Hogs find way to win in three overtimes over Kansas

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — It’s probably fair to say Arkansas found a way to win a game they tried pretty hard to lose.

Oh, there will be some complaining about the officiating, but Wednesday night’s 55-53 win over Kansas in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl is still huge.

“I’m proud of our football team,” Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman said later. “Very proud. We had a lot of challenges going into the game.”

That was because the Hogs were playing with only 48 scholarship players.

This win gives Pittman two out of three winning seasons, finishing at 7-6 on the year.


We are under way at the AutoZone Liberty Bowl in Memphis and Arkansas will have the ball first.

We’ll have a running commentary throughout the game.

First Quarter

1Q 11:12: Razorbacks take the opening kickoff and drive 56 yards in 10 plays with KJ Jefferson passing and running to set up Cam Little’s 37-yard field goal for an early lead. Hogs 3, Kansas 0

1Q 8:23: Kansas’ offense turns Hogs’ defense in circles on first drive with wide open receivers for Jalon Daniels as the secondary is not reading anything correctly. Daniels passes to a wide open Ky Thomas, who runs 13 yards into the end zone to complete a 26-yard scoring pass that was the second way-too-easy completion on an opening drive. Kansas 7, Hogs 3

1Q 6:05: This time it’s the Jayhawks’ secondary that doesn’t see Matt Landers running wide open down the left sideline, but Jefferson sees him and delivers a 59-yard scoring strike. Are we looking at a track meet? Especially as Kansas fumbles away the ensuing kickoff and Harper Cole recovering for the Hogs. Hogs 10, Kansas 7

1Q 5:57: After recovering the fumble, Jefferson finds Ty Washington wide open in the middle for a 17-yard scoring play. Remember the question about track meet? Hogs 17, Kansas 7

1Q :23: Razorbacks put an exclamation point on first quarter with Jefferson getting the last three yards of a 73-yard drive for a whopping lead coming to the end of the period. Hogs 24, Kansas 7

Second Quarter

2Q 5:02: This is getting downright boring. The Jayhawks really can’t stop the Hogs’ offense and it’s almost like they are toying with Kansas. AJ Green gets a 20-yard scoring romp down the right sidelines due in part to Kansas’ apparent lack of interest in doing anything about it. This is turning out to be a pleasantly surprising blowout. Hogs 31, Kansas 7

2Q 1:18: Kansas finally comes up with an answer as Daniels completes a 24-yard scoring pass. The Jayhawks did one of those things that backfire often by chasing points in the second quarter and blow a 2-point conversion pass, killing momentum some. They will get the ball first in the second half, though. Hogs 31, Kansas 13

It looked like the Hogs were going to score again before halftime before KJ Jefferson threw an interception in the end zone, but still have dominating 31-13 lead at the break with Kansas getting the ball first in the second half.

Third Quarter

3Q 8:43: Hogs wearing down Kansas and have probably put this one away with a 10-play, 80-yard drive and Rashod Dubinion getting the last two yards up the middle. This one may be out of reach. Hogs 38, Kansas 13

3Q 3:15: Jayhawks show some life and get a score before the fourth quarter on a two-yard run by Ky Thomas to cap a five-play, 86-yard scoring drive. Hogs 38, Kansas 20

Fourth Quarter

4Q 14:07: Kansas inches a little closer to the Hogs, who went three-and-out after a score. The Jayhawks and get a 36-yard field goal from Owen Piepergedes and has the momentum. Hogs 38, Kansas 23

4Q 1:05: Jayhawks getting closer and will have a shot to tie the game. Daniels completes a 10-yard scoring pass right down the middle and add the extra point. Then they recover an onsides kick. Hogs 38, Kansas 30

4Q :41: Jayhawks tie the game unbelievably after recovering the kick, then moving downfield 50 yards in 24 seconds to score on a 21-yard pass, then a 2-point conversion pass to Lawrence Arnold but Jefferson will have some time and three timeouts. Hogs 38, Kansas 38

Razorbacks end regulation with running back AJ Green running out of bounds instead of at least attempting to cut back into middle as clock runs out. We go to overtime.

Unbelievable.

First Overtime

1st Possession: Kansas scores on a fourth-down pass from Daniels to Casey, who was all alone in the end zone and added the extra point, Now it’s the Hogs’ turn. Kansas 45, Hogs 38

2nd Possession: It takes the Hogs two plays with a pass to Matt Landers, then a run by Rashod Dubinion scores and they choose to tie the game and do it all again. Hogs 45, Kansas 45

Second Overtime

1st Possession: Hogs need just two plays and Jefferson scores on a 20-yard run. Jefferson then has to double-clutch the throw for two points, but finds Jaedon Wilson coming across the back. Hogs 53, Kansas 45

2nd Possession: Kansas converts the 2-point conversion and targeting on Quincy McAdoo gives the Jayhawks a second chance on the conversion attempt (after an extensive video review) and one of the playmakers is ejected as a result. On the second attempt from the 1, Daniels completes a pass to Casey who gets it into the end zone. We go to a third. Hogs 53, Kansas 53

Third Overtime (2-point Attempts Only)

1st: Jefferson flicks a little pass to Dubinion. Hogs 55, Kansas 53

2nd: For some unexplained reason, the Jayhawks have a wide receiver try a pass that is seriously overthrown. Hogs 55, Kansas 53

Hogs’ analyst Matt Zimmerman in Baton Rouge for SEC opener tonight

Players having fun on road trips ahead of starting league play tonight against LSU and crowd won’t be huge.

HawgSports’ Danny West on transfer portal now taking center stage

With the first national signing day in the past, we’ll start watching transfer portal for new Razorbacks arrivals.

Former Razorback Broderick Green on team heading into Liberty Bowl

With Chuck Barrett and Tommy Craft looking at the Hogs and memories of playing in Memphis in years past.

Halftime Pod Presented By Eastside Liquor- December 28, 2022

Liberty Bowl and Hogs Hoops the same day! Buck vs. SVP? Incoming 2023 Class!

Guests- Matt Zimmerman & Danny West

Bud Light Next Morning Rush Podcast: No excuses from Pittman and Co

Tye, Tommy and Chuck on Pittman not making excuses, LSU to open conference play and more!

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9:15 – Matt Zimmerman

10:15 – Danny West

Liberty Bowl and Hogs Hoops the same day! Buck vs. SVP? Incoming 2023 Class!

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How to watch-listen to Razorbacks’ SEC opener at LSU

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — No. 9-7 Arkansas opens SEC play versus LSU, who the Razorbacks have played more than any team since joining the SEC, on Wednesday (Dec. 28).

Tipoff in Baton Rouge, La., is set for 8 pm and the game will be televised on ESPN2.

Who: No. 9-7 Arkansas Razorbacks (11-1, 0-0 SEC) at LSU Tigers (11-1, 0-0 SEC)

What: SEC opener for both teams.

When: Wednesday, Dec. 28, 8 p.m.

Where: Baton Rouge, La.,  Pete Maravich Assembly Center (13,215)/Dale Brown Court

Radio: Learfield Razorback Sports Network (Phil Brame and Matt Zimmerman)

Sirius/XM: 138 (Sirius)/190 (XM), SXM App: Channel 961

Jordan Walsh (Gunnar Rathbun / Arkansas Communications)

Game notes

• This will be the 76th all-time meeting between Arkansas and LSU and 69th since the Razorbacks joined the SEC. Arkansas leads the all-time series, 41-34, and is 37-29 versus the Tigers since joining the SEC. Arkansas has won three straight in the series and four of the last five.

• The Tigers lead 19-13 in games played in Baton Rouge, including 18-12 in SEC action in Baton Rouge.

• Arkansas has played LSU 66 times since joining the SEC. The next closest is Mississippi State (59), followed by Alabama and Ole Miss (56).

• The Razorbacks are 18-13 all-time in SEC openers.

• This will be the third straight year — and the eighth time in 11 years — Arkansas has opened SEC play on the road.

• Arkansas is 6-7 when opening SEC play of the road.

• Arkansas lost last year’s SEC opener (at Mississippi State) but won four straight SEC openers prior to that.

• Arkansas is ranked No. 9/7 which is the program’s best ranking heading into SEC play since being #3 for the 1994-95 SEC opener. Overall, it is the eighth time Arkansas has been ranked when opening SEC played.

• Arkansas has an NCAA NET of 10 (through Dec. 25) thanks to an 11-1 start.

• This is the highest NET for Arkansas since it was instituted.

• Previous highs 14 (3/15 & 4/6/21) • 20 (3/7 & 14/22) • 23 (12/16/19)

• Last year at this time, Arkansas was 90 in the NCAA NET before finishing 21st.

• There are four teams with a league-best record of 11-1 including Arkansas, LSU, Missouri and Mississippi State. Arkansas will play two of those teams ­­— at LSU and vs Mizzou — to start SEC play. Kentucky is the only other team that will start the season versus two SEC teams currently 11-1 — at Mizzou (Dec. 28) before hosting LSU (Jan. 3).

Listen to Hogs-Jayhawks here or ESPN Arkansas radio stations

WHEN: Wednesday, 4:30 p.m.

WHERE: Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium (58,325) in Memphis

SURFACE: AstroTurf

RECORD:S Arkansas 6-6; Kansas 6-6

STREAK: Arkansas lost 1; Kansas lost 3

COACHES: Arkansas: Sam Pittman, 18-17 in third season at Arkansas and overall in Division I; Kansas: Lance Leipold , 8-16 in second season at Kansas and 45-49 in eighth season overall in Division I.

SERIES: Kansas leads 2-0

LAST MEETING: Kansas defeated Arkansas 37-5 on Oct. 13, 1906, in Lawrence, Kan.

RADIO: HitThatLine.com or ESPN Arkansas 99.5 in Fayetteville, 95.3 in the River Valley, 96.3 in Hot Springs and 104.3 in Harrison-Mountain Home with Chuck Barrett (play-by-play), Quinn Grovey (analyst) and Gino Bell (sideline).

TELEVISION: The game will be televised on ESPN with Dave O’Brien (play-by-play), Dan Mullen (analyst) and Taylor McGregor (sideline).

WEATHER: According to the National Weather Service, Wednesday will be sunny with a high of 54 degrees in Memphis and that temperature may drop quickly as the sun sets.

BETTING LINE Arkansas is a 2.5-point favorite, according to BetOnline.ag.

Game Notes

• Arkansas makes its 44th bowl appearance in history when it takes on Kansas in the 2022 Liberty Bowl on Wednesday, Dec. 28, at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, Tenn. The Hogs and Jayhawks kick off at 4:30 p.m. on ESPN and you can hear the game on HitThatLine.com or ESPN 99.5 in Fayetteville, 95.3 in the River Valley, 96.3 in Hot Springs or 104.3 in Harrison-Mountain Home.

• Arkansas is playing in the Liberty Bowl for the sixth time in history, and for the first time since a 45-23 victory over Kansas State on Jan. 2, 2016. The Hogs, who are 16-24-3 all- time in bowl games, are 2-3 all-time in the Liberty Bowl.

• The Razorbacks are making their second straight bowl appearance under head coach Sam Pittman. With Pittman, the Hogs have been invited to a bowl game in three straight seasons. Pittman is one of only four Arkansas coaches in history to start their tenures with three consecutive bowl berths, joining Lou Holt, Ken Hatfield and Houston Nutt.

• Arkansas and Kansas have clashed just twice before, with the most recent meeting between the programs coming 116 years ago. The Jayhawks won, 6-0, in Fayetteville, Ark., in 1905 before snagging a 37-5 win in Lawrence, Kan., in 1906.

• QB KJ Jefferson does his damage through the air and
on the ground. Jefferson has completed 185-of-271 passes (68.3%) for 2,361 yards and 22 touchdowns with just four interceptions while rushing for 510 yards and seven scores in 10 games. Despite missing two games, he is one of only two SEC quarterbacks (Georgia QB Stetson Bennett) with 20 passing touchdowns and seven rushing scores this season.

• RB Raheim ‘Rocket’ Sanders is the Hogs’ leading rusher, totaling 1,426 yards and 10 scores on 219 carries (6.5 avg.) through 12 games. Sanders, who currently ranks second in the SEC in both rushing yards (1,426) and rushing yards per game (118.8), rushed for 100 yards on the ground in six games during the regular season. He also chipped in 28 receptions for 271 yards and two touchdowns, leading the SEC in total all-purpose yards (1,697) this season.

• WR Matt Landers, a transfer from Toledo, has logged
40 catches for a team-leading 780 yards (17.7 avg.) and a team-high seven touchdowns in 12 games. Landers, one of two Razorback pass catchers to finish the regular season with over 700 receiving yards, has 16 catches of 20 or more yards, tied for third-most among all SEC receivers this year.

• DB Dwight McGlothern, a transfer from LSU, leads the Arkansas defense with his ball-hawking prowess, recording a team-high three interceptions and breaking up nine passes during the regular season. His 12 passes defended lead the Razorbacks and are tied for sixth-most in the SEC.

Game notes and information from Arkansas Communications is included in this story.