Hog Transfer Receivers Shine in Anniversary Game at War Memorial Stadium

Razorback Football looked to open season strong against FCS opponent

Author:
Daniel Shi
Updated:
Sep 2, 2023 5:57 PM EDT
Original:
Sep 2, 2023

In this story:

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The game was over, in the parking lot when the team buses pulled in Friday to War Memorial Stadium long before opening kick. There would be no revisiting of old nightmares of losing to FCS schools for Hog fans.

After months of waiting, in front of an announced crowd of 44,397, Arkansas took little time to make the talent gap apparent between the two squads at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. Junior linebacker Jaheim Thomas started the season off with a tackle for loss, leading to a three-and-out.

When the Hogs got the ball, they gave it back just as quickly. That's because it took just two plays and 36 seconds to score a touchdown. Newcomers tight end Luke Hasz and wide receiver transfer Jaedon Wilson caught back-to back passes to put the Hogs up early 7-0 and gave quarterback KJ Jefferson his first passing touchdown of the year. He also completed his first 12 passes and finished the day 18 of 23 for 246 yards and threw for three touchdowns.

"We did a really good job," Jefferson said. "I think we came out and executed our game plan.... In the past, (in) early games as an offense we haven't been starting fast. Lingering around and waiting. We came out this week with a big emphasis on starting fast."

The game fell into a predictable pattern. Western Carolina would fail to get a first down until 2:56 left in the first quarter, thanks to an Arkansas defensive penalty. Arkansas continued to put the ball in the end zone. On the second drive, the Razorbacks had their first look at junior running back Raheim 'Rocket' Sanders, who had four carries on the drive including a three-yard touchdown run to double the Hog lead.

After a rare three-and-out by the Hogs, the defense quickly procured the ball back. Redshirt senior Hudson Clark picked off quarterback Cole Gonzales at the Western Carolina 31, who progressively got more flustered as the quarter continued.

"You can depend on him (Clark)," Pittman said. "He's so smart. He knows everything. He made a nice pick. He's a guy you can just count on. I'm really proud he's on the team. He's one of the most popular guys on the team; everybody loves him and you would too. He does everything right."

Jefferson took advantage of the short field and found senior Issac TeSlaa in the back of the end zone the very next play for his first career touchdown in a Hog uniform.

Two defensive penalties allowed the Catamounts to move the ball for the first time. Kicker Richard McCollum nailed a 32-yard field goal with 15 seconds left to put Western Carolina on the board 21-3.

Gonzales started to find his stride a little in the second quarter. Known for being a game manager, he completed a few checkdowns and managed to get a first down without the aid of a flag, but the drive stalled at the Arkansas 39. Western Carolina punted for the fourth time in their first six drives.

The smooth-oiled Razorback offense hit a snag. Despite two touchdowns, Sanders only had 11 carries for 15 yards. After getting pinned deep in their own territory, another three-and-out forced sophomore punter Max Fletcher to give the ball back with decent field position. It was a moot point as senior cornerback Dwight McGlothern came up with the second pick of the day.

Jefferson reminded everyone of his dual-threat ability, running for a 17-yard touchdown right up the middle, Arkansas' longest run of the first half and stretched the lead to 28-3 with 2:56 to play in the half.

Western Carolina running back Branson Adams looked to have broken out for the Catamounts' largest play of the day with a 22-yard rush but fumbled the ball, allowing freshman nickel TJ Metcalf to recover and capitalize on the third turnover forced in the first half. Rocket Sanders capped off a near-flawless half of football with a touchdown just as time expired to lead 35-3.

The Catamounts came out of the intermission looking to salvage some pride, and they started the better of the two squads. Their first sack of the day from linebacker Ed Jones IV led to Western Carolina getting the ball back and marching down the field in six plays and just 2:12 to get the Catamounts into the end zone for the first time. Gonzales also had his longest completion of the day with 40 yards. The drive was finished with a two-yard touchdown run from sophomore running back Desmond Reid.

If TeSlaa was impressive in the first half, fellow senior transfer receiver Andrew Armstrong was equal to him in the second half. Jefferson found Armstrong for two separate 16-yard completions the ensuing series, including one for a touchdown as the Hogs responded straight away. to lead 42-10. TeSlaa and Armstrong combined for eight catches for 144 yards.

The rest of the game was largely academic. The most notable event was redshirt sophomore Chris 'Pooh' Paul getting ejected for targeting, he will miss the first half of next week's game against Kent State.

The running backs continued to struggle. Between Sanders, Jefferson, sophomore Rashod Dubinion, juniors AJ Green and Dominque Johnson all combined for 31 carries and just 85 yards. The Catamounts defense last year allowed 182.7 yards of rushing largely facing FCS opponents.

"We couldn't get to their safeties," Pittman said. "We didn't get great movement on our inside runs."

With the game in hand freshmen and backups were allowed to shine. Junior quarterback Jacoby Criswell took over with 11:46 left in the fourth quarter and promptly pitched in with a 14-yard pass to receiver Davion Dozier. Receiver Isaiah Sategna also flashed his speed and special teams prowess with a 39-yard punt return. Linebacker Brad Spence applied the coup de grâce with the fourth interception (and fifth turnover), this one returned 85 yards to the house for a pick-six for a 56-13 win.

"Our coaches preach going to get the ball," junior defensive back Jayden Johnson said. "Turnovers, that was our main focus for today."

The Razorbacks will look to carry the momentum into the home opener against Kent State at Donald W. Reynolds Stadium in Fayetteville on Saturday, Sept. 9 at 3 p.m. The game will be streamed on SEC Network.