders, who leads all FBS defenders in sacks, has tallied at least half a sack in all five games.
Game Information: Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs
Date/Time: Saturday, Oct. 8, at 11 a.m.
Where: Davis Wade Stadium, Starkville, Mississippi
Betting via SI SportsBook
Spread: Mississippi State -9.5
Over-Under: 57.4
Moneyline: Arkansas +250 (-118), Mississippi State +-376(-110)
TV-Streaming: ABC (Dave Neal, Deuce McAlister, Tiffany Blackmon), FuboTV (try it free)
Radio Streaming: Listen online 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. You can hear it on satellite radio SiriusXM channel 106 or 192 and SXM App channel 963.
Halftime is LIVE from Wheeler Powersports in Fort Smith… 877-377-6963
11:15 – Aaron Torres
12:15 – Tim McIntosh
Drew’s last show; Hogs at Miss State; Live at Wheeler Powersports in Fort Smith; MLB Postseason Begins
Call or text, 877-377-6963
The Gimme the HAWGS Chuck Podcast E16: Keys to beating the Bulldogs
Presented by Weichert Realtors – The Griffin Company
Hogs’ softball coach Courtney Deifel previews fall camp, scrimmages
Razorbacks softball coach Courtney Deifel’s press conference previewing games with Louisiana Tech this weekend and building program to high level.
