Arkansas football drops regular-season finale at Missouri, loses Battle Line Rivalry

Christina Long, Fort Smith Times Record
·3 min read
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Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson throws a pass during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against Missouri Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Arkansas football's defense had been on a tear late in the season. The Razorbacks played nine straight quarters across three games with only one touchdown allowed.

That stout defense was absent for most of the game against Missouri on Saturday, as the Razorbacks ended the regular season with a 29-27 loss that extended their losing streak at Faurot Field to five games.

The Tigers put up 20 points in the first half, including two touchdowns. That first-half scoring total was more points than Missouri scored in five of its full games this season.

Missouri (6-6, 3-5 SEC) leads the league in tackles for loss allowed, but Arkansas' defensive front struggled to contain quarterback Brady Cook or the Missouri running game. The Razorbacks (6-6, 3-5) allowed 226 rushing yards to an offense that averaged 152 per game before Friday.

Arkansas didn't have an answer for Cook, whether he was throwing the ball or running it. He set a career high in rushing yards when there were still seven minutes to go in the first half and had a team-best 125 at the break. Cook finished with 242 yards and one touchdown passing, plus 138 yards and one touchdown rushing.

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Missouri slows down Razorback running game

Missouri's defense lives in the backfield, and the Tigers entered Friday's game leading the SEC in tackles for loss. Coach Sam Pittman said in the leadup to the game that Missouri tends to make opponents throw the ball, and the Tigers did just that.

Running back Raheim "Rocket" Sanders had a season-low 10 carries for 47 yards less than one week after he put up more than 230 against Ole Miss. He had a touchdown, but it was an 8-yard reception, not a run.

KJ Jefferson couldn't get much ground, either. Missouri sacked him a season-high seven times for minus-36 yards. He had 38 yards on the ground and a 3-yard rushing touchdown.

Offense can't capitalize

For all its early struggles, the defense gave Arkansas' offense some opportunities to get back in the game.

Twice in the second half, Missouri got the ball with great field position. Both times, the Tigers had to settle for a field goal.

Missouri got the ball at the Arkansas 29 after Jefferson threw an interception in the third quarter. The Tigers scored on a 17-yard run, but it was called back for a hold. The defense stood up, and Missouri settled for 3 points.

Arkansas also settled for three points on its ensuing drive.

In the fourth quarter, the Tigers got the ball at the Arkansas 35 after partially blocking a punt. Their drive ended on the Arkansas 37 thanks in part to a Drew Sanders sack. Harrison Mevis missed the 55-yard field goal attempt, and Arkansas stayed within two.

The Razorbacks went three-and-out on offense after the miss.

Up next

Arkansas will learn its bowl destination on Dec. 4.

Christina Long covers the Arkansas Razorbacks for the Southwest Times Record and USA TODAY Network. You can follow her on Twitter @christinalong00 or email her at clong@swtimes.com.

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Arkansas football drops regular-season finale vs Missouri Tigers