FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas had every chance to win.
The Razorbacks built a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter, but mistakes and penalties turned a strong start into heartbreak.
Mississippi State came back to win 38-35 on an 18-yard touchdown pass with just 18 seconds left Saturday night at Razorback Stadium.
The Razorbacks (2-7, 0-5 SEC) played one of their best offensive games of the season, but 18 penalties for 193 yards — both school records — proved too much to overcome.
The loss dropped Arkansas to 0-5 in conference play and stretched its losing streak to seven games overall. They will finish the season on the road against LSU and Texas before wrapping it up Nov. 29 at home against Missouri.
Interim coach Bobby Petrino said after the game that discipline was the biggest problem.
“When you put yourself behind the sticks with that many penalties, it’s impossible to sustain,” Petrino said. “We’ve got to stop beating ourselves.”
Arkansas starts fast with balanced offense
Arkansas’ offense looked sharp early. Quarterback Taylen Green threw two touchdowns and ran for another, helping the Razorbacks take a 28-14 lead late in the third quarter.
Running back Mike Washington Jr. added a 20-yard touchdown run, and receiver Rohan Jones caught a scoring pass that had the home crowd of nearly 70,000 roaring.
The Razorbacks gained 453 yards of total offense, their second-highest mark of the season.
The offensive line gave Green time to throw, and the defense forced two turnovers in the first half. For most of the night, it looked like Arkansas would finally earn its first SEC win of the year.
Then came the mistakes. False starts, holding calls and defensive pass interference flags piled up. Ten penalties came in the second half alone, many at key moments.
One roughing-the-passer call wiped out an interception that would have ended a Mississippi State drive.
Asked about the officiating, Petrino gave a short answer.
“You know I can’t say anything. That’s how they handcuff you. I’d just say watch the video,” he told reporters.
Mississippi State takes advantage
Mississippi State (5-4, 1-4 SEC) didn’t waste its chances.
Quarterback Blake Shapen and receiver Anthony Evans III connected for five catches and 111 yards, including the game-winning score. The Bulldogs scored three touchdowns in the final 13 minutes to complete the comeback.
When Shapen briefly left the game in the third quarter, backup Kamario Taylor kept the offense moving, leading two scoring drives.
“We knew we had the right matchups,” Bulldogs coach Jeff Lebby said. “Blake made the throw we needed when it mattered most.”
The win was Mississippi State’s first SEC victory since 2023 — also against Arkansas. For the Razorbacks, it was another painful example of a game slipping away late.
Arkansas’ defense struggled late, giving up 24 points in the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs outgained the Razorbacks 203-61 in the final quarter and controlled the ball for nearly 10 minutes.
Razorbacks’ penalties prove costly
The 18 penalties set a school record and erased several big plays. A 40-yard touchdown pass from Green to Isaiah Satania was wiped out by a holding call. Another long gain on a screen pass was negated by a block in the back.
“Eighteen flags — that’s completely unacceptable,” Petrino said. “You can’t win football games playing behind the chains like that. We’ll get that fixed.”
Satania finished with 112 receiving yards, but Arkansas couldn’t build on his performance. Fans booed as the team left the field, while Mississippi State players celebrated on the Razorback logo.
The Razorbacks now lead the SEC in total penalty yards for the season.
It’s a trend that has frustrated players and fans throughout a year full of close losses.
What’s next for the Hogs
The loss leaves Arkansas with two games left to try to finish the season on a positive note.
The Razorbacks travel to LSU on Nov. 15 before hosting Missouri in the regular-season finale. They must win both to avoid their first two-win season since 2019.
Despite the disappointment, Petrino said his players still believe in finishing strong. “We’ve still got games left to play,” he said. “There’s no quit in that locker room.”
Mississippi State, now 5-4 overall, hosts Georgia next week with a chance to reach bowl eligibility under Lebby, who earned his first SEC win as a head coach.
Key takeaways
- Penalties cost Arkansas again: The Razorbacks set a school record with 18 penalties for 193 yards.
- Fourth-quarter meltdown: Arkansas gave up 24 points in the final 13 minutes after leading by 14.
- Focus on discipline: Coach Bobby Petrino said cutting down on mistakes is the top priority before facing LSU.
