FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The final Arkansas home game of 2022 is upon us, and for the third week in a row, the Razorbacks are trying to secure bowl eligibility. This time, it will be against the No. 14 Ole Miss Rebels, who will look to rebound from a 30-24 loss to Alabama.
Quarterback KJ Jefferson, right tackle Dalton Wagner and nickel back Myles Slusher are all expected to make their returns following absences against LSU last week. The offensive players missed time with injuries, and Slusher was serving a one-week suspension.
As the temperature continues to drop, the contest is on track to be the coldest at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium since Nov. 2, 1991, when Baylor-Arkansas kicked off at 29 degrees, according to Razorback Communications.
From injuries to big plays, HawgBeat has you covered with everything you needed to know from the game:
Pregame
~ As expected, all three aforementioned players (Jefferson, Wagner, Slusher) are present and warming up.
~ Freshman cornerback Quincey McAdoo was returning kicks during warmups.
~ The Rebels won the toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff.
First quarter
13:34 - Arkansas linebacker Drew Sanders falls on a botched Ole Miss handoff, and the Razorbacks take over at the Rebels' 38-yard line.
8:28 - The Razorbacks have their first lead of the game, as KJ Jefferson completes to Matt Landers for an 8-yard touchdown to cap off a seven-play, 69-yard drive.
3:44 - Jefferson hits Landers in stride for a 23-yard touchdown pass. The wideout's second score of the game makes it a two-possession game.
2:00 - The Rebels are on the scoreboard with a 45-yard Jonathan Cruz field goal, cutting the margin to 11 points.
Second quarter
14:03 - Jefferson completes a high-arcing ball to Ketron Jackson Jr. for his third touchdown pass of the half. Cam Little improves to 3-3 on extra points, and the Razorbacks' lead is 18 points.
11:11 - Cruz sends a kick from 39 yards away wide right, and the Hogs take over at their own 21-yard line. The Razorbacks have held the Rebels to 2-6 on third down.
4:38 - Cruz drills a 32-yard attempt, improving to 2-3 on the night and bringing the deficit to 15 points.
2:28 - Two plays after having a 50-yard score wiped out, Rocket Sanders scores from 20 yards away to make it a three-score game. It is the sophomore running back's first touchdown since Oct. 15.
1:07 - Jaxson Dart fires over the middle to a waiting Drew Sanders, who returns the interception over midfield.
0:05 - The Razorbacks find the end zone for the fifth time in the first half. Rocket Sanders has his second rushing touchdown of the night, an 8-yard carry to make it a four-score game.
Third quarter
14:16 - Rocket Sanders scores on the second play of the second half, a 68-yard scamper to make it two touchdowns for him in less than a minute of game time.
13:43 - The Razorbacks have turned Ole Miss over for a third time tonight. Cornerback Dwight McGlothern forces and recovers a fumble, and it is Arkansas ball in plus territory.
10:45 - Cam Little send a 47-yard field goal attempt wide right. The margin remains at 36 points.
5:35 - The Razorback defense stands strong, forcing a turnover on downs in a goal-to-go situation. Ole Miss has yet to score a touchdown.
Fourth quarter
14:02 - The Rebels finally cross the goal line. Quinshon Judkins notches his 16th rushing touchdown of the season, but the Hogs hold them to six points after a failed two-point conversion attempt.
8:02 - Zach Evans takes it 48 yards to the house for the second Rebel touchdown of the quarter. The two-point try is successful, and the margin is 22 points.
2:55 - Jaxson Dart completes a 13-yard touchdown pass to Malik Heath. The PAT was good by Jonathan Cruz.
