No. 19 Arkansas defeated No. 23 Cincinnati 31-24 in a nail-biter for Hog fans. QB KJ Jefferson had a huge game, accumulating over 295 total yards and four touchdowns. RB Raheim Sanders put up 117 yards on 20 carries. For Cincinnati, QB Ben Bryant had a solid game after struggling in the first quarter. Bryant collected 325 yards passing and 2 touchdowns. Tyler Scott led the Bearcats in receiving, getting 5 catches for 77 yards.
First Half: Arkansas capitalizes on opportunities
The first half was a slow for both teams. Both offenses struggled and weren’t effective throwing the ball downfield. However, Arkansas was able to capitalize on a couple of opportunities.
Former LSU CB Dwight McGlothern made his mark immediately for the Hogs. He recorded an interception midway through the first quarter and returned it to Cincy’s 30 yard line. Off this turnover, Arkansas was able to score after KJ Jefferson scampered into the end zone from 15 yards out.
While the first half was a low scoring affair for both teams, Cincy had some opportunities to score. The Bearcats had success running and passing it on the perimeter of Arkansas’ defense. They also moved the ball into Arkansas territory three times. However, there were at least two notable occasions where QB Ben Bryant overthrew open receivers that could’ve scored. Also, Cincinnati’s kicker, Ryan Coe, missed two field goals from 25 and 48 yards.
Arkansas was able to score off the two minute drill to end the half. On the scoring play, Jefferson faked the QB run, while TE Trey Knox pretended to lead block and then leaked to the end zone. Next, Jefferson lobbed the ball to Knox in the back of the end zone to make it 14-0 going into halftime.
Second Half: Offenses come alive
The Bearcats came out swinging in the second half. Cincy used some quick game passing concepts to march down the field quickly, and eventually punch in a TD.
Arkansas responded with a TD drive of their own, capped off by a KJ Jefferson TD throw to WR Jadon Haselwood to make it 21-7.
However, Cincy did their best to tie the game. Bryant hit WR Nick Mardner for a 35 yard touchdown to cut it back down to 7. Then Arkansas turned the ball over at their own three yard-line, which put Cincy in prime position to tie the game. But a series of penalties made the Bearcats settle for a field goal.
Arkansas once again tried to push it back to a two possession game, but QB KJ Jefferson missed a TD throw. The Hogs kicked a field goal to extend their lead to seven.
After a couple futile drives by both teams, the Hogs were able to get a takeaway after Ben Bryant fumbled on a sack. The Hogs once again capitalized on the turnover, as Trey Knox scored from 37 yards out. This made it 31-17.
HES A TIGHT END pic.twitter.com/RL7za0fS4t
— Arkansas Razorback Football (@RazorbackFB) September 3, 2022
Cincy scored to once again make it a one possession game, however, the Hogs were able to keep the ball for the rest of the game and come out with the win.
Injuries
A couple of key injuries occurred during the game. Safeties Myles Slusher and Jalen Catalon were both banged up for Arkansas. Both did not return to the game and their statuses remain unclear. Both of these players are important for the Hogs going forward. Arkansas’ secondary struggled against Cincy’s passing attack, and both players are able to break up balls and make plays in the backfield.
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