LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Arkansas turned a long-anticipated in-state matchup into a comfortable win Saturday, beating Arkansas State 56–14 at War Memorial Stadium behind a five-touchdown day from quarterback Taylen Green and another fast start from a defense that set the tone early.
The Razorbacks led 28–7 after the first quarter and finished with a 630–285 edge in total yardage.
Green accounted for 390 yards, going 17 of 26 for 239 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions while rushing nine times for 151 yards and another score.
His 64-yard keeper in the opening quarter pushed Arkansas ahead 21–7 and underscored the physical advantage the Razorbacks carried at the line of scrimmage.
Receivers O’Mega Blake, Jalen Brown, Raylen Sharpe and Rohan Jones hauled in touchdown passes, while Mike Washington (nine carries, 116 yards) and Braylen Russell added rushing production.
Arkansas (2–0) scored on its first four possessions and seven of 10 overall. Backup quarterback KJ Jackson directed an eight-play, 99-yard march in the fourth quarter, finishing the drive with a rushing score to punctuate a complete performance that included four sacks and 10 tackles for loss defensively.
Red Wolves quarterback Jaylen Raynor finished 21 of 33 for 125 yards with two interceptions and led Arkansas State with 38 rushing yards.
The Red Wolves’ biggest moment came on special teams when Chauncy Cobb returned a kickoff 98 yards for a first-quarter touchdown; he also led A-State with 50 receiving yards.
Arkansas limited explosive plays after halftime and twice turned the Red Wolves away in the red zone, including a final stop inside the last minute.
“Very appreciative of our fans — it felt like a home game,” Arkansas coach Sam Pittman said. “We knew the significance of this game to the state of Arkansas… our second offense came in there on the 1-yard line and went 99 yards. Then our second defense at the end, they didn’t score at the end.”
Green’s pace, defense’s pressure define the day
Green’s blend of power running and timely downfield throws continued to show in Week 2.
Arkansas averaged 11.1 yards per carry as a team and 10.7 yards per pass attempt, converting five of six third downs while holding the ball for just 22:50. The Razorbacks didn’t need long drives; after three possessions, they had 235 yards on only 10 plays.
Team figures from the ESPN box score mirrored the lopsided final — 29 first downs to A-State’s 23 and a clean 2–2 turnover split.
Up front, edge pressure and interior penetration disrupted Arkansas State’s timing. Arkansas registered four sacks and consistently put Raynor behind the chains. Linebacker Xavian Sorey Jr. and defensive back Julian Neal each made interceptions as Arkansas forced hurried reads and limited yards after the catch.
History at War Memorial, and what’s next
The game was the first on-field meeting between the state’s two FBS programs and arrived amid renewed attention on Little Rock dates in the program’s scheduling mix.
Local outlets framed the matchup as a capstone occasion for War Memorial, with a charged atmosphere and quick scoring flurries in the opening quarter.
Field Level Media and Associated Press recaps echoed the statistical picture — Green as the central figure, special-teams spark from A-State, and an Arkansas defense that kept the Red Wolves out of rhythm for most of the day.
Arkansas turns to SEC play next week on the road at Ole Miss.
Key takeaways
• Taylen Green’s dual-threat efficiency carried the offense: four TD passes, 151 rushing yards and a 64-yard score.
• Defense controlled situational downs with four sacks, 10 TFLs and two interceptions to blunt A-State’s rhythm.
• Special teams swing was brief: Chauncy Cobb’s 98-yard return cut the deficit, but Arkansas answered and kept control.
