Jefferson's Historic Night Powers Hogs Past Valiant FIU Challenge

Offense overcomes sluggish start to cruise to first comfortable victory in recent memory

Author:
Daniel Shi
Updated:
Nov 18, 2023 11:16 PM EST
Original:
Nov 18, 2023

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — If Arkansas fans thought FIU was going to be a much-needed break from stiff SEC competition, they were sorely mistaken. As so many times this season, the Razorbacks started slower of the two teams, but a defensive touchdown came to the rescue once again to swing momentum and ensure a 44-20 win, their first victory at Razorback Stadium since week 2 against Kent State in front of an announced crowd of 61,442 that was nowhere near that in actual attendance.

"It was nice to get a win for our crowd," coach Sam Pittman said. "Coming in from the Hog Walk, they were exceptional. A lot of people out there, and I appreciate the noise and how our fans helped us win the game."

With Arkansas locked in a 14-13 battle, defensive back Alfahiym Walcott ripped the ball from a Florida International receiver and returned the interception from off the receiver's back for Arkansas' fifth defensive touchdown of the year, good for tops in the country.

FIU showed no fear from the opening drive, opting to go for it on fourth-and-3 from inside their own 35-yard line, Although, the Arkansas defense got the stop and handed the Razorback a short field and allowed KJ Jefferson to set the program record for both career touchdowns and passing yards with a 10-yard strike to Jaedon Wilson.

"Extreme shout-out to my teammates and grace to God as well," Jefferson said after breaking the record. "He’s given me a gift and I’m taking advantage of it and using it to the best of my abilities."

The Razorbacks' early 7-0 lead would be where the good news ended for the first 15 minutes. After the opening drive, Arkansas was held to just 37 yards of offense for the rest of the quarter.

FIU's offense continued the Razorbacks' misery on defense from a week ago as the 7-0 Hog lead was short-lived. Quarterback Keyone Jenkins found wide receiver Kris Mitchell for a catch and run for 80 yards, setting up FIU at the Arkansas 1-yard line. It was promptly converted into a touchdown by Jenkins to tie it, 7-7.

While the Razorback offense went into its weekly first-quarter slumber, FIU manufactured a nine-play, 75-yard drive to take the lead. The drive was capped off by a 12-yard pass to receiver Dean Patterson for a 13-7 advantage (extra point missed).

Arkansas finally showed signs of a pulse on the ensuing drive to the minuscule crowd that showed up at Razorback Stadium. Jefferson and company marched down the field in 12 plays, including completions to four different receivers on the drive (Isaiah Sategna, Andrew Armstrong, Nathan Bax). The drive was finished with a Tyrone Broden 4-yard touchdown pass for a 14-13 lead.

After the Walcott fumble touchdown, the defense forced a three-and-out and finally found their groove moving the ball down the field with consistency. However, the drive stalled with a 31-yard field goal to extend the lead to 24-13 with 4:46 to play in the first half.

Arkansas forced a third straight three-and-out on the following drive. Pittman then opted to go for it on 4th & 2, leading to a 31-yard touchdown run up the middle by running back Dominique Johnson, his first in nearly two years. It capped a dominant stretch of play with 24 unanswered points and while outgaining FIU 195-68 in the second quarter.

Despite the momentum, Arkansas coverage issues allowed two big plays that allowed the Panthers to shrink the gap. A 46-yard run from running back Kejon Owens off a direct snap broke the Razorbacks' run of points and set up FIU to draw back within 11, 31-20. Mitchell caught a 12-yard pass, and his monster day finished with six catches for 157 yards.

Arkansas left points out on the field its first two drives of the second half with back-to-back field goal misses from kicker Cam Little, including the shortest miss of his career. (34 yards), wasting big runs by freshman running back Isaiah Augustave who finished over the century mark for the first time thanks to a late push on the final drive.

"Everyone was like 'He’s got 88, he’s got 88 yards.'” offensive lineman Brady Latham said. We were all like 'Coach put him in! Put him in!' We’ve got to get to 100 (yards) so he ended up getting to 100 and we got over 300 (rushing yards). It was a good day."

It took nearly 11 games, but Sategna finally got to showcase his blazing speed, catching a 32-yard touchdown strike over the middle for his lone catch of the game to restore an 18-point buffer.

Walcott came down with his second interception late in the third quarter, killing what was left of FIU's momentum to close out a 44-20 win.

The Razorbacks conclude the 2023 season inside Razorback Stadium against Missouri Friday, Nov. 24. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. and will be broadcast on CBS and FuboTV.