Will History Repeat Since Razorbacks Struggle in Critical Area

Series should be closer than the 7-2 lead Missouri has since joining SEC.

Author:
Jacob Davis
Publish date:
Nov 24, 2023 11:51 AM EST

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Between catching Arkansas at a mostly down time in program history and a general apathy toward the Tigers, Missouri has built a 7-2 lead in the Battle Line Rivalry and it's because of one main reason – inability to close out the fourth quarter..

Since the series became an annual tradition, Arkansas has either led or tied Missouri in the final stanza four times. My father-in-law, Blake Tolleson, has repeated the same phrase in every game I've ever watched with him: "ABC. Always Be Closing." Members of the X (Twitter) would likely say "He knows ball" because of his turn of the phrase.

Wild finishes began right away when the 2014 Tigers' team needed to defeat the Razorbacks to win their second consecutive SEC Eastern Division title. The Hogs' defense was stuffing opponents at an unprecedented rate late that season. They were so good that an "Arkansas hasn't allowed a point in" clock was placed on the CBS television overlay. Arkansas held opponents scoreless for nine straight quarters and a total of 148 minutes, 58 seconds. Good times.

Arkansas built a 14-3 lead midway through the second quarter on a Brandon Allen pass to Keon Hatcher. However, the Razorbacks' offense didn't score again, wearing out the Arkansas defense with each failed drive. Simply put, Missouri found a way to tie the game at 14 with a 98-yard touchdown drive and take the lead on a 12-yard touchdown by running back Marcus Murphy. The Tigers put up 166 yards of offense on those two drives, which was 40% of their yardage for the game.

The 2016 game will be recalled as one of the many nails in the coffin for Bret Bielema and his tenure in Fayetteville. One major talking points was Arkansas not matching Missouri's intensity.

"I think the thing that was very, very obvious was the tale of two halves," Arkansas coach Bret Bielema said following the loss. "We didn't match the intensity that we needed to in the second half to get this win."

The intensity started early in the week when Missouri linebacker Eric Beisel started trolling their current rival.

“We’re going to take some aggression out on Ar-Kansas this Friday," Beisel said. "This Black Friday. It’s going to be a black-out game. They’re not going to see what’s coming. If they do decide to show up, like I said, it’ll be a huge mistake.”

It was very true as the Tigers continued to fight in the second half while the Razorbacks cowered when the game tightened up. Arkansas took a 24-7 lead at halftime against one of the worst Missouri teams in program history. The 3-8 Tigers fought tooth and nail all the way back taking the lead for good, 28-24 early in the fourth quarter on a one-yard touchdown from running back Nate Strong. Their 267 yards of offense in the second half made up for 67% of their total yards for the game showing a Razorback collapse once again.

In 2017, Missouri was one of the hottest teams in college football, winning five straight games heading into the rivalry tilt. Arkansas played in what would be its last game coached by Bielema. It turned out to be one of the more entertaining games in the series. The Razorbacks led twice in the fourth quarter, but their defense couldn't hold onto a lead against such a potent offense.

Missouri used a methodical 14 play, 75-yard drive that spanned the final 4:55 of regulation. It was capped off with a 19-yard field goal from kicker Tucker McCann with five seconds left to steal another win from the Razorbacks. Quarterback Drew Lock led the Tigers to 697 yards of offense against an Arkansas team that couldn't quite close the deal again.

The 2020 loss might have been the biggest letdown for Arkansas in the entire series. The Razorbacks seemed to flip the switch to cruise control too early once they found themselves up 40-26 in the fourth quarter with 13:15 remaining in regulation. Missouri found instant offense in the form of running back Tyler Badie as they scored 21 points in a matter of 7:56 in the fourth quarter to take a 47-40 lead with just under five minutes to play.

On Arkansas' final possession they escaped potential disaster when Trelon Smith was stripped on second down. Luckily, offensive lineman Myron Cunningham fell on the football to keep the drive alive. Treylon Burks converted on a fourth-and-one at the Missouri 14 to maintain hopes of winning. KJ Jefferson found Mike Woods in the back of the endzone for a touchdown to pull within one. Coach Sam Pittman decided to call a two-point play that saw Jefferson pull off an improbable scramble to find Woods in the back of the endzone.

Sadly, the 47 seconds left on the clock proved to be too much time for Missouri as they marched 60 yards in seven plays to allow kicker Harrison Mevis an opportunity to knockdown a 32-yard field goal to secure another victory. On that day, the Tigers racked up 653 yards of total offense with 297 of those coming in the fourth quarter. For those keeping count at home that is 45% of their offense coming in the final 13:15.

In the final analysis, Arkansas has been out-scored 79-38 and out-gained 1053 yards to 744 in the fourth quarter alone since 2014.